View source for Pinscher

{{Short description|Dog type}}
[[File:Bungartz-Pinscher.jpg|thumb|[[German Pinscher]] and [[Miniature Pinscher]], breeds of the Pinscher group. Before 1888.]]
The '''Pinscher''' is a group of German [[list of dog breeds|dog breeds]], developed originally as [[ratter (dog)|ratter]]s on farms or as [[guard dogs]]. In the twenty-first century they are commonly kept as [[companion animal]]s.

== Origins ==

It is considered that the [[German Pinscher]] is a prototypical Pinscher and one of the oldest German breeds, more closely related to the [[Standard Schnauzer]] (once known as the Wire-Haired Pinscher) than the [[Dobermann]] and other Pinschers.<ref name="AKCGermanPinscher">{{cite web |url=https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/german-pinscher/ |title=German Pinscher |publisher=[[American Kennel Club]] |access-date=29 May 2018 |quote=The German Pinscher is among its homeland’s oldest breeds. As the progenitor of the Miniature Pinscher and the ever-popular Doberman, among other German breeds, it can be said to be the prototypical pinscher. (A helpful historian tells us that “ ‘pinscher’ appears to be a Germanic form of the French word ‘pincer,’ meaning "to seize" or "to nip".) And seizing and nipping are apt descriptions of how GPs originally earned a living: rat killing...The German Pinscher originated in Germany and is more closely associated to the Schnauzer than the Doberman and other Pinschers.}}</ref> Since the mid-19th century, breeders stopped crossbreeding these coat types, and with the formation of the German Pinscher-Schnauzer-Club (PSK) in 1895, advanced them to distinct breed varieties.<ref name="MPCA">{{cite web |url=http://www.minpin.org/?page_id=23832 |title=Miniature Pinscher History & Characteristics: History of the Breed |publisher=Miniature Pinscher Club of America |access-date=29 May 2018 |quote=Part of the confusion in origin comes from the word "pinscher", which is a descriptive term like "settler" or "terrier" that denotes the dog's method of working, not his heritage. "Pinscher" refers to a dog's habit of jumping on, and fiercely biting its quarry. A definition in Henne's ''Dictionary of the German Language'' indicates that Pinscher is "borrowed from the English word pincher, meaning one who pinches, nips or tweaks."}}</ref>

==Etymology==
There are several theories on the etymology of the word Pinscher; that it derives from French "pincer", meaning "to seize" and "to nip",<ref name="AKCGermanPinscher"/> or "to bite" and "to grip" which are possibly related to their function of catching vermin on the farm,<ref name="KennelClub">{{cite web |url=https://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/services/public/breed/display.aspx?id=5171 |title=German Pinscher: Description |work=[[The Kennel Club]] |access-date=28 May 2018 |quote=The word pinscher means 'to bite' or 'to grip' and it was used to describe the breed's original function as a killer of rats and other vermin.}}</ref> that it derives from English "pinch" referring to their [[Cropping (animal)|clipped ears]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/pinscher |title=Pinscher |publisher=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]] |access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> "fox terrier" type of dog (considered that it was a descriptive term meaning "settler" or "terrier" dog method of working, and not heritage<ref name="MPCA"/>),<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/dobermann%20pinscher |title=Dobermann Pinscher |publisher=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]] |access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref> or biter,{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} although the verb "pinch" has the same early 13th century Old North French ''*pinchier'' derivation, which itself possibly originates from Vulgar Latin.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.etymonline.com/word/pinch?ref=etymonline_crossreference |title=Pinch |publisher=[[Online Etymology Dictionary]]v|access-date=29 May 2018}}</ref>

==Breeds==
The [[Fédération Cynologique Internationale]] recognizes the following pinscher breeds in Group 2, Section 1: Pinschers and Schnauzers, Section 1.1 Pinscher:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fci.be/en/nomenclature/2-Pinscher-and-Schnauzer-Molossoid-and-Swiss-Mountain-and-Cattledogs.html#s1 |title=Group 2 : Pinscher and Schnauzer – Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs |publisher=FCI |access-date=28 May 2018}}</ref>
*[[Austrian Pinscher]] (Österreichischer Pinscher, no. 64)
*[[Dobermann]] (no. 143)
*[[German Pinscher]] (Deutscher Pinscher, no. 184)
*[[Miniature Pinscher]] (Zwergpinscher, no. 185)
*[[Affenpinscher]] (no. 186)

Provisional:
*[[Danish Swedish Farmdog|Danish-Swedish Farmdog]] (Dansk-svensk gårdshund, no. 356)<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fci.be/nomenclature.aspx |title=Fédération Cynologique Internationale Breeds Provisionally Accepted |website=www.fci.be}}</ref>
*In addition, the [[Harlequin Pinscher]] was earlier accepted by the FCI, but it was officially removed after its extinction.

There may be other related hunting dogs called ''pinscher'' that are not recognized breeds. In addition, individual breeders often attempt the creation of new breeds which they may call pinschers. One example of these is the [[Carlin Pinscher]], which has been developed by crossing the [[Pug]] with the [[Miniature Pinscher]], or other similar breeds.

==Gallery==
<gallery perrow="5" class="center">
File:Oostenrijkse pinscher.jpg|[[Austrian Pinscher]]
File:Dobermann handling.jpg|[[Dobermann]]
File:Bvdb-duitse pincher.jpg|[[German Pinscher]]s
File:Miniature pinscher.jpg|[[Miniature Pinscher]]
File:Affenpinscher.jpg|[[Affenpinscher]]
</gallery>

== References ==
{{reflist}}


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{{Terriers}}
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[[Category:Dog types]]