Pinweiler

The Miniature Pinscher originated in Germany about 2000 years ago according to paintings done during the Renaissance. They are not related to the Doberman Pinscher as the name implies, even though they look like miniature Dobermans. As a matter of fact, the Miniature Pinscher has been around much longer. These little dogs started out as ratters but ended up being pets when it was discovered how friendly and lovable they were. Most people believe that the Miniature Pinscher was bred from the Dachshund, Italian Greyhound, and some forms of Terriers. Their name even means terrier in German. The red-coated Miniature Pinscher was nicknamed Reh Pinscher because it looked so much like the tiny red deer that lived in Germany back then. The Pinscher Klub of Germany was formed in the late 1800s but they were not seen in American until about 20 years later. In 1925, they were accepted by the American Kennel Club and the Miniature Pinscher Club of America was formed in 1930. The Rottweiler also originated in Germany around the same time as the Miniature Pinscher, bred from the Roman Drover Dog, German Shepherd, and Mastiff. Their name came from the town they originated in, which was called Rottweil at that time. They were originally used to guard soldiers of the Roman Empire but were then used to herd cattle during the day and protect homes at night. These muscular dogs were also used to pull carts and wagons or hunt bears. After cattle driving was outlawed and donkeys were used for drafting, the Rottweiler was mainly used by butchers to pull carts of meat and were nicknamed the Rottweiler Metzgerhund, which means Rottweiler butcher dog. The International Club for Leonbergers and Rottweilers was started in Germany in 1899 and they became popular in America soon after, being accepted by the American Kennel Club in 1931.