Home » Dog breed » Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher

  • by
Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is a compact and sturdy toy dog that is expressive and alert. The Affenpinscher, also referred to as the Monkey Terrier, is a terrier-like toy Pinscher breed of puppy.

Affenpinscher content overview

History of Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest dog breeds that originated from Germany. The name is derived from the German Affe. Affenpinschers were created in Germany, wherein the 16th and 17th centuries, they been used to control the rodent population in kitchens, granaries, shops, and stables. These dogs were called Ratters or Ratting Terriers and were simply the farm or shop dog, operating at large and sleeping at the stables. Their goal was to kill rats. In 17th-century central Europe, many tiny terriers were specialists in dispatching rats. These terriers were utilized in Germany to maintain stables and kitchens.

Origin: Germany

The Affen is thought to have affected the development of such Subsequent European Strains since the Brussels Griffon and the Miniature Schnauzer.
Clubs dedicated to the strain sprung up around France and Germany from the late 1800s, and in 1936 the American Kennel Club welcomed Athens to its ranks.

Affenpinschers almost disappeared during World War II. After the war finished, fanciers spanned the remaining German inventory and the Griffon Bruxellois, which exaggerated the exceptional face that explains the breed now.

Different names or Types

Other names

  • Affen
  • Affie
  • African Terrier
  • Monkey Dog
  • Monkey Terrier

Recognized Names

Recognition

  • North American Purebred Registry, Inc – NAPR
  • Federation Cynologique Internationale – FCI
  • Australian National Kennel Club – ANKC
  • American Canine Association Inc – ACA
  • Kennel Club of Great Britain – KCGB
  • Dog Registry of America, Inc – DRA
  • America’s Pet Registry, Inc – APRI
  • New Zealand Kennel Club – NZKC
  • American Canine Registry – ACR
  • Continental Kennel Club – CKC
  • Canadian Kennel Club – CKC
  • American Kennel Club – AKC
  • National Kennel Club – NKC

Appearance & Characteristics

The Affenpinscher has a neat but shaggy appearance with an endearing facial expression accentuated by a flat face, prominent chin, bushy eyebrows, mustache, and beard.

Breed basic characteristics

Origin Germany
Group Toy group
Size:  Small
Lifespan:  12-15 years
Trainability:  High
Exercise Needs: Medium
Grooming:  Regular grooming
Barking:  Frequent
Shedding: Low
Protective Ability: Good with Kids
Brushing:  Brushed regularly
Hypoallergenic Breed:  No
Space Requirements: Gardens and yards
Compatibility With Other Pets: Good
Average Puppy Price: ‎Average $800 – $1200 USD
Height 9-11.5 inches
Weight 7-10 pounds
Litter size
1 – 3 puppies, average 2

Sound

Behavior

The Affenpinscher adores his family and is fine with other family pets, especially when raised with them. Affenpinschers have a mind of their own, and without a firm hand, they can be obstinate and demanding, tossing tantrums or sulking when they don’t get their way.

Size, Proportion, Substance

Size: 

Affenpinschers are small-sized dogs. Their height ranges between 9 to 11 inches, and they weigh between 7-10 pounds.

Proportion: 

Body proportions give a square appearance. The height, measured at the withers, is approximately the same as the body length, measured from the shoulder’s point to the point of the buttocks.

Substance:

Serious Faults:

Head

The head is in proportion to the body, carried confidently with a monkey-like facial expression.
Skull: Round and domed, but not coarse. Stop -Well-defined.
Muzzle: Short and narrowing slightly to a blunt nose. The length of the muzzle is approximately the same as the distance between the eyes.
Eyes: Round, dark, brilliant, and medium-size in proportion to the head but not bulging or protruding. Eye rims are black.
Ears: Cropped to a point, set high and standing erect; or natural, standing erect, semi-erect, or dropped.
Teeth: The teeth and tongue do not show when the mouth is closed. The lower jaw is broad enough for, the lower teeth to be straight and even.

Neck, Topline, Body

Neck: The short, straight neck is carried upright and is free from throatiness.
Topline: Short and straight. Topline straight and level.
Body: The chest is moderately broad and deep; ribs are moderately sprung. Tuckup is slight. The back is short and level with a strong loin.
Serious Faults:

Forequarters

Shoulders: They are with moderate layback. The length of the shoulder blade and the upper arm are about equal.
Feet: Feet small, round, and compact with black pads and nails.
Elbows: Close to the body.
Font legs: straight when viewed from any direction. Pasterns short and straight.

