Description

The Affen is a small, compact terrier-type dog with bushy eyebrows and a mischievous monkey like expression. The coat is rough and of uneven length over the body adding to their somewhat comical appearance. They have a lively, strutting movement.

Color

The Affenpinscher is commonly black and may have some gray coloration around the face and chest. Silver, black and tan, and red colorations also appear.

Category Size

Small

Coat Length

Short/Medium

Weight/Height Range

The Affenpinscher male or female, should measure between 9.5 and 11 inches at the withers and weigh between 6.5 and 9 lbs.

HEIGHT	MIN	MAX	WEIGHT	MIN	MAX
Female	9.5"	11"	Female	6.5 lbs.	9 lbs.
Male	9.5"	11"	Male	6.5 lbs.	9 lbs.

Ailments

The Affenpinscher has a few breed specific disorders but buying a puppy from healthy stock will reduce the possibility of it having inherited problems. They are active, bold dogs but due to their small size, broken bones are a potential problem. Supervised exercise and a safe environment will help prevent this problem occurring.

Suitable Breed for Allergy Sufferers

Yes

Common Ailments

Bones (Acquired) - Fracture, Bones (Developmental) - Legg Perthes disease, Bones (Developmental) - Patellar luxation, Brain (Congenital) - Hydrocephalus (water on the brain), Eye - Conjunctivitis - Foreign body, Eye - Corneal wound/trauma

Personality

These dogs are small with several terrier characteristics. They are lively and self-confident and carry themselves with comic seriousness. Although very affectionate with their owners, they are quick-tempered, fiery and fearless. They tend to dislike strangers and show it, careful socializing as a puppy will help reduce this aggressiveness. They also have a loud yap and make good alarm dogs giving warning of any approach. Again careful training as a pup is needed to prevent this becoming a nuisance. They need gentle handling and are not suited to living with small children.

Intelligence

Affens are intelligent dogs that 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.

Energy

Low

Tendency To Bark

High

Overall Exercise Requirement

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 that exercise their considerable intelligence but these should not be too rough or boisterous.

Suitability for Personal Protection

Low

Suitability as a Guard Dog

Low

Suitability for Children

Medium

Ease of Transportation

High

Level of Distress caused if left alone

Medium

Level of aggression

Medium

Other animal compatibility

Medium

Breeding & ownership

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.

Food Cost

Affordable

Average Puppy Price

Moderate

Other Expenses

Feeding costs for the Affenpinscher are low. Veterinary costs can be high because of potential bone and eye problems.

Grooming & showing

The coat of the Affenpinscher naturally looks rather untidy so grooming is undemanding. Brushing will remove debris and dead hairs from the coat. The dog should be accustomed to being groomed from an early age. Eyes and ears should be checked regularly and teeth cleaning should be practiced from an early age.

Grooming requirements

Once a week

Trimming required

Tendency to shed hair

Little

Show characteristics

The Affenpinscher should have a head that is fairly small in proportion to the body with a domed forehead, broad brow and marked stop. The jaw is slightly undershot, the teeth or tongue should not show when the mouth is closed. The eyes should be round, black and sparkling, and the ears small, set high and upright although a neat drop-ear is allowed. The neck should be short and straight and the body should be the same giving a sturdy appearance. The forelegs are straight and hind legs well set under the body. The feet should be small, round and compact. The tail should be set high and curve gently over the back when moving. The coat is rough and harsh in texture, short and dense on some parts of the body, shaggy on others. It should be longer on the shoulders, neck and head. Black is the preferred color with some gray shading allowed.

Breed classification

The Affenpinscher was originally used to hunt vermin. Today they are companions.

Origin

The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest breeds, known to have been in existence in the 17th century and similar dogs appear in paintings of the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries. In Germany, where it originated, the word 'affen' means to mock and 'pinscher' means terrier. The Affen was the first of the monkey-faced dogs and he is the ancestor of two other breeds, the Griffon Belge and the Griffon Bruxellosis, who also have the monkey face. Affen blood was also involved in the development of the Miniature Schnauzer. The Affenpischer is believed to have once existed in two sizes, the smaller survives today as the toy terrier but the larger one has become extinct. Although Affens show all the spunk of terriers, they are too small to be working dogs and are kept chiefly as companions.

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