With
Russell and Marilyn Stedman and their
Miniature
Pinscher Shayna
By Joy
Hinkson.
I first
heard about Shayna, Russell and Marilyn Stedman’s
Miniature
Pinscher from Charlotte Libchitz when she
told me about her terrier Gigi’s best friend and
playmate.
Later,
while walking, I met Russell and Shayna and I asked
if he would like Shayna’s story in our column.
Russell was happy to oblige and invited me to hear
her story at his home.
Marilyn
and Russell’s daughter Karen started out by raising
miniature poodles in Pengrove. One of these poodles,
Mister, was the Stedmans beloved pet for many years.
Karen then decided to expand her business and with a
partner moved to Lancaster where she started to
raise and show
Miniature
Pinschers, Mini Pins, for
short. Meanwhile Mister had gone to his reward and
Russell and Marilyn did without a dog for several
years. On one occasion, while visiting Karen, they
where shown a tiny pup just a few days old. Russell
said she fit in his hand on her back with her four
long skinny legs sticking up comically like soda
straws. Karen said that the pup had an under bite,
therefore she would not be suitable for showing.
Karen asked her parents if they would like to adopt
the pup after she was weaned. That is how Shayna,
which means pretty girl, became an important member
of the Stedman family.
Shayna
takes her job as watchdog very seriously and is
always on alert for movement outside her home.
Russell says she has never bitten anyone even though
she can present a brave front. She likes to run up
and down the back of the couch looking for danger
outside the window. I noticed that she also likes to
sit in Russell’s lap. After the appropriate checking
out the “stranger” time she warmed to me and let me
scratch her back. She has many friends on the street
where she lives and they have treats for her when
she visits. I’m constantly amazed at the ways pets
have to communicate to their owners Russell said
that when Shayna wants to go out to relieve herself
she brings him a toy. Out they go, Shayna with her
toy in her mouth this she lays down to do her
business then picks it back up to indicate she is
done. She is a tease, and will bark at the door
asking to go out, then, when Russell approaches her
with the leash will run off till she has had enough
then will let Russell put on the leash. Shayna also
has funny habit when out walking, if a passing
person doesn’t stop and say hello she will make a
sudden fierce (and I imagine frightening) noise then
will sit down to check out the reaction.
While
taking pictures of Shayna and Russell I noticed
several interesting carvings placed around the
sitting room. Russell tells me that his hobby is
carving and that the carvings are his. What a
marvelous talent! I took pictures of them also.
Discription Of
Miniature
Pinschers.
I
looked up a description of the Mini Pins on the
internet. They are a small compact muscular, sleek
dog with square proportions and well-chiseled lines.
The top line is level or sloping slightly towards
the rear. The front legs are straight with small
catlike feet. The muzzle is strong and in good
proportion to the rest of the dog. Teeth should meet
in a scissors bite. Eyes are dark, bright and oval.
Cropping the ears is optional, but the tail is
always docked. Their easy care coats are short and
usually are red but may be black & tan or chocolate.
They have an unusual high prancing gait. They are
hardy little fellows and are very demanding and
headstrong. This proud, overly courageous dog likes
to bark. They are loyal to their masters, spirited
and alert, with high energy. Intelligent, lively and
brave, it is a big dog in a little dog’s body. The
Mini Pin is moderately protective, some can be very
aggressive with other dogs but depending on how they
are brought up as young pups are generally good with
other pets and children. They are good for apartment
life and will be active indoors, doing okay without
a yard. They live about 15 years or more. The
Miniature
Pinscher is not related to the
Doberman
Pinscher but were developed in Germany from
Terrier
breeds to help keep the rat population down in the
stables.
They
are a very healthy breed
