The Ultimate German Pinscher Food Buyer’s Guide
German Pinschers are medium-sized, streamlined, and elegant with a sleek, shiny coat. Their coat is red or black and blue with red accents. They have a noble head that is an elongated wedge shape with eager, alert eyes. They move with confidence and a steady, free, and natural gait.
Disclosure: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which will direct you to our partner sites. If you purchase the pet foods we recommend through those links, we may earn a small commission – at no extra cost to you.
History of the German Pinscher
Many people take one look at a German Pinscher and assume that they are derived from the Doberman Pinscher, but that’s not so! The German Pinscher originated in Germany sometime in the 18th century and contributed to developing such breeds as the Doberman, Miniature Pinscher, Affenpinscher, and the three Schnauzers: Miniature, Giant, and Standard.
German Pinschers were initially bred to exterminate vermin, much like Terriers from Britan. They may descend from some of the early European herding or guardian breeds. There were a variety of such ratters kept on German farms around the 15th century, but by 1836 German Pinschers had become more popular than Pugs in Germany.
In the early days of the breed, there were wire-haired and smooth-haired Pinschers in the same litters. These wire-haired Pinschers would go on to become the Standard Schnauzer.
The German Pinscher was recognized as a breed in 1895. However, the two World Wars were devastating for the breed, as they were for many dog breeds in Europe, and many colors can no longer be found. Before the wars, there were pure black and salt and pepper German Pinschers – colors that are seen in Schnauzers now.
Thanks to a West German man named Werner Jung, the breed was saved. Jung searched farms in Germany for dogs with Pinscher-type and used these dogs – along with four oversized Miniature Pinschers and a black and red female from East Germany – to revive the breed. He risked his life to smuggle the black and red dog into West Germany, and today most German Pinschers are descended Jung’s dogs. There have also been some efforts to save or revive German Pinschers with the lost colors. Jung was unsuccessful in this effort, but today some of these dogs are currently marketed as rare breeds.
German Pinschers first began appearing in the United States in the late 1970’s. Dogs came from Germany, England, Sweden, France, and Czechoslovakia. The German Pinscher Club of America was started in 1985, the Canadian Kennel Club accepted the breed in 2000, and by 2003 the breed gained full recognition from the American Kennel Club. Today the breed’s popularity in the U.S. is rising rapidly. The breed is the 146th most popular breed in the United States, according to registration statistics.
German Pinscher Temperament
The medium-sized German Pinscher is a loving companion with an even temperament. They are devoted, playful dogs who tend to stay playful well into old age. They are energetic working dogs who show a high level of intelligence. This is usually a friendly breed, but they tend to be a little bossy. With their unwavering love for their “pack,” the German Pinscher makes an excellent watchdog.
These are very high energy, active dogs that need daily exercise and love the structure training provides them. However, they are smart and will quickly become bored with the same activities and training. German Pinschers do well in agility, rally, obedience, or tracking, but most are not fond of water, so water sports may be off the table with this breed. German Pinschers can also make great therapy dogs since they are an intelligent and loving breed that easily bonds with their family.
But their intense need to bond means that this is a breed that can be prone to separation anxiety and often do not do well if left alone for extended periods of time. Proper socialization and training can help avoid problems with separation anxiety.
Like most Pinschers, they do have a high prey drive, so be wary if you have a hamster, guinea pig, or another small rodent as a pet. Otherwise, they usually get along well with other family pets such as cats.
German Pinscher Health Issues
According to the German Pinscher Club of America, hereditary cataracts appears to be the most common health issue in the breed. The club recommends that all dogs chosen for breeding should have a current ACVO approved examination, and be certified by OFA-ECR as to not being affected by inherited eye disease. Hip dysplasia and cardiac disease can also appear in German Pinschers, though it is not very common.
But, all in all, German Pinschers are a long-lived breed. According to one survey in the UK, the median age of death was 11.5 years, the leading causes of death were cancer, old age, and cardiac problems. Most U.S. estimates of the breed’s lifespan fall between 12 and 14 years.
German Pinscher Nutritional Needs
An active adult German Pinscher weighing 40 pounds requires an average daily caloric intake of 1109 kcal, but the number of calories your dog needs may depend on how much you train your dog as well. For example, if you train regularly for agility, you might need to feed him somewhere around 1849 kcal. A puppy needs an estimated 733 kcal per day.
