Harlequin Pinscher Dog Breed

Below are details and specs for the Harlequin Pinscher dog breed.

Miniature Pinschers are, as the name implies, smaller versions of the Standard Pinscher but the Harlequin Pinscher (although considered a color variation of the minpin) can, itself, come in 3 size variations. The American Canine Registry (ACR) set the following guidelines for the 3 types of minpins: the Toy category is 6-12 inches and 4-12 pounds, the Miniature is 13-18 inches and 13-18 pounds, and the Standard is 19-24 inches and 19-26 pounds.

Overall, the Harlequin Pinscher is alert, loyal and happy. They will defend you if the situation calls for it, but they are generally friendly. If socialized and trained early they will make spirited playmates for kids and acceptable additions to households with multiple pets.

These dogs have short, smooth coats that require little grooming. A weekly brushing is always beneficial to remove dead hairs and, therefore, lessening the time you spend cleaning up. Teeth and ears should be checked weekly for cleaning and nails trimmed as needed. Members of this breed are eager to please and can be trained fairly easily by a first time owner. Several health issues should be noted such as Alopecia Color Dilution, Hypoglycemia, and Primary Lens Luxation. Another prominent (and possibly fatal issue) is Mucopolysaccharidosis VI which manifests early as delayed growth/deformity, weak limbs, lack of walking, eye cloudiness; if they survive into adulthood they may display sweeter, milder personalities that some liken to human mental developmental conditions.

The original "true" Harlequin Pinschers were bred by crossing merle individuals with other merle individuals which results not only in more merle dogs, but often very serious birth defects such as deafness, blindness and even missing body parts. Minpins were bred as early as 1880 and although not called "Harlequin" these merle and double merle colors were thought to be accepted under the standards of the (then) Germany Pinscher Klub. This breed was recognized by the AKC in 1925 and the FCI in 1958. Although these authorities recognize the Miniature Pinscher they don't all necessarily consider the Harlequin a [separate] breed; the ACR does and has a published standard. Modern Harlequin Pinschers are often Miniature Pinschers bred with another merle-coated breed such as the Merle Rat Terrier. The coat color was, more recently, deemed a fault according to the AKC and is now grounds for disqualification.