You can confirm health clearances by checking the OFA web site (offa.org). Temperament is affected by a number of factors, including heredity, training, and socialization. Puppies with nice temperaments are curious and playful, willing to approach people and be held by them. Choose the middle-of-the-road puppy, not the one who’s beating up his littermates or the one who’s hiding in the corner.
Many owners have more than one Min Pin; properly socialized and trained, these dogs get along with other dogs just fine (expect some bossiness as they work out who’s top dog). As far as other pets are concerned, the Min Pin’s instinct is to chase, so he isn’t well suited to homes with small mammals. If they don’t get the mental stimulation they need, they’ll make their own work–usually with projects you won’t like, such as digging and chewing. Obedience training and interactive dog toys are good ways to give a dog a brain workout, as are dog sports and careers, such as agility and search and rescue.
Your careful weekly exam will help you spot potential health problems early. Like any dog, he can become timid or quarrelsome if he is not properly socialized when young. Early socialization helps ensure that your Min Pin puppy grows up to be a well-rounded dog.
I, Mitchel Omeara, am a retired American zookeeper and a former director emeritus of the Zoo and Aquarium. I have dedicated my life to the care and well-being of animals. I am 56 years old, and I have worked in zoos for over 35 years. I have been married for 32 years, and I have two children.