What's the first thing you think of when you hear about the Miniature Pinscher? Many think he's a miniature Doberman. Others think he's simply yappy and tends to bite. Owners of this breed can tell you none of that is true.

In actuality, the Min Pin is fun loving, loyal and intelligent. He's earned his nickname as the King of the Toys.

There's no question that this breed has a bit of an attitude. They are courageous well beyond what their 10 pounds would indicate. They seem to think they weigh much more than that. You'll notice it in their proud walk with their high steps and head held high as well.

And because they are so loyal, proud and courageous, the Miniature Pinscher makes an excellent watchdog. But those same traits can make them difficult if not trained properly.

A good Min Pin owner quickly establishes himself as the alpha male or female. If this is not done, the dog can become a tyrant, thinking he's in charge of the household. Early training is a must and it needs to be consistent. You can't let your dog get away with bad behavior just because he's so cute. It can be tough sometimes to enforce discipline because of this, but it needs to be done. The good news is that Miniature Pinschers are easy to train because they are highly intelligent.

And if trained properly they are incredible pets. They are loving, loyal and very playful. And quite simply, they are fun to watch. They are the stand up comedians of the dog world.

Just make sure that if you have children, they don't play too rough. Yes the Min Pin is sturdy and incredibly playful, but he does only weigh 10 pounds. It's easy to forget how small he is when playing.

As for loyalty, the Miniature Pinscher can and will get along with everyone in your family. But they do tend to pick one person to become extremely attached to. You'll have a hard time finding a more loyal breed.

And Min Pins aren't just playful as puppies, they remain that way through their old age. Sure they are a bundle of energy and need exercise, but because of their size they can get plenty of it just running around your home or apartment. And don't think you need to keep up with them. They'll have a blast playing by themselves with you watching.

And when play time is over they'll be happy to sit there right next to you. So if you want a family pet that's loyal, fun, smart and easy to care for, the Miniature Pinscher may be just the breed you're looking for.