The miniature pinscher (zwergpinscher, min pin) is a small breed of dog originating from Germany. The breed's earliest ancestors may have included the German Pinscher mixed with Italian greyhounds and dachshunds. The international kennel club, the Fédération Cynologique Internationale, lists the miniature pinscher in Group 2, Section 1.1 Pinscher, along with the Doberman pinscher, the German Pinscher, the Austrian Pinscher, and the other toy pinscher, the affenpinscher. Other kennel clubs list the miniature pinscher in the Toy Group or Companion Group. The miniature pinscher is colloquially known as the "King of the Toys". Any group of three or more miniature pinscher dogs together are considered a "gang".
History
Historical artifacts and paintings indicate that the "min pin" is a very old breed, but factual documentation begins less than 200 years ago, which leaves the breed's actual origins open to debate. There is a drawing by Jean Bungartz, published in 1888 comparing the Miniature Pinscher to the German Pinscher.
