How Much Does a Miniature Pinscher Cost? 

Miniature Pinschers are cross breed dogs that have existed for centuries but have only started receiving the popularity they deserve in recent times. Since these dogs have been around for a very long time, they are now considered purebreds. 

They were first bred as a mixture of three dog species: German Pinscher, Dachshund, and Italian Greyhound. Min Pins – as they are popularly known – were primarily hunting dogs that were used to hunt small game such as rats, rabbits, and other small animals.

Min Pins weigh between 8 and 10 lb. and measure 10-12 inches at withers. They are available in various coat colors like black and tan, blue and tan, fawn, red, etc.

Do you want a compact dog as your companion? Then a Miniature Pinscher is just perfect for you! Not only are these dogs playful and energetic, but they are also very intelligent and independent. Perfect for anyone who always wanted a Doberman Pinscher but couldn’t handle such a huge dog.

The prices of these dogs are increasing due to their rise in popularity. Some people even call Mini Pinschers the ‘King of Toys’ due to their noble attitude and demeanor.

These dogs are generally healthy and hence don’t require a lot of expenditure on healthcare. Their short and stiff fur coat is very easy to maintain, so grooming costs are also not very troublesome. 

However, they do require a lot of exercises and physical stimulation. You will have to invest in toys and games for your Min Pinscher to give it an outlet for its energy.

Want to know more about the general cost estimates of this breed? Well then look no further! Here is a comprehensive cost guide to let you know what your Little Pinscher’s net price may come out to be.

How Much Does a Miniature Pinscher Puppy Cost?

As mentioned before, a Miniature Pinscher can cost anywhere between $950-$3000 and this mainly depends on the following factors:

1 – Age of the dog

Miniature Pinscher puppies are generally sold for a lot more than fully grown adults. Puppies between the age of 2-3 months are popular and in greater demand. At this age, they have a tendency to develop strong emotional bonds with their new owners.

2 – Gender

Nowadays, many breeders don’t keep too much of a price difference between male Miniature Pinschers and female Miniature Pinschers. 

However, sometimes females may be sold at a higher price for breeding purposes. Some breeders may sell males for a higher price as they are a lot easier to take care of. 

3 – Bloodlines

Pure-bred puppies go for a much higher price than mixed breeds. Also, the pup’s bloodlines make a difference in their price. In some cases, the parent dogs may even be contest winners. Puppies of show winners are sold at almost twice the price as pups born to non-show-winning dogs.

4 – Breeder Reputation

 The breeder’s reputation can also make a difference in your potential pet’s price. The more dependable the breeder, the better are your chances of getting a healthy dog. 

Generally, puppies sold by highly reputed breeders have very good genetics as their parents are also fit and healthy. Most importantly, good breeders offer health guarantees and even agree to take back the puppy within a year, should a medical condition arise in it.

Adopting a Min Pin

Always remember that you can also adopt a Mini Pinscher from a rescue shelter, though the chances of you finding one are rare. This will be a lot cheaper than buying from a reputed breeder.

One thing you should keep in mind is that even though adopting may look like your cheapest option, there could be a lot of additional maintenance costs that you may have to pay for rescue dogs. 

Some rescue dogs have emotional trauma and may be very aggressive towards people. Some others may have acquired diseases, courtesy of other infected dogs in the shelter. You must be ready to spend extra costs on the treatment that these dogs may require.

Cost of Basic Supplies for a Min Pin

It is important to buy some basic supplies for your puppy before you bring it home from the breeder. This will considerably ease its transition and make life easier for both you and your buddy.

Food and water bowls

Min Pins are small size dogs. Hence any standard stainless steel food or water bowls are perfect for them! A durable, strong, skid-proof, and non-slippery dog bowl with a mat underneath to contain messes lies in the price range of $14-$20.

Harness and leash

Remember to always buy a harness (or body belt) instead of a neck collar as they are a lot safer and prevent your dog’s neck from sustaining any injuries. A body belt for small to medium-sized dogs comes in the price range of $14-$25.

When it comes to choosing a leash, make sure you get a rope or nylon-based one and not a steel chain that lacks flexibility. 

A leash with a comfortable padded handle and sufficient length for your dog to explore its vicinity with a few restrictions should be available at the price range of $10-$20.

Sometimes you may get a combo deal of a harness and leash set for $20-$30.

Grooming tools

A Mini Pinscher’s coat is short and stiff, so it doesn’t need much to maintain it. A soft bristle brush should be more than enough to satisfy this breed’s coat grooming needs. A good brush can be bought at a price range of $10-$15.

An odor removal spray or an anti-tick powder are other products you should consider buying. They come in the price range of $8-$20.

