The Affenspinscher
This small pup, known for its pert monkey-like expression, is full of curiousity and confidence. Loving but mischievous, thereโs a whole lot of dog in this pint-sized package. Is the Affenpinscher right forย you? Letโs find out.
Early Historyย
Considered one of the oldest of the Toy breeds, the Affenpinscher has been around for centuries. Dogs unmistakably Affen-like can be seen in European artwork dating back to the 1600s. The dogs pictured are larger than todayโs Affenpinscher, but unmistakable.
The breedโs earliest known roots trace back to Germany. Loosely translated, โaffenโ means โape,โ and โpinscherโ means โterrier.โ As far as back as the 1500s, various small terriers were staples in homes, shops, and farms throughout Germany and most of Europe. Their purpose? To control the rodent population. The Affenpinscher was one of the smaller terriers used for this purposeโand they excelled at their task.
Affens were selectively bred to emphasize their ratting skills and maintain their distinctive appearance. In the course of history, weโve lost the exact mix of breeds, but experts believe that Pugs and various German Pinschers were among the breeds used to create the Affenpinscher.
Bred down in size intentionally, the Affenpinscher got smaller, but their tenacity and fearlessness as a ratter remained. This breed was also prized for securityโthe Affenpinscher is a notoriously curious and vigilant dog that tends to consistently alert owners to any visitors or strangers. The Affenpinscher also caught the attention of those in search of a small lapdog. Ratter, alarm-system, and cuddler extraordinaireโthis is a versatile little dog.
By the late 19th century, Affenpinschers had gained popularity as companion dogs. Itโs easy to understand why. With a fun and entertaining temperament combined with such a unique appearance, the Affenpinscher attracts attention. Versatile and useful in the home, they proved a great choice as a family companion who also kept the rat population under control.
Get to Know the Affenpinscher
- Toy-sized, but sturdy and tough
- Intelligent, but a little stubborn
- Fearless and tenacious
- Natural-born entertainers
- Good with other pets when socialized
- Some caution regarding small children
- Daily walks and some fun time will suffice
A Standard Evolvesย
The majority of the Affenpinscherโs earliest development took place in Munich. In 1896, the Affenpinscher was officially recognized by the German Kennel Club, and by 1913, the Affenpinscher breed standard was created. The breed made its way to the States and was accepted into the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1936.
Todayโs Affenpinscher is a toy-sized, wiry-haired dog with a very plucky personality. Despite their small size, this is quite a sturdy dog, not fine-boned or delicate in any way.
The AKC standard looks for an ideal height ranging from 9.5″ to 11.5″ at the withers. The Affenpinscher is somewhat square in shape, with the body length typically matching his height.
And that face! The Standard states that the Affenโs head should be carried confidently with a monkey-like expression, the eyes are round and dark.
The dense, rough coat is about an inch long on the body and shoulders. A longer, softer coat rests on the head, neck, chest, and stomach. The breed is accepted in a variety of colours, including black, gray, silver, red, black and tan, or beige.
Few and Far Betweenย
If youโve never come across an Affenpinscher, youโre not alone. In 2022, the Affenpinscher ranked 148th on the list of 199 breeds registered by the AKC.
In 2013, an Affenpinscher named โBanana Joeโ won the coveted Best in Show title at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show (WKC). His victory brought significant attention, showcasing the Affenโs unique appearance and entertaining personality on a worldwide scale. But while theyโve gained recognition and charmed admirers all over the world, this breed remains quite rare.
Living with the Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscherโs personality is anything but small. Theyโre widely regarded as one of the comedians of the dog-world, entertaining and delighting their people. They are confident, curious, and full of personality. These are wonderful family companions, but as with all breeds, there are a few quirks and considerations.
While the Affenpinscher is a sturdy, tough little dog, theyโre well-known for their dislike of being manhandled, forced up, or otherwise โbothered.โ For this reason, the Affen has earned a perhaps unfair reputation as a dog thatโs not ideal for kids.
