YOU AND YOUR NEW PUPPY
By Lorraine Lyons
Now that you have decided you just love the Miniature Pinscher, and absolutely must have a puppy… here’s the down side!
Raising a Min Pin may be like no other puppy you have ever raised.
They are tiny… and they get into places you may never have dreamed possible. And, they may not be able to get out again. Puppy proof your house before you bring him home. Better yet, only allow him ONE room to venture in until trust worthy in housebreaking which should be at about six months of age.
They are tiny… check your fence carefully. Once they squeeze through or under the fence and out into the great big interesting world, you’ll have to chase all over the neighborhood to catch him. They can run like the devil and have absolutely no traffic sense.
They are tiny… when they get into tiny places, they can chew on things you never thought possible. If your fridge has a butter keeper in the door, there is also an electric cord at the base of the door…and because the door has to swing, this bit of cord has to have room to move. A Min Pin can find it, and will chew it. He will also grab hold of and either try to chew or pull any other electric cord he can find such as computer cords, phone cords and lamp cords. If he can reach your drapes, he’ll swing from them along with the family cat. (* I once knew of a friend who came home to her dead beagle with his mouth still clutching a phone cord)
They are tiny… and they don’t have very much hair, so they get cold easily. When they are very young, they haven’t yet learned how to wiggle under blankets to keep warm. They may curl up on top, and eventually poop on them. (They also like to pee on scatter rugs). Again, by six months of age they will learn to go under whatever is made available to them – a throw on a sofa, blanket in the dog bed, towels in the laundry basket etc…
They are tiny… but even so, they poop enough for a big dog. And one of the really unpleasant (to some people) habits of the Min Pin… is that they tend to continue to walk around as they do their business. So you don’t always get a nice little pile in one place. It could be scattered along for a foot or more…Watch your pup closely each time he goes and remind him to ‘stay’ or ‘go pee’. They will soon get the message.
Puppies are fairly smart, but not brilliant enough to know the difference between an old slipper and your hundred dollar shoes. Give him some nylon bones (always with supervision of course) as it is possible to choke on some of the bigger chunks that they are dumb enough to try and swallow. Min Pins shed very little, have very little doggie odor and are not mean tempered. They have excellent hearing, which makes them great watch dogs – not guard dogs.
They get lonesome… Maybe you know you are coming back right away, but the puppy hasn’t figured that out yet. They may chew on anything and everything to console them. If the puppy must be left alone for long periods, make sue it is in a confined area (laundry rooms must have a window) where he can’t damage anything, including himself. Eventually your pup will get accustomed to your routine, and if he is sure you love him as much as he loves you… he will figure you are worth waiting for. A small (2’X2’ up to 4’X4’) pen can be purchased from pet supply stores from $70. To $200. One of the best investments you could make in the pup’s lifetime. It can keep him from getting underfoot when you are busy, or protected when he has to be left alone, and is great for housebreaking too.
They get lonesome… so your pup might not want to sleep in that nice little wicker basket that you bought him, (he’ll chew it anyway). Buy him a proper dog crate just large enough for him to stand in and turn around in when he is adult size – a Vari-kennel 100 will do the trick. It isn’t cruelty to the pup; it is the security of his own little doggie den. The crate can be put beside your bed at night and the sound of your breathing is reassurance enough to allow him to sleep also. When he has to go potty, he won’t want to do it in his bed, so he will howl to be let out. If you take him outside to do his business at this point, half of the housebreaking chores will be started in spite of yourself. Most doggie accidents are the result of inattentive owners, not bad puppies. Don’t whack him with a rolled up newspaper either, he might grow up to bite the paperboy. Instead of punishing him for mistakes, praise him when he gets it right.
