GERMAN PINSCHER Picture coming soon ORIGIN AND PURPOSE: One of the first examples of the breed came from Western Europe in 1472, on a copper engracing of the thorn crowning Lucas Franach, who was accompanied by two German Pinschers. It is believed the German Pinscher exested long before then. In his homeland of Germany, the German Pinscher was renowned as a ratter, hunter of rats and vermin. The name Pinscher" originated from a trait of the breed; the paws are used to reach for the "catch" (i.e., rats or mice) as well as in play. GENERAL APPEARANCE: A powerful smooth coated dog, elegant in appearance, with a strong square build. Each animal gives a definite impression of masculinity or femininity according to its sex. An afile, active watchdog of medium size, his deliberate calmness paired with natural protectiveness, makes the German Pinscher loyal to master and family, as well as an excellent working dog. The German Pinscher should be set up and shown on the ground. TEMPERAMENT: The German Pinscher has an inherent desire to protect his home and family. Alert and vigilent, deliberate and wary of strangers. He has fearless courage and tenacity if threatened. A very active dog, but not an excessive barker. He should not show viciousness by unwarranted or unprovoked attack. The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious dog. Aggressive behavior toward another dog is not deemed as viciousness. SIZE: The ideal height at the highest point of the withers should be 17 to 20 inches. Size should be penalized in accordance with the degree it deviates from the ideal. More than one inch above or below the ideal should be severely penalized. COAT AND COLOR: Coat - Short and dense, smoothly fitting, glossy without bald spots. Color - Isabella, fawn to Stag Red (red with intermingling of black hairs) in various shades. In the reds, a rich vibrant medium to dark shade is preferred. Black or blue with redish tan markings. In bi-colored dogs sharply marked red/tan markings Markings distributed as follows: at cheeks, lips, lower jaw, above eyes, at throat, at forechest two triangles separated from each other, at metatarsis, forelegs, feet, innerside of hind legs and vent region. Pencil markings on toes are acceptable. White markings anyplace on the dog (i few white hairs do not constitute a marking) are undesirable. HEAD: Skull: Seen from the front and side resembles a blunt wedge. Strong but not heavy. Elongated without pronounced occiput. The stop is slight but distinct. Overall length of head should be one half the length of the back (from withers to base of tail, bithces may be slightly longer. Muzzle: Top of muzzle parallel with extended line of unwrinkled, flat forehead. The cheeks are muscled and flat. Nose: Full, wide and dark. Mouth: Lips - tight dark and close fitting. Bite- A scissor or level bite with complete dentation. The judge should inspect for proper bite. Eyes: Oval shaped and as dark as possible of medium size without the appearance of buldging. Ears: Evenly shaped, set high and carried erect when cropped. V-shaped folded down close to the head or carried upright if uncropped. NECK: Elegant and strong, neither short nor stout, nape well arched, skin of throat tight without dewlap. FOREOUARTERS: Well laid back shoulders with good but flat muscle. Forelegs straight when viewed from all sides. Feet turn neither in nor out; catlike, well rounded and short with hard pads. BODY: Length of body approximately equal to height at withers. Chest moderately wide with brisket extending to elbow. Forechest extends beyond point of shoulder. Distance from height of withers to the elbow should approximate the distance from the elbow to the ground. Tuck up not to be excessive. Topline - Tight level back, twice the length of the head and slightly rounded croup. HINDQUARTERS: Seen from behind parallel, with sufficient width. Upper thigh slanted and strongly muscled. Good length and bend of stifle, hocks turning neither in nor out. TAIL: Set and carried high. Customarily docked between the second and third joints. GAIT: Sound, strong, free, well balanced gait, with good reach in front. At a trot the back remains firm and level, without swaying, rolling or roaching. Front and hind legs should not be thrown outward. Hackney movement is undisireable. When viewed from the rear, the feet, though they appear to travel close, must not cross or strike one another. FAULTS: The judge shall dismiss from the ring any shy or vicious dog. Aggressive behavior toward another dog is not deemed as viciousness.   More than one inch above or below the ideal should be severely penalized. White markings anyplace on the dog (a few white hairs do not constitute a marking)are undesireable. Hocks turning either in or out. At a trot the back remains firm and level, without swaying, rolling or roaching. Front and hind legs should not be thrown outward. Hackney movement is undisireable. When viewed from the rear, the feet, though they appear to travel close, must not cross or strike one another. The foregoing description is that of the ideal German Pinscher. Any deviation from this is to be penalized to the extent of the deviation. DISQUALIFICATIONS: Not given.