12 pounds in fact isn't that bad for a min pin... Especially if the standard is 8-11 pounds... That's only a one pound balance to the highest of the standards. If they are SERIOUSLY bigger then the standard, it's probably either bad breeding (a breeder who doesn't understand/care what they're doing), or simple overfeeding, which I see a lot of in smaller breeds.

Pups being bred from parents who don't obey to KC guidelines... owners overfeeding their 'babies'...too many titbits and not enough exercise..... Unfortunately, this is simple across the board - just look at the amount of fat rottweilers there are - owners trying to make them look bigger than cosmos intended..

Dogs get fat when they are overfed and spoilt with titbits or rewards.
One of the cardinal reasons for a fat dog is a dog is not fed a balanced diet, he is fed with table scraps and left over food.
incorrect feeding is one of the line reasons dogs get all sorts of illnesses, the only one who is really spoilt is the owner because the dog will give him more attention, especially at food times.
If you really love your dog, feed him properly, and did you know that chocolate...

Haha I have a mini pin that was very overwieght for about 6 yrs. He is 11 now. This dog acts like he is starving all the beforehand and being a minpin he doesnt just go away when you tell him no. They are some of the most head-strong, stubborn (and dare I say annoying) dogs on the planet. Everyone that I cognizant of that has one has the same issue. They really can convince you that they are going to die if they don't have just a little more food. He became such a little sausage that...

Unquestionably bad breeding and people overfeeding their dogs. Over half the dogs I see outside are overweight. These days grossness is as much a problem for dogs as it is for people. I've noticed that min pinschers like to beg, which only adds to the problem as most people don't be versed when to stop feeding their dog. Also, those same people probaby don't exercise their dogs as much as they should.

The gas main reason you see so many chunky minpins is the same reason you see obese labs, and many other breeds. People overfeed them!
Minpins are celebrated for being stomaches on four legs. They are NOT a breed to free feed at any time. They are great beggers and people eat them table scraps. They need tons of exercise and people don't realize that.
Minpins are very leaning to diabetes, so all those overweight pins you see could potentially have diabetes as well.
A...

as anne famed, much has to do with their inherit ability to want to eat everything they see. The other is the fact that breed standard is not always correct with regards to build or bone arrange of dogs.Miniature Pinschers are in fact terriers and unfortunately North American breeders have instead of working to dry the real Miniature PInscher have tried to overly refine it so to keep it a "Toy" breed. By doing so they have worked to redress them somewhat smaller structurally then...