Miniature Pinscher Grooming

Miniature Pinscher grooming will require very little effort. They have hard, sleek coats that lay very short and close to the body. A weekly brushing is more than enough and they only need to be bathed once every 3 weeks to 6 months. Ears should be checked monthly for dirt and debris while nails should also be checked monthly to see if they need trimming. Dental care is an important, and often overlooked, part of Min Pin grooming. Brushing the teeth can be done daily and the earlier age you start, the simpler it will be; you can also schedule dental appointments with most veterinarians and groomers.

Grooming a Min Pin coat is quite simple. Just like their large Doberman Pinscher counterpart, they have "wash and wear" coats that require very little care. A weekly brushing isn't absolutely necessary but will help remove dead hairs so they end up on your brush and not the floor or furniture. A rubber brush or grooming mitt works well for this.

Bathing can be done every six weeks to 3 months-- this is at your discretion based on how much they are shedding and whether they have a "doggy" smell or not. A natural, moisturizing shampoo is best and some owners choose to use a conditioning shine spray after the bath.

Owners often ask, "How often should I bathe my Min Pin?" In reality, every three months or so is fine--unless, of course, the dog gets especially dirty or stinky and an "emergency bath" is in order.

When bathing a Miniature Pinscher, be sure to use shampoo made for dogs, as the human kind has a different pH and can irritate the dog's skin. The best shampoo for Min Pin dogs includes brands like Earthbath, Pro Pet Works, and 4-Legger--all of which will make your Min Pin smell, look, and feel great.

Before the bath, give the dog a good brushing. You can bathe your Min Pin either in a bathtub or in an outdoor kiddie pool using a garden hose. Wet the coat thoroughly, then apply a small amount of shampoo to the dog's back. Lather well, working downward and outward; don't forget the legs, underbelly, and tail! Clean the face, head, and ears with a washcloth, then rinse the coat completely.

Towel-dry the coat, then give the dog another quick brush-through to make the coat look clean and neat.

Miniature Pinschers won't need any hair cuts or styling to look their best. They have a short "ready to wear" coat just like the Doberman Pinscher. Fawn or pink Min Pins may have more sensitive skin than the average and special care should be taken not to irritate or dry out the skin with products-- we recommend a hypoallergenic shampoo.

Your Miniature Pinscher's teeth should be brushed as often as possible. If you start getting them used to the brushing process when they are a puppy, you can brush them daily. Some dogs simply won't take to brushing and need to be taken to the vet or groomers to have it professionally done twice per year. This process may seem trivial but it is extremely important-- plaque and decay can lead to gum disease, and gum disease can lead to damage to vital organs such as the heart!