Carlin Pinscher vs Canadian Pointer - Breed Comparison

There are conflicting views as to where the Carlin Pinscher hails from, with some reports saying France and others the USA. The names of some breeders suggest it could be France.

The dog hasn’t got a long history, being developed only in the early 1900s. Two breeders, Morgan and Buenafe left their Miniature Pinscher with a Pug owner for a while and on return discovered that the dogs had mated, producing puppies which looked like miniature Rottweilers.

It was in 1998 that a breeding program began and a Boxer was also brought into the mix to improve the characteristics of the dog. The dog is still being developed and isn’t recognized by the major kennel clubs.

There are some dog breeds whose history and origins are dubious. The existence of the Canadian Pointer is also a matter of debate, and research reveals very scanty information.

The dog seems to have been a gundog which originated in the United States. Another name for the dog is Adirondak Pointing Dog. The Canadian Pointer was developed from English Pointers, Labrador Retrievers and Portuguese Pointers during the 19th century. He was used for hunting and retrieving prey such as birds and rabbits.

The Carlin Pinscher has been developed to be a social and loving companion. Started as a cross between a Miniature Pinscher and Pug, other breeds have also been brought in. He still has varied appearances, often looking like a tiny Rottweiler but also looking like anything between the Miniature Pinscher or the Pug.

This is a small sized dog standing at anything from 27- to 33 cm and weighing 5 or 6kg. The body is compact with sturdy legs coming from the Pug side. The skull is a dome shape, the ears can be erect or floppy and unless the tail is docked it can be long, curling somewhat over the back. The coat is short and smooth and comes in shades of tan, brown and black.

Temperament:

The Carlin Pinscher is small but with a strong personality, being gentle and sweet in nature. He promises to be a loyal and affectionate companion for his human family, loving to be involved in all their activities.

He is an energetic, playful little dog and also intelligent, so apart from a walk and ball games, he’ll need some toys for indoors too that can provide physical- and mental stimulation. With early training and socialization, the Carlin Pinscher is a good friend of children and he will get on well with other pets in the house too. He is a small dog so children should be supervised and taught to handle him with gentleness and kindness.

Temperament:

The Canadian Pointer makes for an excellent family pet. He is intelligent, excitable, loving and devoted, forming a strong bond with his human family. Active and excitable, it is this very energetic characteristic which will require him needing training and socialization. He is inclined to want to jump up against his family at the sheer joy of seeing them.

Although he loves country life, his love of human companionship allows him to adapt to city life and he is non-aggressive and can be a placid pet with children and other pets in the home.

Looks:

The Canadian Pointer is a medium- to large sized breed of gundog. He has a lean, well muscled body with a short, coarse coat. The coat can be dark brown and white, black and white or a fawn color and white. The coat can also be freckled in parts.

He is a gundog belonging to the HPR group. HPR stands for hunting, pointing and retrieving. Weighing roughly 22–27kg, he stands about 56 – 76cm in height. Sometimes the tail is docked but otherwise it is left so that it’s medium length and is held straight out and level with the body. The ears of the Canadian Pointer are fairly short and floppy.

The Carlin Pinscher makes an ideal little pet and he will be content to live in a small home in the city or in the country, just so long as he is with an owner who loves and cares for him. They are balanced, easy-to-get-along-with dogs, being even-tempered, playful and outgoing.

He is active, intelligent, strong-willed, stubborn and brave. It is true that people who have kept mixed-breed dogs rave about them. Certainly mixed breed dogs have earned themselves a reputation for being superb family pets. They’re healthy, feisty, quaint and entertaining.

These days many mixed breeds are no longer pavement specials but part of careful breeding, such as with the Carlin Pinscher. He is full of personality and makes a great family pet, getting along with other animals and also being good around children.

The Canadian Pointer is a dog who thrives on hard work and they are strong-willed, confident and boisterous but never aggressive. They’re intelligent and alert and respond well to training and socialization. Once trained he works hard to please his owner.

The Canadian Pointer is independent and can be aloof around strangers, but he just loves his human family and makes every effort to please them and be around them whenever he can. Treat him properly and he will give you endless hours of enjoyment and companionship.

The Carlin Pinscher is a feisty little dog who can live to be up to 13, 14 or 15 years of age. He is a fairly healthy breed too, but there will always be some issues that the Carlin Pinscher might be prone to. Typical dog ailments include eye problems, hip dysplasia, liver problems, skin- and dental problems.

Liver Disease:

All liver problems with a dog are serious and will need veterinary intervention. A noticeable symptom of liver disease is jaundiced yellowing of the white of the eye. You might even see a yellowing on the underside of the ear flap. Your pet will have loss of appetite, constipation as well as highly colored urine.

Pointer dogs are looked upon as a healthy breed, but having said that, they aren’t immune to illness, and there are some common dog diseases that you should be aware of -

Hip Dysplasia:

This disease is caused by a malformation of the hip joint. This ailment can result in pain and discomfort for your pet as well as arthritis and even lameness. Unfortunately there is no cure but the vet can do a lot to make life more comfortable for your pet.

Progressive Retinal Atrophy

This is a genetic eye disease where your pet gradually loses vision. The retina deteriorates and stops functioning.

Grooming:

With his short, smooth coat, the Carlin Pinscher is a low to moderate shedder who is easy to maintain. The short coat will simply need a brush-down twice a week to rid him of loose hairs. If he is dusty, you can wipe the coat down with a warm, damp cloth.

Diet:

Every dog, large or small needs a balanced diet that consists of proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals and carbohydrates. A well balanced diet keeps a dog healthy but also in shape. A dog requires certain ingredients in its diet, depending on age, activity levels, size and stage of life such as pregnancy or illness.

For starters, dogs need fresh, cool water at all times. If you’re confused about dry kibble or semi-moist dog food for instance, speak to your vet about what your Carlin Pinscher needs. It’s always good to give your pet variety, so mixing in some rice, vegetables and meat will be wonderful for your pet as will some raw meat from time to time.

Training and Exercise:

The Canadian Pointer was specifically developed to be a hunter so he is an energetic dog. When it comes to caring for him, training and socialization can make him an even more amicable pet. He is muscled and lithe and you want to keep him that way by ensuring he is well exercised.

Take him on walks, into the park with ball and frisbee or let him run while you cycle. Don’t leave him without exercise as he can become frustrated and ill.

Grooming:

The Canadian Pointer is a low maintenance breed with his short coat. You’ll need to give his coat a good brushing twice a week to rid him of loose hairs to keep the hair shiny and healthy.

Check for Ear Infections:

Dogs like the Canadian Pointer with floppy ears will need to have their ears checked for infections to avoid hearing loss. You’ll see your dog shake his head, the inside of his ears may be red and he could have a moist discharge.

Remember that yeast and bacteria are problems with floppy-eared dog breeds and you’ll need to ensure that the ears are cleaned and kept dry. Be careful if you don’t know how to do it, and get advice from your veterinarian on how to attend to the ears of your dog.