Affenpinscher Dog Breed Proifle

Also known as: Affen , Monkey Dog

Country of Origin: Germany

Dog Group Kennel Club: Toy

General Appearance:

The Affen is a small, compact terrier-type dog with bushy eyebrows and a mischievous monkey like expression. They have a coat of dense shaggy hair, which is rough and harsh. It is 1" in length on the shoulders and body. The head, neck, chest, stomach, and legs have a longer and less harsh coat. Once they reach maturity this breed has a mane of hair at the neck area, longer hair on the head, eyebrows, and a beard. Affenpinschers carry their head with confidence, their skull is round and domed, ears can be erect, semi-erect, dropped or cropped erect. Affenpinschers tail is naturally long and curves over their back, it can be docked or carried erect. Their coat serves as protection in extreme weather conditions. They are low shedding.

Colours:
Black, gray, silver, or black and tan, red, Sometimes white on their chest.
Size:
Bitch             24cm (9") 28cm (11")
Dog               24cm (9") 28cm (11")

Weight:

                          Min               Max

Bitch            3kg (7lbs)    4kg (9lbs)
Dog               3kg (7lbs)    4kg (9lbs) 


Care and training:

The Affenpinscher requires minimal grooming. Their harsh coat must never be clipped short as this will ruin it for many years. Brushing and combing weekly is a must, plucking done when necessary. They will occasionally have stray hairs that grow in the corners of the eyes that cause irritation; they should be removed immediately.Ear, tooth, and nail care are required weekly.

Affens are intelligent dogs who are very self-confident. They are amenable to training but this needs to start early as they can be strong-willed and some of their terrier characteristics can prove a nuisance if not adequately checked.

Temperament:

The Affenpinscher is an active, adventurous, curious, and stubborn, but they are also fun-loving and playful. The Affenpinscher breed is confident, lively, affectionate towards family members and also very protective of them. They are known to be loyal little dogs who enjoys being with their family. They get along well with other pets they have been raised with but are not recommended for young children as this breed has a tendency to guard and protect their food and toys.Afens tend to dislike strangers and show it, careful socialising as a puppy will help reduce this aggressiveness. They also have a loud yap and make good alarm dogs giving warning of any approach.

Movement:

They have a lively, strutting movement.

Overall Exercise: 20 - 40 minutes per day.
Although the Affen is a small dog he is very active and requires a reasonable amount of daily exercise which because of his size, should be supervised to prevent damage to legs or eyes. They will enjoy playing games which exercise their considerable intelligence but these should not be too rough or boisterous.

Feeding requirements:
The Affen is an undemanding dog to feed with no special dietary requirements. They generally have a good appetite although occasionally they may become fussy eaters. There is a tendency to overeat and become overweight if a careful watch is not kept on their food consumption.

Exercise: Low

Grooming: Low

Noise: Med

Personal Protection: Low

Suitability As Guard Dog: Low

Level of Aggression: Medium

Compatibility With Other Animals: Medium

Suitablity for Children: Medium

Often docked? No

Average litter: 2 - 3

Life expectancy (yrs): 14 - 15

Health issues:

Usually very healthy. Good grooming will prevent skin and coat problems. The Affenpinscher has fine bones and should never jump off of furniture. Special care is needed for their teeth. Susceptible to eye ulcers and infection, Legg-Perthese disease, luxating patellas, patent ductus arterious.

History:

Little is know about the origin of the Affenpinscher. They can be traced back to the 1600s, though some say it is an ancestor of the Brussels Griffon. The Affenpinscher was created to be a ratter, working to remove rodents from kitchens, granaries and stables. Once a prized possession of royalty it made its way into a few paintings by Old Masters. Affenpinschers are considered one of the oldest toy dogs. Today they are somewhat rare in the USA.