Hindquarters

Angulation in the hindquarters is moderate.

Rear Legs: Rear angulation is moderate to match the front.
Hind Legs: Hindlegs straight when viewed from behind. From the side, hind legs are set under the body to maintain a square appearance.
Tail: Tail may be docked or natural. A docked tail is generally between 1 and 2 inches long, set high, and carried erect. The natural tail is set high and carried curved gently up over the back while moving.

Coat

They have Dense hair, rough, harsh, and about 1 inch in length on the shoulders and body. It may be shorter on the rear and tail. Head, neck, chest, stomach, and legs have a longer, less harsh coat.

Winter Coat:
Summer Coat:

Shedding:
Affenpinschers often appear on lists of dogs that allegedly do not shed. The length of time of the growing and shedding cycle varies by breed, age, whether the dog is inside or outside dog. Frequent grooming reduces the amount of loose fur in the environment.

Color and Markings

Black, gray, silver, red, black, and tan, or bulges are all acceptable.

Coat Color and Markings

The Affenpinscher has a rough, swirled coating normally strong black coat, however occasionally gray or brownish. Tan or crimson markings could be present. The Affenpinscher coat is shaggy, at roughly an inch in length, and the hair is more but less thick on the legs and face. The Affenpinscher has a minimal degree of shedding.

Gait: Light, free, sound, balanced, confident, the Affenpinscher carries itself with comic seriousness. Viewed from the front or rear, while walking, the legs move parallel to each other.

Personality and Temperament

Personality

They are high-energy dogs who are considered to be curious, playful, active, and strong-headed. They are also confident and lovable, and above all, loyal. The breed possesses impressive forepaw agility and has a penchant for grappling and tossing toys. These little dogs are alert and ready at all times to protect their owner, his home, and possessions. The Affen has a great many endearing little traits that you seldom find in other breeds.

The Affenpinscher is a bold, alert, loving, and very loyal breed. Additional words that describe his personality include Fun-loving, Spunky, Curious, Adventurous, Stubborn, Playful, and Active.

Temperament

The temperament of the Affenpinscher is often described as “comically serious.” It is said they are “little ruffians with a swagger” also. Affenpinschers are territorial when it has to do with their toys and food, so they aren’t suggested for houses with very tiny kids. This dog is largely silent but can turn out to be quite excited if attacked or threatened and shows no anxiety of any aggressor.

Activity Requirements

The Affenpinscher dog requires a good daily walk to ensure that it is mentally and physically exercised. Play will take care of many of their exercise needs, but as with all breeds, play will not fulfill their instinct to go for a walk. Dogs that do not get to go on daily walks are more likely to display behavior problems. Affenpinschers will also enjoy a good play in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced-in yard.

Behavioral Traits

This very small dog, with a penchant for mischief, makes a fantastic therapy dog. These dogs travel well, accommodate nicely in fresh surroundings, and make people laugh, making them the perfect visitor for raising the spirits of the elderly or the ill.

Trainability

Training can be hard, as they view themselves more as small folks than as puppies, and training sessions have to be made enjoyable, cooperative events, together with lots of reward and variety for smaller achievements. For the reasons outlined previously, even just a well-trained Affenpinscher shouldn’t be allowed off the lead at a public room.

Energetic Affenpinschers may enjoy agility and advanced tricks training. They’re a breed that loves to show off and will take any chance to do so. Recent wins in the show ring have put the Affenpinscher in the conformation ring spotlight.

Affenpinscher health & problems

Health & problem

The average life span of an Affenpinscher is 9 to 15 years. Due to their small size, they may be at an increased risk of suffering tracheal damage from the incorrect use of collars and leashes. Supplements that support joint health and walking this breed on a harness instead of a collar and leash can lower this health risk. Other breed health concerns may include the following:

  • Heart Problems
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Hernias
  • Cataracts
  • Portosystemic Shunts
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Sebaceous Cysts
  • Von Willebrand Disease
  • Oligodontia

Feeding Plan

Offer your Affenpinscher 1/4 into 1/2 cup of food each day, split between a couple of meals. This level is based on typical weight and activity level. Affen might have dental problems and may necessitate a unique diet to adopt missing teeth or sting alignment issues. In case your Affenpinscher shows any symptoms of resource guarding, check a behaviorist to ascertain the best approach to handle it. Children should not be permitted to touch or eliminate food from any dog when it’s eating.

