We are Martin and Jay Horgan, and we live in Staffordshire with our Dobermanns, German Pinscher and Burmese cat.

We have bred, shown, trained and worked Dobermanns for many years at the highest level, achieving the Top UK Breeder title, breeding the UK bitch breed record holder, the highest qualified Schutzhund dog, and having bred the most titled litter in UK breed history.

In late 2009 we imported a beautiful German Pinscher female from the world renowned Ceriinan kennels of Anja Nikkonen, and have since added to the team with imported Pinschers owned, and in partnership with friends and existing Dobermann owners Karen & Colin Wakefield in Cornwall and Dave & Gay Clarke from Derbyshire.

Left 2010 then we were four
Right - 2011 now we are six (Lindt is at home close to having pups).

Small progress, but we are looking forward to showing the new pups Bella and Mia next year. Their only show in 2011 will be LKA, but without breed classes we'll be very lucky if they qualify for Crufts 2011. We'll do our best!

I had been considering a smaller breed to run parallel with the Dobes for some years, but the right breed never really came along for me - I didn't want a toy breed, nor all the grooming which goes with many terrier breed. I liked the Schnauzer, but didn't want the stripping of the coat (Pinschers are the short coated version of the Medium Schnauzer). Having always had an interest in Pinschers, I was browsing on the Dabney's website one day and was captivated by their Finnish import Clefell's Jaguar. Martin had shown the Swanwite Pinschers a couple of times to help out so I knew it might not be hard work to persuade him. It also worked out well as German Pinschers are in the Working Group - same day as Dobes.

The Pinscher show team is - Jay with Pandora 'Dora', Karen with Wishful Thinking 'Sassy', and Dave with Va Bene 'Lindt' and 'Quiero'. We chose all bloodlines very carefully with a view to producing sound breeding and good health in the future. Thank you to the three breeders whose dogs we have, who have allowed us to bring your breeding to start a strong new foundation in the UK.

The biggest hindrance with Pinschers is that even those involved in showing with other breeds don't seem to know what they are! No it's not a Manchester Terrier, nor a Miniature Pinscher and it's not a miniature or baby Dobermann! When I'm walking around a show with an adult Dobe and Dora (who is black) I frequently hear 'aah, look at that puppy...'. Karen with her two brown Dobes and newly imported red female Sassy was amused when someone thought it was 'Mummy, Daddy and baby dog!' The correct spelling is Pinscher, not German Pincher or German Pinser.

The Health of the German Pinscher is very good overall and their character is wonderful - although not for the soft and fluffy owner! Like Dobermanns, German Pinschers are not for everyone - they have a lot of attitude and certainly not for a first time dog owner, but if you lead an active life, are looking for a medium sized breed with high energy, hugely protective, a great guard dog - who really means it - loving, and devoted the Pinscher could be for you.

The reason it is so difficult to find German Pinscher puppies is because there are very few German Pinscher breeders. We can hopefully increase numbers of German Pinscher puppies for sale to good 'dog' people who like a small/medum sized dog with a big character.