The words Dog Breed Info with the letter D inside of a black paw print

Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher

Information and Pictures

The left side of a brown with white Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher that is laying across a field. It has white paws that looks like it is wearing socks.

Dina the Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher

Other Names
  • Austrian Pinscher
  • Österreichischer Kurzhaarpinscher
  • Osterreichischer Kurzhaarpinscher
Pronunciation

Aus-trian shawrt-haird pin-sher

Description

The Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher has a pear-shaped head. The powerful muzzle is relatively short. The feet have well-arched toes. The elbows are fairly close to the body. The chest is wide and well developed. It has a short, hard topcoat as well as undercoat. Coat colors come in red, black, brown, fawn, brindle or black/tan, with limited white markings common. The tail is docked or left-curled over the back.

Temperament

The Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher was developed as a farm dog used to guard livestock and guard the home. Without enough mental and physical exercise it will be high strung. This terrier is most content in the country where it can put its instinctive abilities to work. It loves sports and will gladly join you in any you wish to involve it in. A fearless and attentive watch dog, it will bark at suspicious sounds. His bark does not make him ideal for urban life. This breed may not get along well with other dogs if you as the alpha human do not properly communicate to the dog that is unacceptable behavior. Socialize well. It takes its guarding duty seriously. This is not a breed for the meek or passive owner or an owner who does not understand canine instincts and the need to have an alpha leader. This dog needs a firm, but calm, confident and consistent handler. Without one it will have the tendency to bite as it tries its best to tell YOU what IT would like you to do. With the proper leadership, a job to do and the right amount and type of exercise this breed will excel. If you do not have time to extensively work with and exercise your dog, or do not fully understand canine instincts and their need to have leadership, this is not the breed for you.

Height, Weight

Height: 14 - 20 inches (36 - 51 cm)

Weight: 26 - 40 (12 - 18 kg)

Health Problems

The Austrian Pinscher can suffer from HD and they do have a heart condition that it hereditary.

Living Conditions

The best condition to have for an Austrian Pinscher would be a farm, however a large yard will do.

Exercise

The Austrian Pinscher will get enough exercise if he is living on a farm however, if you don't have a big yard the dog needs to go on a long daily walk. This dog is up for long walks, bike rides, or whatever you want to do with him (flyball, agility).

Life Expectancy

About 12-14 years

Litter Size

About 4 to 6 puppies

Grooming

An occasional brushing will do.

Origin

The Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher is heavier than its cousin the German Pinscher. This traditional Austrian farmer's dog was developed as a general "farm biter," used to drive livestock and to guard the home. Paintings from the late 1700s show a dog almost identical to today's breed.

Group

Pinschers

Recognition
  • ACA = American Canine Association Inc.
  • ACR = American Canine Registry
  • APRI = American Pet Registry, Inc.
  • DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
  • FCI = Federation Cynologique Internationale
A brown with white Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher is sitting in a field with its head tilted to the right.

Dina the Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher as a puppy

Close Up - The right side of a brown with white Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher that is standing across a room. It is looking towards the right and there is a crate behind it.

Dina the Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher

Close Up - The front left side of a brown with white Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher that is laying across a hardwood floor and it is looking to the right.

Dina the Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher

The right side of a brown with black and white Austrian Shorthaired Pinscher that is standing across a blacktop. There is a person standing behind it holding it leash.

Photo courtesy of Alina Geishofer

A brown and white dog with small v-shaped ears that fold over to the front laying down on an outside bench

"This is my dog named Psycho. He is a 100% purebred Austrian Pinscher shown here at 6 years old. He is a very protective, excellent guard dog who takes his job very seriously. He loves bike riding and loves it when you take him out for a long run. At every suspicious noise he will start barking. He doesn't get along well with other strange dogs, but does get along with our other dog that he grew up with. He is a very sweet dog who loves to get belly rubs and loves to sit right next to you."

A tricolor fawn, black and white dog laying down in the shaded grass next to a yellow car

Psycho purebred Austrian Pinscher at 6 years old

A fawn, white and black dog wearing black sunglasses laying down outside

Psycho purebred Austrian Pinscher at 6 years old

Two little plump puppies, one tricolor and one cream colored side by side outside

Psycho purebred Austrian Pinscher as a young puppy with his littermate.