You should feed your dog the best quality dog food you can afford that agrees with your dog. If your dog is having digestive problems when you feed high-quality food, the food may be too rich for your German Pinscher; or you may be overfeeding. Try feeding less food. If that doesn’t help, check the fat and fiber percentages in the food.
However, gastric distress can be caused by food allergies or food sensitivities as well. Symptoms of food allergies include itching and scratching which leads to redness, hair loss, damaged skin, and skin infections. Dogs can also have food sensitivities which result in diarrhea, vomiting, flatulence, and an upset stomach. Keep in mind that there are different kinds of allergies: inhalant, contact, flea bite, and food, so it’s best if you work with your veterinarian if you suspect your dog is reacting to something, so you can pinpoint what’s causing it.
What To Look For (And Avoid)
- Real meat as the first few ingredients.
- A good animal-based fat (ex: chicken fat.)
- A healthy form of carbs. A good rule of thumb is to ask yourself, “Would I consider this to be a ‘good carb’ if I were to eat it?”
- Food that has a higher percentage of plant-based protein than meat-based protein: This isn’t to say that plant protein is terrible; it’s just more important to have a higher-quality meat protein.
- Formulas that have more meal than meat: Finding food without any meal is almost impossible, but just try to see if you can find one with more meat.
- Food that’s too expensive for you: I know this sounds obvious, but there’s no point in buying an excellent food one time then switching to a cheaper feed, so you don’t have to file for bankruptcy. Your dog’s stomach will appreciate the consistency more anyway.
- Food that’s hard to find. More or less, for the same reason as above.
- It’s up to you if you want to avoid foods with grains or common allergens such as soy, corn, or wheat. However, it’s worth noting that feeding your dog foods with common allergens could cause a reaction, even if they were okay with the food before.
Best Dog Foods for German Pinscher Adults
When you are trying a new food, be sure to allow several days to slowly transition to the diet, mixing in a little of your dog’s old food each day. Of course, if your dog shows signs that he doesn’t like the food or doesn’t tolerate it, you will have to make adjustments.
Farmina is available on sites like Chewy. It’s available in grain-free and low ancestral grain formulas, as well as several proteins; lamb, chicken, boar, and codfish. These are AAFCO-approved foods for all life stages. They are gluten-free, low-glycemic, GMO-free, and without artificial preservatives. The grain-free formula is 70 percent animal ingredients and 30 percent fruits, vegetables, and minerals. The ancestral grain formulas are 60 percent animal ingredients and contains 20 percent fruits, vegetables, and minerals; and 20 percent organic spelt and organic oats. The Codfish and Orange formula is single animal protein so it’s supposed to be good for dogs that might have allergies. Using the Codfish & Orange Low Ancestral Grain food as an example, the first five ingredients in the food are fresh codfish (24%), dehydrated codfish (24%), fish oil, spelt (10%), and oats (10%). The food has Crude Protein (min): 30 percent; Crude Fat (min): 18 percent; Crude Fiber (max): 2.9 percent; Moisture (max): 10 percent; and Ash (max): 6.9 percent. There is 437 kcal/cup.
This Canidae formula is an all life stages food, so no need to switch if you have a young puppy and want to keep them on the same food. The first five ingredients are chicken meal, turkey meal, lamb meal, brown rice, and white rice. This formula does contain grains (rice, oatmeal, barley) but most dogs that have problems with corn or wheat can eat these grains. The food contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The food is naturally preserved, and it includes pre- and probiotics for healthy digestion, along with antioxidants and omega 6 and omega three fatty acids for healthy skin and coat. The guaranteed analysis shows 24 percent crude protein, 14.5 percent crude fat, and 4 percent crude fiber. It has 468 kcal/cup. We think this is a good food for dogs that do well with moderate protein and fat.
