“Miniature Pinscher Poodle mix”
The product of crossbreeding a Miniature Pinscher with a Toy or Standard Poodle, a Pinny Poo can vary in size – from tiny to medium – depending on the size of the parents. The designer breed is also called Pinnypoo or Pini Poo.
Pini Poos are good watchdogs because of their possessive and protective nature. Their coat can be either short (similar to the Min Pin) or long (similar to the Poodle). They sport an elongated face that ends in a dark, prominent muzzle, and tiny bead-like eyes.
Very short hair cover their triangular ears that hang down. Because of their good behavior and other characteristics, Pini Poos are the ideal pets for apartment dwellers.
Parents
Miniature Pinscher:
Originally from Germany, the Miniature Pinscher was bred primarily to hunt for vermin, mainly rats, in stables and homes. A lot of people believe that the Min Pin came about through breeding Dobermans to progressively smaller proportions. Thus, Min Pins look similar to Dobermans. The Min Pin, however, is a much older and distinct breed.
Because of his self-assured mien and stately appearance, the Miniature Pinscher is called the “King of Toys.” He is a fearless, alert and energetic companion dog who craves for the company of his human family. Once you get well-acquainted with your Min Pin puppy, you’ll immediately discover the dog’s “Min Pins rule” attitude.
The tiny, elegant pooch with a muscular body and an arched neck weighs only from 8 to 11 lbs. But, the toy breed is one tough little doggy that is brimming with attitude!
Poodle:
Proud, elegant, and clever. – These are the adjectives that best describe these impressive dogs. Proof of this are the many dog show events and contests that the breed has dominated.
Behind the fancy hair-do, medals and blue ribbons, and regal attitude, however, is just an affectionate family dog blessed with a lot of talent and a rich ancient history.
Poodles are considered as among the world’s most intelligent breeds. They are highly trainable, and can take on practically any task you ask them to do. In fact, you’ll enjoy giving them tasks, and watching them complete the tasks.
When bored, however, Poodles can be destructive. Thus, they should always get their daily dose of physical and mental stimulation. If you are an active owner who can provide for his needs, you will find your Poodle to be a smart, trainable, loving, and loyal member of your family.
Today’s poodles tend to be associated with a life of luxury and leisure. But, make no mistake about it. Poodles are real dogs that have been bred to perform real jobs. When you look at a well-primped-up Poodle performing in the show ring, it may be difficult to imagine that the dog was originally intended to be a water retriever. The job requires diving into the water and fetching waterfowl for game hunters.
Appearance
The size of a Pinny Poo can range from small to medium, depending on the type of Poodle he has for a parent. They can weigh anywhere between 5 and 45 lbs., and stand from 8 to 18” tall.
The Pini Poo has round, small amber or brown eyes, long floppy ears, and a pointed snout with a black or brown nose. The coat can be long or of medium length, dense, and may come in a variety of colors like black, white, blue, silver, red, brown, gray, apricot, cream, sable, lemon, fawn, orange, pied, and brindle. The fur is often wavy, bat can sometimes be straight, depending on the parent breed. Like the Poodle, it may also be hypoallergenic.
Life Expectancy
The average life expectancy of a Pinny Poo is anywhere between 10 and 15 years. With proper love and care, you may enjoy the company of your little furry friend for a longer than expected period of time.
Behavior
Just like his Miniature Pinscher parent, the Pin Poo is highly energetic, with enough energy to last the whole day. In general, he is quiet, but may bark aloud to draw his owner’s attention if there is a stranger around. He may also bark to alert the owner if there is anything suspicious. The Pin Poo likewise wouldn’t allow anyone to handle his belongings.
In general, the Pinny Poo is good with kids. But, it isn’t safe to allow him to play with your children. This is because the kids may handle the pooch roughly, which may hurt the tiny dog or cause an accident.
Pin Poos don’t always fare well with other breeds. Sometimes, they can demonstrate that they are smart enough to mingle with other family pets like cats.
A Pinnie Poo dog makes a great companion for the entire family. He is known for his sweet disposition and caring nature. He is quite protective of his loved ones, and would always crave to spend some time with them.
Ideal Environment
Because of their diminutive size, Pinny Poos don’t need a lot of space to be comfortable. Thus, they are ideal for apartment dwelling, but it wouldn’t hurt if you have a small yard where your puppy can play and use up his energy.