CARING FOR YOUR MIN PIN
Min Pins are considered a low maintenance dog in the grooming area. Despite the short coats, all dogs need a degree of grooming, both for the sake of a nice appearance and to maintain the coat and skin in a healthy condition. On a daily basis your min pins eyes and ears need to be checked for dirt and debris. Using a warm damp cotton ball or a soft washcloth and gently go around the eyes removing any matter or dirt that has accumulated. The inside of the earflap needs to be wiped clean using a gentle touch. Look for any unusual build up of dirt, debris, or an odor within the ear for this could be a sign that you need to contact your vet. At no time should you clean within the ear canal, clean only the portions of the ears that are clearly visible. Ideally, brushing with a soft bristle brush twice a week for half an hour each time is all that is required to take/keep the dead hair off your Min Pin.
Caring for your min pins feet must start at a very young age. As a young puppy with the litter, your breeder began teaching your puppy to feel comfortable having his feet handled. This must continue on a regular basis for nail trimming to go smoothly. Handling your pup's feet and massaging the nails on a daily basis greatly reduces the amount of stress on your min pin when he is in need of a nail trimming.
Nails should be inspected regularly, and if overgrown must be clipped or filed back. Nails allowed to overgrow can cause lameness and deformities in the feet. Hold the foot over a light so the quick or the outer limit of the blood vessel, which runs through the nail can be seen. Using a nail clipper specifically made for animals, clip only the overhanging portion of the nail being careful not to cut into the blood vessel. When clipping a min pin with black nails the quick cannot be seen, one must be careful to only remove small portions of the nail until the dried brittle part of the nail is removed. For a perfect manicure and a finishing touch, file the nail so that it is smooth to the touch, removing any rough edges that can be caught on furniture or carpeting. Trim nails weekly, yes, weekly until at least 6 months of age, then every 3 weeks after that.
A Min Pin does not require frequent bathing unless of course a wild roll in some stinky stuff has taken place or needs veterinarian prescribed bathing on regular intervals. Before placing your min pin into a tub or sink gently, plug the ears with absorbent cotton balls being very careful not to injure the ear by inserting too deeply. Place the min pin into the bath and wet the coat thoroughly using warm water. Using a mild soap or gentle shampoo, start from the head and work the lather to the back then down the legs. Be very careful not to get the soap in the eyes. After working down the legs gently get the belly and chest area. Rinse well with clear water, using a sprayer if you have one. Once this is done wrap your min pin in a dry towel and vigorously rub him down for several minutes, often times this is all that is necessary. Keep your min pin warm and don't allow outside for at least an hour. You can freshen up your min pin with a rub down using a Baby-wipe for those days between bathing.
Our pup's tail was docked when he was only a couple of days old. Very few owners have the choice to allow a tail to remain natural. Cropping the ears however is something you will need to think about, discuss with your breeder and ask about vet references for this procedure. Having a pet Min Pins ears cropped is totally optional and most pet owners are opting to leave the ears natural. There basically are no health benefits to cropping the ears; today it is totally a cosmetic choice in the pet home. Ear cropping is done primarily now only on those min pins that is entering CKC/AKC conformation competition. Canada & United States are of the few areas in the world that has not banned such practice. A min pin entering conformation competition can compete with natural ears, and any min pin entering any other type of competition will not be faulted for having un-cropped ears.
The cropping procedure is done as a surgery in which your pup will be put under anesthesia. Portions of the ear are cut away, the edges are stitched and both ears are put into what are called racks until they have trained or set to stand on their own. This can be a long process in which those not experienced with ear taping and training may find it is something they would rather not get involved in. You should only use a vet for this procedure that is familiar not only with ear cropping but specifically experienced with Miniature Pinschers, preferably a vet recommended by your breeder. Many ask if there is any pain involved with ear cropping. The edges of the ears can be quite sore and tender for a few to several days after the surgery.
The aftercare you provide for you min pin's ears will determine if the cropping will be the success you hoped for. Your vet and breeder will discuss the best aftercare for the ears with you. The most important thing to remember, it's your choice. If you prefer a cropped look, it is your duty and responsibility to ensure your pup's health and comfort during the process. It does take work and dedication during the healing and training process, so much so that most breeders will not allow a puppy to leave until the ears are up and healed. This is not something any owner can walk into without carefully weighing all the facts. If you like that natural look or feel that cropping is not something you wish to consider then that is fine also.
Registration Papers For Your Min Pin!