Victor dog food is made by Mid America Pet Food – a company that co-packs for some other well-known brands. Mid America is family-owned and operated, and they currently have seventeen formulas available. They have foods that are free of corn, wheat, soy, gluten, and grain, with no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. The Yukon River Salmon formula has 33 percent crude protein, 15 percent crude fat, and 34 percent crude carbs. 76 percent of the protein in the food comes from animal protein such as fish. It has a single meat protein – fish. It has 398 kcal/cup. The first five ingredients are Salmon, Menhaden Fish Meal (source of DHA-Docosahexaenoic Acid), Sweet Potato, Peas, and Canola Oil.
The first five ingredients in this food are deboned chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and potatoes. This recipe is an all life stage food with 460 kcal per cup. It has 70 percent meat ingredients and 30 percent vegetables, vitamins, and minerals. Merricks’ grain free formulas have no corn, wheat, soy, or gluten. This formula has 38 percent crude protein, 17 percent crude fat, with 3.5 percent crude fiber. It also has glucosamine, and chondroitin added, as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.
Best Dog Foods for German Pinscher Puppies
Puppy foods should have a calcium to phosphorus ratio of about 1.2 parts calcium to 1 part phosphorus, though there is some room for variation, such as 1.5:1. It’s also essential that dog and puppy food does not have an excess of calcium since this can affect bone growth. If you are feeding your puppy food that is properly formulated, you should not add any extra calcium. Doing so can lead to serious health problems such as OCD (osteochondritis dessecans) – painful bone growths that may require surgery – and other orthopedic problems.
Canine Caviar Limited Ingredient Diet Puppy food has no corn, wheat, or soy. It’s grain-, gluten-, and GMO-free. It contains no by-products, tapioca, or potatoes. It has a single protein (dehydrated chicken) which is hormone-, pesticide-, and antibiotic-free. It also has the proper calcium level for puppies. There’s more, but you get the idea. It says it’s formulated for small breed puppies, but it’s just fine for German Pinschers and other puppies.
Canidae Grain Free Pure Foundations Puppy Formula is a limited ingredient food. The first five ingredients are chicken, menhaden fish meal, lentils, peas, and potatoes. This recipe is supposed to be especially suitable for puppies with sensitive digestion and has 30 percent crude protein, 12 percent crude fat, 4 percent crude fiber, and 10 percent moisture. This food checks in at 520 kcal/cup, so it’s high in calories, but active, growing German Pinscher puppies can usually burn them off.
Best Dog Foods for the Senior German Pinscher
If you are looking for an excellent senior food, it’s not easy to find, especially if you’re looking for higher protein, moderate fat, and lower carbs – luckily we know a few.
Nulo doesn’t use corn, wheat, soy, potatoes, tapioca, gluten, or genetically modified organisms. Additionally, there is no poultry or meat by-products, artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives. This senior dog food is high in animal meat (82 percent), and it includes glucosamine and chondroitin for hip and joint health. It also has L-Carnitine to help your senior dog’s metabolism. The first five ingredients in this food are deboned trout, turkey meal, salmon meal, yellow peas, and sweet potato. This food is also AAFCO-approved for maintenance.
Canidae® Grain Free PURE Meadow® for Senior Dogs with Fresh Chicken Dry Formula
We like this Canidae formula for senior dogs because it has a crude protein percentage of 28 percent – not easy to find among senior dog foods. This food would be good for senior dogs who may be just a little overweight or need a limited ingredient diet. Canidae Grain Free For Seniors contains no corn, wheat, or soy. The first five ingredients are chicken, chicken meal, turkey meal, sweet potatoes, and chickpeas. This food has 409 kcal/cup.
Best Dog Foods for Overweight German Pinschers
If you have a German Pinscher that needs to lose weight we recommend Merrick Grain Free Healthy Weight Recipe. We like the fact that this food has 32 percent crude protein with a crude fat percentage between 8 and 11 percent. It is AAFCO-approved for a maintenance diet. The food has 360 kcal per cup. It is grain free and made from 55 percent beef and poultry, contains no corn, wheat, soy, or ingredients from China. The first five ingredients in this food are deboned beef, chicken meal, potatoes, peas, and sweet potatoes.
If your German Pinscher acts like he’s starving between meals, try giving him some low-cal, healthy snacks like pieces of carrots or apples. You can also add some low-sodium green beans to his food. This is an old trick. The green beans help your dog feel fuller without adding many calories to his diet.