Although the History of the Miniature Pinscher is not totally clear, some things are clear. Unlike most miniature dog breeds, the Miniature Pinscher is not a smaller version of anything. It is certainly NOT a miniature Doberman, although both likely evolved from the German Pinscher family of dogs. The Min Pin is in fact an older breed than the Doberman.Miniature Pinschers originated in Germany, centuries ago, basically to chase and catch rats in the barnyard. It was known then as the “Reh Pinscher” presumably due to its resemblance to a small red deer that could frequently be seen in German forests.
In 1836 a German writer named Dr. H.G. Reinchenbach, wrote he believed the breed was a cross of the Dachshund and Italian Greyhound. And while that's not a provable fact, it is generally accepted by most historians.
It’s interesting to note that the Miniature Pinscher was a relative unknown outside of Germany until the 1920’s, although the Min Pin was very popular in Germany in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. The breed did not make it to the United States until about 1920. And it wasn’t until 1972 that the official name of the breed was changed to Miniature Pinscher.