One advantage of buying a purebred Min Pin is that you can see what the mature animal is like. Within certain limits, the size and temperament is predictable and therefore you can select accordingly - one that suits your purpose and your lifestyle. Different breeds have different requirements for feeding, exercise, grooming and affection. The Miniature Pinscher, being a 'toy breed' and like any other dog - demands the same attention.
To be classed as a Purebred, your dog must be eligible for registration with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC). Your best source of a sound, healthy Miniature Pinscher is the Breeder, preferably one who is also a CKC member and also a member of the local club or clubs, during the time they are breeding. Deal with a RECOMMENDED breeder who is concerned about the present and future development of his/her canine companions. Be prepared to answer a lot of questions from the breeder, but also have a few ready yourself.
Seeing as many relatives of your puppy as are available to be seen will give you a clearer picture of the development of your own pup. Ask to view the mother and father of the pup but know that sometimes the mother is shipped away for the breeding process and there may only be a photo of the dad to see. If the Breeder does not wish to show the mother due to her 'bedraggled' shape after the birth of her pups, request a return visit and/or a look at a photo of her before the delivery.
All the Breeders must individually identify each puppy before it leaves the kennel by means of a tattoo number or a microchip implant. Unless this is done BEFORE THE PUP LEAVES THE BREEDER'S HOME, the dog cannot be registered with the CKC.
If the dog was born in
Whether or not it is purebred your pet should be healthy, clean, bright-eyed and show definite friendliness. The cleanliness of the breeder's kennel area or facilities are generally a good indication of the puppy's health prospects. The breeder should inform the buyer of health problems within the breed and should guarantee the dog's current health. Your puppy should have paid a recent visit to a veterinarian. It should have its inoculations up to date, have been wormed if necessary, and any other requirements met (such as tail docking, dew claws removed, etc.) A reputable breeder will welcome your independent veterinarian examination within 48 hours and if any health related problems are brought to his/her attention, will refund your money or make adjustments as required. Example: if your new pup develops canine distemper within 7 days of purchase chances are he had it when you got him! Note: even vaccinated pups can come down with distemper, maybe not as bad as an unvaccinated puppy, but still have symptoms.
Beware of the breeders who allow a puppy to leave the kennel too early - 47 days is about the earliest date with 49 (or 7 weeks old) being considered optimum by many. An older puppy or even an adult will be more mature, will likely be house-trained and generally very adaptable.
Be sure to obtain a written receipt, health record, feeding instructions, grooming and general care information when you acquire your puppy. If your puppy is stated as being a purebred you are legally entitled to a CKC Registration Certificate at no extra cost. The sale of purebred dogs is governed by the Federal Animal Pedigree Act.
If such certificate of registration is not provided by the seller within six months of the date of sale, the buyer can lay an Information Charge against the seller for violation of the Animal Pedigree Act. The penalty for violation of the Act is a fine, or imprisonment. Before purchasing your dog, you should establish certain criteria, which are prerequisite to a purebred dog's eligibility for CKC registration. If such criteria are not confirmed by the seller, you should not buy the dog.
A RELIABLE BREEDER can be immeasurable help both when purchasing your dog and in advising in the future. Choose your breeder carefully.
Finally, remember that once you have bought a pet, its development is your responsibility. It must be provided with the proper care, training and facilities to ensure that it remains mentally and physically healthy and under control at all times.
Be sure that your new friend becomes a PET and NOT A
Shipping a puppy!
Shipping is available weather permitting. I prefer you pick your puppy up, so that we can meet and you can view mom, dad, and relatives of your pup. If this is not possible your puppy can be shipped. The cost of shipping is $250. This includes the vet examination, health certificate as required by the airlines, airline approved crate, and your pups boarding fare. All puppies are insured, at my cost before boarding the airplane. Puppies are stressed by the flight, be aware that if you can pick your puppy up the bonding will begin then. By the time you get home you will have a happy puppy that has already adopted you as its owner.
Shipping can be done from Ottawa International Airport or Montreal's Airport. I have successfully shipped many puppies over the years from Halifax NS to Northern BC.
Contact me for any questions.
bravenet.com