Although appearing similar to the Doberman Pinscher, the Minpin is not a "Miniature Doberman". Rather, the breed is much older. Although, the miniature pinscher has appeared in paintings and sculptures several centuries ago, the factual documentation on this breed goes back less than 200 years. The Doberman Pinscher was bred by Lois Dobermann in 1890 to resemble a Miniature Pinscher. Both Miniature Pinscher and Dobermann Pinscher share common ancestors. Similarities between the two may result from a common genetic relation to the German Pinscher. Some genetic stock may have been contributed by the Italian Greyhound, the Manchester Terrier, and the Dachshund. The source of confusion regarding the relationship between the Doberman and the Miniature Pinscher may have been the result of a Miniature Pinscher breed standard from the 1930s, which basically stated that the breed should appear as a Doberman in miniature. The Miniature Pinscher was imported into the U.S. in 1919 and was first registered with the American Kennel Club in 1925.