Although your Pini Poo can adapt to all types of weather condition, he might get cold during cold days. Letting him wear sweaters may make him feel more comfortable.
Diet
A highly energetic dog, the Pin Poo requires kibble that is specifically intended for his size, age, and level of activity. Because he is prone to obesity, you should avoid giving him heavy carb meals that may cause him to overeat until he feels full. The Poodle blood in his veins may trigger digestive problems like bloating. Thus, it is best to go for nutritious low-fat foods. Feed him 2 or 3 times a day, instead of allowing him to feed freely.
Exercise
Due to their small size, Pini Poos don’t require a lot of space to move around, although they love to play and run around, dig, and jump high, among others. It is therefore an advantage if you can provide an enclosed yard for your playful pooch.
When at home, let him move freely without a leash as he loves to keep himself busy all day. He will play with members of your family. In the process, he will burn calories and expend his pent up energy.
Like other breeds, you should take your Pinny Poo out for a jog or short walk daily. You’ll be surprised to discover that your furry friend is a great runner!
Training
Although a Pinny Poo is intelligent by nature, training him may require a lot of patience. This is because, as mentioned, he can have a stubborn streak like his Min Pin parent. It is a good idea to train him early, if possible, as soon as you bring him home from the kennel.
To address his restless and extremely protective nature, it is best to make him undergo obedience training. Likewise, teach him good behavior when around your friends or neighbors, and other dogs. Early socialization will prevent future behavioral issues. When taking your pooch on a walk, always take the lead. Make it clear to him that you are the pack leader.
Grooming
Like his Poodle parent, your Pini Poo’s coat may require some time and effort to maintain. You must brush his coat daily. Other Pinny Poo owners bring their dogs after every few months to professional groomers to keep their coats manageable.
If you prefer, and if you learn how, you can groom your dog DIY style. It is also important to bathe your Pinny Poo and clean his ears every few weeks. Just make sure to use your vet-approved mild dog shampoo. This way, you won’t dry his skin. Trim his toenails every month using nail trimmers. If you aren’t comfortable doing it yourself, have your vet or the groomer do it for you.
Floppy-eared dogs are prone to ear infections. Thus, you need to watch out for that. Because his hanging ears keep his inner ear warm, it becomes conducive to microbe growth.
Health Concerns
Your Pinny Poo, just like most other designer breeds, is less vulnerable to the diseases his parent breeds are prone to. However, you need to keep an eye for general dog health concerns like allergies, dysplasia, and periodontal disease, among others. Take him to the vet for check-up at regular intervals.
- Major Pini Poo Health Issues – patellar luxation, Addison’s disease, sebaceous adenitis, and mitral valve dysplasia
- Minor Concerns – color dilution, alopecia, entropion, ectropion
- Occasional Diagnoses – legg-calve-perthes disease, cataracts, skin allergies
- Occasional tests – eye examination, skin evaluation, cardiac, internal imaging (CT scan, MRI, x-ray, etc.)
Where to Look for a Pinny Poo
Bringing home a new family member needs a lot of careful consideration. Finding the right puppy is not enough. You also need to find the right breeder. For this, you can use online breeder referral directories to help you connect with reputable breeders near you. Affiliated clubs can also provide suggestions through their representatives.
If you want to observe numerous Pini Poos simultaneously, attend dog shows and other events that feature the designer breeds. You can also talk with various breeders in these events, and find out if they can provide the puppy you need.
You can ask for the names of their former clients, and if possible, get in touch with these new Pinny Poo owners. Find out how their experience with the Pini Poo breeder went.
Experienced and reputable breeders raise their dogs and puppies in a sanitary environment. They provide their ward with sufficient attention and exercise, as well as proper medical care. A good breeder should be patient enough to address all your concerns and questions thoroughly, whether about housekeeping, breeding, competition, training, or health.
Conclusion
Pinny Poos are energetic dogs who love to play with their human family, as well as other family pets. While they can be great for older kids, they can be quite snappy with toddlers or smaller children.
Pini Poos are good watchdogs because aside from being loving, they are protective and loyal. They can sometimes have a stubborn streak. Thus, you need to spare a lot of time and patience to train them. With proper training, you can expect to enjoy the company of a loyal and loving dog for many years.