Miniature Pinscher

=Harlequin=

Harlequin Pinscher's are not true harlequins. Harlequins are white with black spots, and if they do show dilution its usually around the spots and is a fault. Harlequin Pinscher's are really just merle, but they have large black spots which is rather odd for dogs with the merle gene, it could be because they are solid black, but that is merely a theory. They also have a higher percentage of merle pups, it appears around 75% of pups born from a harlequin dam or sire are harlequin, and usually with merle it is 25%, not 75%.

Harlequin Pinscher's are not purebreds, the merle gene was introduced to the breed through Rat Terriers. This does not however mean that it should not be standard, as harlequin pinscher's existed before the breed was founded, and therefore should be standard.