Affenpinscher Information
Affenpinscher History
The Affenpinscher was a breed that originated in Germany around the 17th. century. It's namesake is derived from the German word "affe' which means monkey in english. The breed was created to be a ratter, working to remove rodents from kitchens, granaries, and stables, hence, it's small size.
Affenpinscher Temperament
Affenpinschers might look like terriers, but they are actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup. They get along well with other dogsand pets & are very lively, confident & curious. In other words, they are a little dog with a big dog attitude! They are loyaland affectionate to their family and love to play! They can be territorial when it comes to food and toys, so a family with small children is best suited to not own this breed. They also make a good guard dog, alerting it's owner when strangers come too near. As with most small dogs, they can be difficult to housetrain.
Affenpinscher Appearance & Breed Standard
Affenpinschers usually weigh between 7 to 9 pounds and the height may not exceede 11 inches . They have a harsh rough terrier-like coat and a monkey-like expression. Its coat is shaggier over the head and shoulders forming a mane, with shorter coat over the back and hind quarters. The UK breed standards specifies that the coat must be black, but the AKC also allows gray, silver, red, and tan. The ears are usually cropped, but some breeders choose to leave the ears natural.
Affenpinscher Grooming
Affenpinschers often appear on lists of dogs that do not shed, but they actually do. Since their coat is like a terriers, the hairs grow from a follice, so the coats require hand stripping to keep this dog looking at it's best. If you don't want to strip the coat, using clippers will suffice, as well. Overall, this is a dog that is pretty easy to maintain, with a good brushing once or twice a week.
Affenpinscher Life Expectancy & Health Problems
The average lifespan of an affenpinscher is 10 to 12 years, which is a little shorter for a smaller breed dog. They are prone to Hip Displasia, Collapsed Trachea and occasionally Cataracts.
Affenpinscher Pros and Cons
This simplified list many help you with your decision on deciding if the Affenpinscher breed is a good fit for your lifestyle
Do You Want
- a small dog that is easy to pick up?
- a dog with a terrier like apperance?
- an excellent watch dog?
- a dog that doesn't shed a lot?
- a dog that doesn't require a lot of exercise?
Do You NOT Want
- a dog that barks a lot?
- a dog that can be stubborn at times?
- a dog that is difficult to house train?
Useful Affenpinscher Links
Affenworld- A website devoted to everything about Affenpinschers.