For bathing your Mini Pinscher, you must also buy a shampoo and conditioner set. It is important to make sure that these shampoos are anti-tick and anti-flea. 

You can buy an anti-flea, two-in-one shampoo which can give the disinfecting effect of a shampoo with the softening effect of a conditioner for $10-$20.

Lastly, it is recommended to buy a nail clipper to ensure your Little Pinscher doesn’t end up hurting anyone when it playfully jumps on them. You can buy one for $10-$20.

Bed and crate

If you don’t want your dog to trail mud and dirt on your bed and sofa, a dog bed is a must-buy for you! Since Min Pins are small dogs, a small or medium-sized bed is perfect for them. A dog bed for small dogs falls in the price range of $20-$50. Memory foam or luxury fur-coated beds are sold for a much higher price (around $90-$120).

Since Miniature Pinschers are small dogs, they easily fit in most crates. Crates come in handy whenever you want to travel with your dog and keep them safe and secure during the journey.

Also, crate training is an essential part of your dog’s disciplinary upbringing, so investing in a crate is a very good decision. A crate for a small to medium-sized dog comes in the price range of $80-$150. Make sure that the crate is cozy so that your dog can comfortably stay inside it. A size of around 25”-30” is perfect for a Mini Pinscher.

Here is a table showing these costs:

 From the above table, you can see that the total price of basic supplies comes out to be around $400.

Dog Training Costs for a Mini Pinscher

Mini Pinschers were initially hunter dogs by nature, but over the years they have become more like companion dogs. They are very friendly with their owners and family members, but may not be as nice with strangers, little kids, and other dogs in their neighborhood.

Hence it would be a good idea to socialize and train your Mini Pinscher to curb any possible aggressive tendencies they may develop in the future. As they say, a stitch in time saves nine (literally and figuratively in this case).

Hiring a professional trainer for socializing, potty training and crate training will cost around $300 to $500 for private lessons or $100 for group lessons (considering the price for 5 sessions).

You can also choose the board and train option which is slightly more expensive. It comes to almost $500 to $1250 per week. Your pet will board with a trainer and learn many basics like heel, come, sit, stay, as well as potty training.

If you want to save money, then simply train your pet on your own by taking some inputs from free online resources. 

Here is a table showing you the costs of different kinds of dog training

Food Costs for Mini Pinscher

Dogs require a large variety of nutrients apart from just protein in their diet. Also, their diet changes according to their age group.

As a puppy, you should feed your Min Pin specific formula-based puppy food, or buy a dog food brand that is suitable for all age groups. You can also choose to feed the same food that the breeder or the shelter was feeding it.

You can buy a bag of 15 pounds of high-quality dog food for $30-$50, containing no meat by-products or fillers. This should last you a couple of months depending on your pet’s age and activity levels.

Since Miniature Pinschers are small breed dogs weighing between 8 and 10 lb., make sure to buy them small-breed dog food as they could choke on large-sized pellets. Small breed dog food comes for around $30-$50 for a 15-pound bag depending on the type, the ingredients used, and the brand.

Here is a table showing the price range for different kinds of dog foods: 

Cost Comparison of the Best Dog Food for Miniature Pinschers

Your Miniature Pinscher, like all small-breed dogs, needs food that can meet its high energy needs. Like all small-breed dogs, the Min Pin has a rapid metabolism rate and needs the right amount of calories to meet those needs.

A 10-lb. Min Pin needs around 350 calories per day. Small-breed dog food is specially formulated to meet their energy and nutritional requirements. High-quality small breed dog foods have optimum quantities of proteins, healthy fats, complex carbs, and also antioxidants.

You may also want to select food that is easy to digest and also easy to chew for their small jaws. It is best to feed 2-3 small meals to your small pet instead of a single large or even two medium-sized meals. This way, your pet will get the nourishment it needs as it plays and explores the world around it.

If you need some help in selecting the best food for your buddy, consider the table below. Your vet or breeder can also guide you in selecting the right food for your beloved pet.

Min Pin Medical Costs

Vaccinations

Vaccination costs vary with respect to the age of the dog and the disease you are vaccinating your pet for.

Vaccinations as a puppy (1-4 months of age):

Vaccines for distemper, parvovirus, hepatitis, parainfluenza, and rabies are mandatory immunizations in most states. Each shot amounts to $80-$100 on average. Vaccines for Distemper, hepatitis, parvovirus, and parainfluenza can be given using a single vaccine called the DHPP vaccine.

Regular Vaccinations as an Adult

DHPP and rabies shots have to be given after every 1-3 years. DHPP and rabies shots which are given after the puppy is 4 months old are significantly cheaper than the shots administered when it is a puppy. The cost of each shot is $15-$20 on average.

