The Harlequin Pinscher or the Spotted Pinscher is a small breed of dog from Germany. This tiny dog is a member of the Toy Group. This group includes all the little dogs that exist from minor hunters to major lap lovers. This toy dog is known from the 18th century and it has come into existance by crossing the Miniature Pinscher with the Rat Terrier. Back then, besides lying like a king in the lap of some noble lady, it was used to hunt mice, rats and snakes. The breed is very rare.
The Harlequin Pinscher is very small and adorable. Its body is well balanced and elegant. Even if it is little, its conformation is compact. The head is small and delicate. The muzzle is fine and elongated, with a black nose. Its forehead is bold and its eyes are big and round with a curious expression. The ears are set high on the head and have a bat-like aspect. Some breeders crop their ears for a more interesting look. Its neck is quite thick and short and its back is straight and elongated. The chest is slightly arched and the legs are long, straight and muscular. The tail is usually docked. The coat is short, dense and looks very smooth and well groomed. The colour of the coat is white with gray and black spots and markings which gave that blue effect, or white with brown spots and markings. They have also a touch of tan on their muzzle, legs and chest.
These tiny dogs are 10 to 12 inches tall and weigh 8 to 10 pounds. There are no great differences between the genders, only the females tend to be longer than the males.
This dog is a walking energy ball. It is extremely alert and playful and it likes to be the centre of attention. You must not be worried about its size and shyness, because this little fellow is not quite aware of its height. It has a sweet personality and it tends to be capricious in a charming way. It loves its role as a lap dog and is in constant need of love and attention. This breed trains very easy, due to its intelligence, and becomes very obedient if it will be trained from an early stage. The owner must be firm, but gentle. Its major role is as a companion dog, therefore it is very needy and dependable. Its ultimate desire is to have a human companion permanently and to be caressed and cuddled. It may look like a miniaturized athlete, but it is an apartment dog that has no particular physical need. However, that does not mean that the indoors activity must be lacking. It is suitable for older children, because the small ones might hurt it.
The grooming is minimal, they only require some brushing from time to time to remove the dead hair. They can live for about 14 years. They have no major health concerns, but you must be aware of the fact that they are highly sensitive and do not tolerate cold or heat.
The Harlequin Pinscher is an adorable pet that dreams of an affectionate companion and a full-time friend.
