A Brief History
In its homeland, Germany, he was renown as a ratter; a hunter of rodents and vermin. The name �Pinscher� originated from a trait of the breed. The paws are used for the �catch� (I.e. rats and mice) as well as in play. Pinscher means grasping or catching.
Originally the lines had both smooth and wire coated puppies. When the Pinscher-Schnauzer Club was founded in 1895, it was agreed the only the smooth-coated Pinscher would be bred. It was the main goal of breeders at that time. Thus, Standard Schnauzers and GPs are distantly related.
Louis Doberman was so impressed with the temperament and beauty of the GP that he used them to help create his own larger version of the breed: the Doberman Pinscher.
Due to the two World Wars, the GP began to slowly diminish in his homeland. In the mid 1950s, Werner Jung saved the breed from extinction. Herr Jung was able to find a few of these dogs left in Germany and started a serious breeding program. It is because of his efforts that we are able to enjoy this wonderful breed today.
The GP is considered to be one of the foundation breeds of both the Doberman and Miniature Pinscher.