In actuality, the Affenpinscher can be a great family pet, but small children need to be supervised around dogs and taught that chasing, squeezing, holding down, or otherwise pestering these (and all) dogs will lead to problems. Some breeds might just roll with itโฆ not the Affenpinscher.
While the Affenpinscher is generally good with other pets, a home where hamsters, bunnies, or other small rodents are pets might not be ideal. Given their history, their instinct will most likely be to dispatch little critters.
With other dogs and cats, theyโre generally comfortableโearly socialization is the key to success. Intelligent and alert, the Affenpinscher is like a four-legged alarm system. Very little will slip past them. Youโll almost certainly be alerted by barking should anyone come to your door.
Fun Facts
+ They are known to walk upright on their back legs
+ Their paw dexterity is quite advanced, so they love to play with and toss around toys.
+ French fanciers refer affectionately to the Affenpinscher as the “Diablotin Moustachu” or “Mustached Little Devil”
Training and Socializing
The Affenpinscher is rather suspicious by nature. This tendency to be aloof or unfriendly can be easily overcome with plenty of early, positive socializing activities. They bond closely with their people and can be territorial.
In true terrier style, the Affenpinscher has earned a reputation as somewhat stubborn and hard to train. Yes, this breed is independent and opinionated, but this is a trainable dog. Affens love to please their people, and theyโre very smartโboth good traits when it comes to training.
Patience, practice, and making it fun will pay off. The well-mannered Affenpinscher is a delight to be around. Theyโre pleasant and respectful but cheeky and full of pep.
When it comes to housetraining, here again, patience is required. Like so many of the Toy breeds, Affens can be a little slow to master the whole potty routine. It takes time and patienceโand crate training is very strongly advised.
Profile: The Affenpinscher
Size: Toy
Affenpinschers stand between 9 and 11.5 inches high and weigh 7 to 10 pounds.
Activity Level: 3/5
Exercise needs are moderate. This plucky pup will be happy with a daily walk or two.
Grooming: 2/5
ย Moderate. Brushing to keep the wiry and softer coats mat-free, plus the occasional trim or stripping is all the affen needs.
Heritage: Developed in Germany to help with rodent control and provide family companionship.
For more information on Affenpinscher rescue in the U.S., visit affenpinscherrescue.org. In Canada, visit affenpinscher.rescueme.org/ca.
Activities for Affenpinschers
Exercise requirements are minimal. A walk each day will keep them content. Affenpinschers love to play and are renowned for their ability to learn tricks, so factor in some โfun timeโ for these little comedians each day.
Outside supervision and, ideally, a fenced-in yard are best. They are territorial and, frankly, seem unaware that theyโre actually a very small dog. Affenpinschers have been known to pick fights with much larger dogs.
For those who like to travel or simply want to take their dog along with them on their daily outings, the Affen is a good choice. This confident little dog is pretty much up for anything and happy to be a part of whatever youโve got in mind.
As for activities, this confident but clown-like dog is a natural for therapy work. Their unique appearance and ability to learn lots of tricks will delight anyone in need of a smile. Sturdy and well-built, theyโre also a fit for sports like agility and obedience.
Caring for Your Affenpinscher
This dapper little dog is not a challenge to care for or groom. The coat is thick and rough to the touch. They donโt shed much, but that wiry coat does need to be brushed regularly with a slicker brush. Occasional stripping and trimming will be required to keep them looking their best.
The Affenpinscher is a rare breedโhard to find and truly unique in appearance. Itโs hardly any wonder that many people simply go bananas when they find themselves in the presence of these mischievous little monkey-dogs. With their expressive faces, their sweet but spunky disposition, and their fearlessness, they really are the complete โbig dogโ package in pint-sized form.
If you like the Affenpinscher, you might also consider the…
Brussels Griffonย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Pugย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย ย Miniature Pinscher
Inset Photos L to R: Okssi/bigstock, LustreArt/bigstock, cynoclub/bigstock
ยป Read Your Breedย For more breed profiles, go to moderndogmagazine.com/breeds
This article originally appeared in the award-winningย Modern Dogย magazine.ย Subscribe today!
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