It’s also important to feed a premium dog food that is made meat predominantly. Nowadays, many pet food companies utilize concentrated vegetable proteins to cut costs.

  • Affenpinscher pups between 8 and 12 weeks old need 4 meals in a day.
  • Feed Affen puppies 3 to 6 months old three meals each day.
  • Feed puppies 6 months to 1 year 2 times in a 24 period.
  • When your Affenpinscher hits his or her 1st birthday, 1 meal every 24 hours is adequate.
  • Some adult Affenpinscher might do better with 2 smaller helpings. It is your responsibility to learn your Affenpinscher’s eating tendencies.

Living conditions

Affenpinschers are toy dogs with a fearless attitude. Because of this, they should be strictly indoor dogs. If they are outside, they will need to be monitored not only because their small size makes them an easy target for large birds and other animals but also because their bold attitude can provoke other animals.

How to take care?

Affenpinscher Exercise needs

The Affenpinscher does not require a great deal of exercise and will be content with as little as half an hour of daily walking to spend most of its time living indoors. They will also enjoy a good romp in a safe open area off lead, such as a large fenced-in yard. Teach them to enter and exit the door and gateways after the humans.

Grooming & Bruising

These dogs have short, wiry, coarse hair, which naturally looks shaggy and messy. They require a lot of grooming and no trimming. Not only will you need to brush its coat several times a week, but you’ll also have to strip it a few times a year. This dog involves pulling dead hair out by hand.

The Affen’s coat does not grow quickly, so trimming a pet Affen every few months should suffice. The breed’s national parent club, the Affenpinscher Club of America, provides a detailed grooming guide. Affen should also have their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed regularly.

Dental Health Check-up

Dental disease is the most common chronic problem in pets, affecting 80% of all dogs by age two. And unfortunately, your Affie is more likely than other dogs to have problems with her teeth. It starts with tartar build-up on the teeth and progresses to infection of the teeth’ gums and roots.

Proper dental health care is important for every dog; similarly, it is very important for the Affenpinscher dog. Brush your dog’s teeth at least 2 or 3 times a week. You get a special toothbrush for dogs, and your vet can guide you on how to use them. If you don’t attend to your pet’s teeth, he can experience tartar build-up. This dog can lead to gum disease and tooth loss. Not only that, bad teeth can affect other parts of the body too.

Love & affection

Love and affection are useful for every dog. Suppose you give love and affection to your Affenpinscher, then the dog will love you back. Your Affenpinscher puppy will be a member of your family, So Give lots of love and affection to your cute puppy. Most importantly, spend time with your dog because your dog needs love and affection.

Feed Healthy food

Feeding healthy food in the dog’s life is the most important. On this day, there are many healthy foods available on the market so that you can choose any healthy food for your dog. Healthy food is the most important for dog health care. The young Affenpinscher dog is not a hearty eater as most breeds his size. He must often encourage meat juices or bacon grease mix in the food to entice him to eat.

The Affenpinscher should do well on high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared, with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. In general, Affen needs a high protein, low grain diet, which helps prevent diarrhea and bloat. Always make sure that they have clean, fresh water for drinking. However, their diet needs, including the amount and frequency you feed them, will change over time as they age.

Feed your puppy several times a day so they can grow up to be big and strong. Don’t forget to provide your Affenpinscher with plenty of exercises to keep them from becoming overweight or obese.

The following items should never be feed to Affenpinscher

  • Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
  • Chocolate, coffee, or tea
  • Grapes or raisins
  • Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
  • Onions, chives, and garlic
  • Poultry bones
  • Salt & salty foods
  • Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit
  • Yeast dough

Affenpinscher Puppy information

Puppy Training

Start training your puppy the day you bring him home. Even at 8 weeks old, he is capable of soaking up everything you can teach him. Please don’t wait until he is 6 months old to begin training, or you will have a more headstrong dog to deal with it.

In training your Affenpinscher, remember that your dog considers himself your partner, not a subject to be dominated, and tends to be quite independent-minded.

Conventional dominance-based training methods typically do not work nicely with the Affenpinscher. Praise, play, and food are way more successful training tools than harsh corrections, which are very likely to create your Affenpinscher stubbornly refuse to get everything you need or even consciously rebel.

Crate training

The Affenpinscher Club of American strongly recommends using crate training in housebreaking your dog. At first, the thought of confining your dog in a small space might sound cruel, but unless a dog is sent to his crate as a punishment, this can be a highly effective and safe way for your dog to adjust to living in his new home.

