The Harlequin Miniature Pinscher is a patterned variety of the Miniature Pinscher. It is also known as several other names with the most common being the Fancy Min Pin, Merle Miniature Pinscher, or Harlequin Pinscher. Being a part of the terrier group, the Harlequin Pinscher possesses keen intelligence, vigilance, courage, strong will and animation. They truly are a big dog in a small package. They are also structurally well balanced, sturdy with a compact and naturally well-groomed smooth coat.

The Harlequin Miniature Pinscher derived from the Harlequin Pinscher and shares a common ancestry with the Miniature Pinscher as there is documentation that they were once of the same breed. Though many of the current documentations of the Miniature Pinscher breed history does not include patterned variety. Unfortunately, human nature being what it is, it is easier for us to accept not having something if we can convince ourselves that we didn’t really want it anyway. The best-known history of the patterned Pinscher and the reintroduction of the Harlequin Pinscher can be found on the Harlequin Pinscher Association website. WWW.harlequinpinscherassociation.com

The HPA is the foundation registry for the Harlequin Pinscher and was established in 2007. In 2016 ALL foundation stock services were closed and from that point forward ONLY Miniature Pinschers have been used in the Harlequin Pinscher breeding programs. There were enough 7th generation offspring to carry forward and has become known today as purebred Harlequin Pinschers.

Today’s Harlequin Pinschers are slightly different than that of its ancestry. The breeders of the HPA have worked diligently to reintroduce the Merle, Brindle, & Piebald patterns using contributions from the Rat Terrier. With a carefully developed program, dedication to maintaining a true and accurate database and requiring genetic testing. We have them to thank for such a wonderful breed.