The Harlequin Pinschers native land and place of origin is Germany. The first German documentation for the Miniature Pinscher was established in 1880. The first Breed Standard was established in 1895 by the Germany Pinscher Klub now called the Pinscher-Schnauzer Klub. The colors listed were Red/Yellow, Gray-Yellow, blue/tan, Black; Gray like iron or Silver Gray, either one color or with yellow-brow or light red marking at the eyes, muzzle and legs. Of one color, blond, or dirty gray-white or white with black spots. In my personal opinion of the standard I see this as being, Chocolate/Tan being the Red/Yellow with marking. Gray-yellow would be Fawn/Tan. Black is self explanatory, Gray like iron or Silver Gray would most likely be the Blue version. The blond would be Red, Dirty Gray-White would most likely be Merle/Harlequin and my guess is that the white with black spots was the Double Merle version of the Harlequin or it could be possible that at one time there was actually Piebald in the breed as well.
The Harlequin Pinscher was the merle variety of the Miniature Pinscher that first appeared during the late 1800s. It's true origin is unknown as at that time the merle coloring did not occur in any terrier breeds thus making the Merle Pinscher and later known as the Harlequin Pinscher the first Terrier breed to come in the Merle pattern. It is thought that small sized Pinschers were probably crossed to either some breed of merle hound or merle herding dog resulting in the merle Miniature Pinscher. The true origin however is unknown, as I previously stated, as little to no documentation was kept on the development of the breed and will assuredly remain that way. Just as the merle coloring was a variation from the normal Miniature Pinscher so was their temperament as they are more laid back and are not as suitable for use as Ratters as are the other variety of Miniature Pinscher.
In the 1920's the Harlequin version of the Miniature Pinscher became part of a controversial subject in the German Miniature Pinscher Breed Club and was unfortunately removed from the German Breed Standard and was forced to start their own breed, which became known as "Harlequin Pinscher". The Original Harlequin Pinscher breed standard established in 1923 called for it to be 12-14 inches tall being 22-26 pounds in weight. The color variations were Harlequin on a white, gray or black background having a black or self-colored nose according to coat.
Some early breeders of the Harlequin Pinscher however were unaware of the genetic makeup of the Harlequins and the gorgeous but semi-fatal status of the Merle gene. Over a period of years the dogs became decreasing in number due to hereditary defects.
The American Kennel Club allowed the first registration of a Miniature Pinscher on March 31, 1925, which was an imported one from Germany and was listed as being "black, red, brown".
The Miniature Pinscher Club of America, Inc., was formed in 1929 and became the AKC Breed Club for the Miniature Pinscher. Prior to the formation of the MPCA the Miniature Pinscher was shown in the Miscellaneous class but was changed to the Toy Class.
A foursome of Harlequin Pinschers was shown at Crufts in 1938.
One breeder in the United States was known to of bred Harlequin Reh Pinschers in the "Black & White" variety as late as 1940.
It has been said that there were Harlequin or spotted variety and some Brindles still being bred in or around Karlsbad, Austria, Hannover in North Germany and in Wurttemberg in South Germany as late as the 1950's. Sadly due to the lack of knowledge about the merle gene these dogs are belived to be extinct.
Edited text By: Nancy Anderson
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