The German Pinscher is strong-willed and needs a consistent and firm owner. He can take over a home if rules are not set when he’s young. With training and consistency, German Pinschers will learn quickly. Naturally suspicious of strangers, he is an excellent guard dog.

The German Pinscher is not a smaller variety of Dobermans but an older breed with a much longer history. He was used as a versatile farm dog and ratter, but the breed nearly disappeared after World War II.
Like every dog, the German Pinscher needs early socialization – exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences – when young. Socialization helps ensure that your German Pinscher puppy grows into a well-rounded dog. Enrolling your German Pinscher puppy in a puppy class is a great start. Inviting visitors regularly and taking him to busy parks, stores that allow dogs, and on strolls to meet neighbours will also help him polish his social skills.
German Pinscher is like a naughty kid who will test your boundaries. Sure, he’ll housetrain quickly, and he’s pretty trainable in other respects, but he wants to know what he can get away with.
You need mental and physical strength to control and gain a German Pinscher’s respect. He must have a strong leader whose authority is tempered with patience and care. If you aren’t calm, cannot say no and indeed mean it, or are not interested in taking on in-depth training, look elsewhere!

The German Pinscher is best suited to a family with children 8 years and older who can understand how to treat him with respect. He may or may not get along with cats. He has a strong prey drive and will likely chase cats or other small furry animals outdoors, but some German Pinschers get along well with indoor cats if they have been raised with them. Unless you’re sure they are best friends, use common sense and separate them when you can’t be there to supervise.
The German Pinscher has high energy levels and needs much more activity than a simple walk around the block. Choose this breed only if you are a high-energy person who enjoys active daily exercise with a dog. He’s well suited to any dog sport or activity you can teach, including agility, obedience, rally and tracking.