Austrian Pinscher

The Austrian Pinscher is a sturdy Austrian farm dog — a ratter, drover and watchdog that was standardised from ordinary working farmyard dogs.

History

It worked Austrian smallholdings, killing vermin, moving stock and guarding the yard, and was recognised as a breed in the twentieth century from surviving farm dogs. It nearly disappeared in the 1970s, when only a handful remained, and was rebuilt from them.

Temperament

The breed is known for being lively, watchful and strongly attached to its own household, with a farm dog's readiness to announce visitors and a suspicion of strangers.

Care and training

It needs regular exercise and a job. The barking needs shaping early; it is part of what the breed was kept for. The short double coat needs little.

Health

Generally robust, with a small founding population as the standing caution. These are patterns for the breed rather than a forecast for one dog; the measured facts are in the panel.