The Miniature Pinscher, also known as the Min Pin by fanciers, is a toy bree of dog. Miniature Pinschers were first bred to hunt vermin, especially rats. In its native Germany, the dog is known as the Zwergpinscher. Pinscher, is the German word for biter and Zwerg means Dwarf in German. The Miniature Pinscher is also known as the "King of the Toy Dogs". Though the Miniature Pinscher is considered a toy breed, it is in fact one of the oldest of the terrier breeds. Only in the North America and the United Kingdom is this breed in the toy classification. In Europe and its native Germany it competes against the German Pinscher and is listed in as a terrier.