The Affenpinscher breed of dog is an adorable small four-legged friend who belongs in the toy dog family.
The Affenpinscher
In Germany, the Affenpinscher is known as The Monkey Terrier (Affen meaning ape/monkey and pinscher meaning Terrier).
In France, they call it Diablotin Moustache (The Mustached Devil)
These sorts of descriptions should give you some sort of inside into their looks as well as their character.
This dog is full of energy, very feisty and described as having self-confidence with an air of comic seriousness.
The Affenpinscher is thought to be a descendant of a number of Terriers that populated the 17th to 18th centuries.
It was used to get rid of vermin from stables and shops all over Europe.
These intelligent dogs must have caught the eye of the wealthy ladies and were eventually bred to become a smaller breed.
As smaller dogs, their job changed, and they became companion dogs for wealthy ladies.
This little dog is a good traveler and always ready for an adventure.
They are sensitive and gentle except for when they sense danger.
Then they try and become a big dog in a little dog’s body.
AFFENPINSCHER CHARACTERISTICS AND TEMPERAMENT
Lively, playful, bold and also fearless is a good way to describe the Affenpinscher.
They are intelligent dogs that are easy to train, but stubbornness may make it difficult to house train.
Despite their small size, they make great watchdogs and do not back down from a fight.
The Affenpinscher is loyal and does its little best to protect its family.
It is very important to keep them away from big dogs as they will try and take them on.
This little dog is very excitable and once alert, it can take it a while to calm down.
It won’t hesitate to alert the whole neighborhood that someone is on its territory.
They need firm, consistent training and socialization from an early age.
This breed needs daily exercise and does best in a home with a garden.
WHAT TO EXPECT AS AN ADULT AFFENPINSCHER
Affenpinschers are active, adventurous, curious and a bit stubborn.
They are quick to learn basic tricks however they may be difficult to house train.
They require daily exercise but only around an hour day.
This exercise would be better taken in 15-minute blocks throughout the day.
Playtime taken in with walk time will help their mental energy as well as their physical.
The Affenpinscher is a lively, playful dog that is also fearless and bold.
Despite their small size, they make great watchdogs and do not back down from a fight.
They are not really suited to apartment living.
Being a fierce watchdog means there is a tendency to bark when they hear a noise.
This means apartment living can be tricky due to the noise they can generate.
They do best in a home with a garden.
They can get along with other dogs as long as they are socialised with them from an early age.
Be wary however of the Affenpinscher with small furry pets and cats because they do like to chase.
Affenpinschers do not particularly like children, especially small ones and can bite if provoked.
Therefore, families with either teenage children or no children would be best suited for this breed.
Without young children, you could devote the time and energy that your Affenpinscher will need.
These little dogs can form strong bonds with their owner and their families and can become very protective.
APPEARANCE AND SIZE OF AFFENPINSCHER’S
Small and compact with a muscular and square-proportioned body makes the Affenpinscher a cute little fella.
The head is proportionate to the body and the muzzle is short.
The eyes are small and dark.
The ears are set high on the head and may be cropped or left natural.
The hair on the head is usually shorter than on the body.
The Affenpinscher has a wiry, rough coat that is black, with a tan or grey streak in some breeds.
This breed sheds little to no hair.
The Affenpinscher typically weighs between 6 and 8 pounds
Its height is 9 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder.
Size. Small
Life Span. 12 to 14 years
The UK Kennel Club = Group Toy
GROOMING A AFFENPINSCHER
It is important that although this dog does not shed, they must be brushed regularly with a slicker brush.
Spray detangler solution on any mats you come across then use your finger to break them up.
There is a lot more to grooming the Affenpinschers coat to achieve a distinctive appearance.
It can easily be learned, your dog breeder can show you or ask on the Affenpinschers Club Site.
Gentle and patient grooming can help both you and your dog bond.
The earlier you start to groom your dog the better, make it a positive experience filled with praise and rewards.
Then when your little dog pays a visit to the Vet it will be used to being handled.
An Affenpinscher’s teeth do need cleaning every day to help stop Periodontal Disease.
If nails are not worn down naturally they will require trimming around once a month.
You can tell if they want a trim if you hear them clicking on your floor.
Ears and Eyes need to be inspected once a week.
Daily attention should be paid to the fur around the mouth, because of the food which will gather there.
GAMES AND TRAINING
The Affenpinscher is an intelligent breed, however, they can be stubborn.
They will require firm and consistent training along with socialization from an early age.
Crate training is recommended for this little dog, especially while house training.
The key to training the Affenpinscher is always to keep training fun and use lots of praise and motivation.
FOOD AND HEALTH
Toy dogs have a fast metabolism, which means they burn energy at a rapid rate.
This means they must eat a little and often.
Wet food for small dogs is specifically designed with the correct nutrients.
Small kibble not only has the correct nutrients but is designed for smaller mouths.
Smaller kibble encourages smaller dogs to chew and so improves their digestion.
Measure your Affenpinscher’s food out twice a day rather than leaving food out all of the time.
How much your dog eats depends on his age, size, build metabolism and activity level.
Dogs like people are individuals and all dogs don’t require the same amount of food.
Therefore a highly active dog will need a lot more food than a dog that doesn’t do much exercise.
The food you buy will make a big difference
The better the quality of food the less you will need to nourish and feed your dog.
The Affenpinscher is usually a healthy dog but can sometimes suffer from certain health conditions.
Some of the common ones are listed below.
Patellar Luxation
Hip Dysplasia
Heart Murmurs
Respiratory Issues
CONCLUSION
Do you want a small dog you can take on short walks throughout the day?
Do you enjoy training and have a lot of patience?
Do you want a little dog that is loving to its owner and the extended adult family?
Do you want a little dog that is big in character and can be feisty?
Do you want a little dog that can be a good guard dog?
Do you want a little dog that can make you laugh with the antics it can get up to?
If you want these things out of your pet then the little Affenpinscher could be the dog for you.
Always do research when buying your new pet and buy from a reliable breeder.