Optional Vaccinations

Vaccinations for Bordetella, Influenza, Leptospirosis, and Lyme disease are recommended but not compulsory. Optional vaccination costs are around $20 per shot. 

Injuries

The most common injuries that a Min Pinscher can sustain are broken bones and ligament tears.

For broken bones, the cost of treatment is $200-$2500. For ligament tears, the treatment cost range is $150-$1500.

Miscellaneous Medical Costs

** These are approximate costs – the actual costs will vary from vet to vet and city to city.

Common diseases in Miniature Pinschers

Miniature Pinschers are generally very healthy dogs, however, there are a few diseases and health issues that they may develop during their lifespan.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is a visual disability that may lead to complete blindness if left untreated. The estimated cost of treatment is between $2000 and $3500 depending on severity.

Patellar Luxation

 This is a painful joint problem. Its estimated cost of treatment is $1500 to $3000.

Leggs Perthes Disease

This is a painful hip joint problem with an estimated cost of treatment between $2500-$4000.

Here is a table for your reference:

Apart from these, they may also acquire Lyme disease, Tick Paralysis, and Tularemia if they are not groomed properly and inspected for ticks frequently. The estimated cost of treatment and blood tests required for these diseases can come around $300-$500 a month.

Should You Buy Pet Insurance for Your Miniature Pinscher?

Yes, it is a good idea to buy pet insurance as it can help cover many medical costs. Some insurance companies even cover vaccination costs and other preventive treatments. Many cover hospitalizations and diagnostic tests which can set dog owners back by thousands of dollars.

It is very important to do your research regarding the pet insurance company before selecting one. This is because the coverages vary greatly from company to company. Some even make you pay upfront and then later reimburse you. This may not always be feasible if the bills are high.

Many factors like your dog’s age and the place you live in will determine the monthly insurance premium you have to pay. $40-$80 is a good estimate of your monthly insurance charges. In this amount, you should get decent coverage and a long-term plan. 

Here are some top-rated pet insurance companies and their approximate costs:

Additional Costs of Owning a Min Pin

In addition to the food and medical expenses, a Min Pin owner may also want to prepare for the following:

Microchipping

Microchipping is a painless procedure that can enhance your Min Pin’s safety. It entails the insertion of a special chip under your dog’s skin. The cost, at most vet clinics, is around $45.

Travel

Will you take your Min Pin with you when you travel? The cost of airfare for this small dog could come to almost $250 one way as you need to rent or buy a special airline-approved dog carrier.

If you choose not to take your pet along, can you hire someone to watch it? A pet sitter could charge almost $45 per day depending on the services s/he providest. Alternatively, you can board your pet and most dog hostels charge between $40-$75 per night.

Grooming

You can ideally groom your dog at home – it does not need much-specialized grooming. However, if you get it professionally groomed, then expect to pay between $30 and $75 based on the groomer. Most grooming sessions include a bath, ear cleaning, nail trimming, etc.

Dog walker service

Your Min Pin will benefit from daily exercise. It is a highly energetic dog that can get very bored if not stimulated physically. Try and walk your pet twice a day for 20-30  minutes. This will reduce many behavioral issues as a tired dog is a happier dog. If you are too busy for this, hire the services of a dog walker. Most charge $10-$50 per walk of 30-minutes.

Key Takeaways – How Much Does a Miniature Pinscher Cost?

As can be seen, owning a dog, even one as small as a Min Pin is not cheap. Here is a summary of costs to expect when you own this loving dog breed:

According to the estimates we have made in this guide, the first-year maintenance cost you will have to pay for your Miniature Pinscher should amount to around $3750. The estimated purchase price of a high-quality Min Pin puppy is around $2000.

After the first year, the cost per year should be approximately $1000 (considering your dog remains healthy and doesn’t develop any diseases or conditions). Basic supplies (grooming, food and water bowls, leash, body-belt, bed, and crate) cost around $400.

• Dog food costs for the first year are around $150, and in the later years, the cost drops to $120 a year.
• Medical costs for broken bones, ligament tears, diseases, and health conditions cannot be accurately estimated as they depend on the kind of disease and the severity. Miniature Pinschers are generally healthy dogs and are not susceptible to many diseases. 
• However, you may want to purchase pet insurance to cover unexpected medical costs which can come to $1000 per year if your pet needs treatment or surgery. Pet insurance can cost around $400 per year.

Lifetime cost

Miniature Pinschers live for an average of 15 years. If you spend about $950 to $1500 per year, then the average lifetime cost of raising one can come to $17,850. This is just an estimate. Sometimes, these costs can be lower, sometimes, higher. It all depends on your city, the style of parenting, and also your pet’s health.

We hope this cost guide helps you plan financially for your Min Pin!