Hunter

As the Dobermans’ ancestors, German Pinschers set the tone for their family of strong-willed, assertive breeds. German Pinschers become close knit with their owners and guard them no matter what. This protectiveness makes them excellent guard dogs but may not be a good fit for families with young kids or other animals. Full-grown, they typically weigh 25-45 pounds and stand 17-20 inches tall.

German Pinschers are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. German Pinschers can be wary of strangers and tend to roughhouse, so they aren’t the best match for homes with young children. This breed gets along with other pets when socialized early, but they do possess a definite aggressive streak and a high prey drive for small animals. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

German Pinschers are energetic dogs that need daily jogs or playtime in the yard to keep them healthy and happy. They also enjoy hunting, so watch them closely in areas where their prey drive could be dangerous. This breed can learn a variety of sports as well, such as agility and obedience exercises. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

The German Pinscher has a short, dense coat of smooth and shiny fur. Most dogs are black with tan markings, but they can also be found in red, fawn, and brown with yellow markings. German Pinschers are average shedders that require little grooming. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

German Pinschers are best suited for apartments and smaller homes. German Pinschers can be wary of strangers and tend to roughhouse, so they aren’t the best match for homes with young children. Because of the German Pinscher’s smaller stature than their Doberman peers, they can adapt to apartments but are better suited for homes with large, fenced yards. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.