Crate training is one of the most efficient and effective ways to train an Affenpinscher puppy. Puppies do not like to soil their resting or sleeping quarters if given adequate opportunity to eliminate elsewhere. Crate training also helps teach your Affenpinscher puppy to have bladder and bowel control. Instead of going whenever she feels like it, she learns to hold it and go at conveniently scheduled times.

Affenpinschers also tend to suffer from separation anxiety, which may result in their showing their displeasure if they’ve been left on their own for long periods by destroying objects in their reach. Crate training will help cut down on this behavior by giving the dog a haven to wait while their family is gone.

Behavioral training

Before teaching the basic commands, it is important to establish a close emotional relationship between the dog and the owner. Behavioral training is very important for any dog. All of us, dog owners, need to administer some dog behavior training at some point in time. This training is very helpful for taking care of the dog. First of all, if you want to train your puppy to behavioral training to find out some common behavioral issues like breaking, aggression, food guarding, howling, mouthing and chewing, separation anxiety, etc., and stop these behavioral issues and train your dog easily.

Obedience training

Affenpinschers are appearing more often in the obedience ring. For many decades it was wrongly thought these small puppies were “too stubborn to train”. The fact of the matter is that they’re quite smart little puppies, easily bored with repetitive or pressured training, also, like their terrier forebears, likely to think independently.

Obedience training usually refers to a dog’s training, and the term is most commonly used in that context. It ranges from very basic training, such as teaching the dog to reliably respond to basic commands such as “sit,” “down,” “come,” and “stay,” to high-level competition. Training a dog in obedience can be an ongoing and lengthy process depending on the dog, methods used, and the skill and understanding of both the trainer and the handler.

Socialization

Affenpinschers tend to be suspicious of strangers, so introducing your dog to outside influences can help him adjust to noise and people, especially if you’re considering showing your Affenpinscher in competition. Socialization can be as simple as taking your dog on errands with you, riding in the car, even walking on a leash in the park or around a shopping center.

Affenpinscher Puppy price

You can adopt an Affenpinscher at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder. The cost to adopt an Affenpinscher is around $300 to cover the dog’s expenses before adoption. In contrast, buying Affenpinschers from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Depending on their breeding, they usually cost anywhere from $800-$2,000.

Affenpinscher puppy for sale

Finding the right Affenpinscher puppy can be dog-gone hard work. PuppyFind provides a convenient and efficient means of selecting and purchasing the perfect Affenpinscher puppy (or Affenpinscher puppies) from the comfort of your home, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please take advantage of our PuppySearch or leisurely browse our directory of hundreds of dog breeds, Affenpinscher dog breeders, Affenpinscher dogs for adoption, and Affenpinscher puppy for sale listings with photos and detailed descriptions.

Find a breeder

Kennel Club Assured Breeders for Affenpinscher

  • Mrs. J Howie – Gillingham, Kent
  • Mrs. K Edwards – Newark, Nottinghamshire
  • Misses J Atkinson & L Clarke – Selby, North Yorkshire
  • Mrs. A J Teasdale – Weybridge, Surrey
  • Mrs. S L Pirrie -Calne, Wiltshire

Affenpinscher Rescue Group

Affenpinscher Rescue of America is an all-volunteer organization dedicated to helping Affenpinschers in need.

Things to consider adopting an Affenpinscher

If you’re seriously considering adopting an Affenpinscher, you should know.

  • Before you adopt an Affen, consider how much time your new family member will spend alone. Remember, a puppy requires constant attention.
  • Before you adopt a puppy, ask yourself if you can walk your dog several times throughout the day.
  • You also have the advantage of knowing that your dog is physically able to “hold it” for several hours at a stretch.
  • Ask anybody who has adopted an adult dog, then adopt an adult dog.
  • If you’re unsure whether the new dog you’ve chosen is right for your family and lifestyle, consider fostering before committing.

Advantages of Affenpinscher dog

  • Great watch dog
  • Minimal shedding
  • Playful, fun personality
  • More energetic than most dogs his size
  • Good with older children

Disadvantages of Affenpinscher dog

  • Can be difficult to housebreak
  • Intelligent but may be stubborn, does best with firm, consistent, positive training
  • Expensive to purchase
  • Regular grooming require

Affenpinscher Photo gallery

Got some questions? Or some suggestions? That’s why we’ve got a comments section on this blog! You can feel free to leave a comment or two down below, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible!

We love reading your messages……

Also read: Top 10 benefits of having a Beagle

Tags:

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *