Quick Take
- Banana Joe secured Westminster Best in Show, a record achievement for the Affenpinscher breed.
- Corneal dystrophy produces crystals that create a specific vision problem for the Affenpinscher.
- Paradoxically, 10-pound dogs use fearless behavior to intimidate large breeds.
- Affenpinscher breeding in the 1600s was a necessary process for managing vermin control.
An Affenpinscher is a fearless dog brimming with confidence. This may seem funny, seeing that it’s a member of the Toy group and only weighs around 10 pounds fully grown. But, in its mind, this dog is a Great Dane!
The history of the Affenpinscher, sometimes called a monkey terrier due to its appearance, goes back to the 17th century. In Germany, they were used to hunt down rats and mice in stables. They could easily get into small spaces to capture these rodents. Eventually, they were brought into people’s homes to serve the same purpose. From there, they became loyal companions for members of the family.
This breed is affectionate and good with older kids and adults. They are serious about protecting their family, but are also known to clown around, giving everyone a laugh.
3 Pros and Cons of Owning an Affenpinscher
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Needs minimal exercise. This small pooch only requires 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day. | Sometimes this breed can be difficult to housebreak due to its independent nature. |
| Families who want an alert canine that barks when a stranger comes to the door will be pleased with an Affenpinscher. | Though considered hypoallergenic, it’s best to groom this pooch twice a week. This can be time-consuming for an owner. |
| This breed doesn’t need much space, so it’s a good option for a family that lives in an apartment. | Affenpinschers were bred to chase down rats and mice. Unfortunately, they aren’t able to distinguish between a pet hamster or gerbil and a field mouse they are supposed to capture. |
Affenpinschers are friendly dogs, but they can be yappy.
©f8grapher/Shutterstock.com
Evolution and Origins
Affenpinschers were first bred in the 1600s in Germany to get rid of vermin such as mice and rats, some of which were bold enough to scuttle up homeowners’ legs. However, their friendly, devoted nature soon saw them become beloved domestic companions, in addition to being natural forms of pest control.
Their name comes from the German word “affen” which means monkey or ape, and fully translates to “monkey dog”. In France, however, they are called “mustached little devils” (diablotin moustachu).
Size and Weight
Affenpinschers are small pooches that can grow to be 11.5 inches at the withers. They weigh 10 pounds fully grown. At 7 weeks old, Affenpinschers weigh around 2 pounds. They are considered fully grown at one year old.
Common Health Issues
Affenpinschers have some common health issues that their owner should be aware of. The first one is called patellar luxation. This is a medical term for a dislocated knee. Knee dislocation happens when the pup’s kneecap moves out of place as it’s running or trotting along. Sometimes an Affenpinscher is able to pop it back into place with a certain movement. In other situations, surgery may be needed.
Another common health issue is called corneal dystrophy. It’s a genetic condition that occurs when crystals form on the dog’s cornea. These crystals can affect the Affenpinscher’s vision, and sometimes surgery is necessary.
Hip dysplasia is another common health issue of this breed. This condition occurs when the hip joint moves out of alignment. Hip dysplasia can lead to arthritis in later years. Limping and limited movement are signs of this condition.
Temperament
Affenpinschers are small dogs known for their fearless behavior. They sometimes bark at and try to intimidate big dogs while forgetting about their size disadvantage!
This courageous quality makes them great watchdogs for a household. In addition, they have a loyal, affectionate personality. These traits have earned them a good reputation as a family dog.
Many owners of Affenpinschers are entertained by the antics of this pet. They have a silly streak meaning they like to frolic, jump around, throw toys in the air, and act goofy. This is one of their most endearing traits.
How to Take Care of an Affenpinscher
Giving the best level of care to an Affenpinscher is easier when an owner knows the unique diet, exercise and healthcare needs of this breed. Whether someone has a puppy or an adult Affenpinscher, making a daily care plan can help to keep this pet healthy and happy.
The Best Dog Food
Affenpinscher puppies and adult dogs have different dietary, exercise and healthcare needs. Look at some of the required nutrients in their daily diets.
Affenpinscher puppy food: Protein is the main ingredient in any high-quality puppy food for Affenpinschers. The amino acids in protein build strong muscles and tissue. Protein may help to prevent the development of hip dysplasia.
A limited amount of fat gives a puppy energy and helps them absorb the vitamins in their food. Calcium and vitamin D support the growth of strong bones, which is especially valuable to this breed due to its potential to develop patellar luxation. Vitamin A contributes to this puppy’s eye health. Fiber helps with its proper digestion.
Affenpinscher adult dog food: Protein is just as important for adults as it is for puppies. Protein maintains strong muscles and tissue.
Vitamin E contributes to skin health, and Vitamin A supports a dog’s eye health. This is important in preventing corneal dystrophy in this breed. A limited amount of fat provides energy to this little dog while not adding unnecessary weight.
Giving Affenpinscher puppies and adults access to water at all times keeps them hydrated and helps digestion.
Maintenance and Grooming
How much does an Affenpinscher shed? Though this canine is considered to be hypoallergenic, it does shed a little more than average with the change of seasons. Grooming twice a week keeps its medium-long, wire-haired coat in good condition.
A simple grooming routine would include brushing the dog with a slicker brush. This removes loose and dead hair. Next, groom with a metal comb featuring both fine and medium teeth, so it reaches into the dog’s coat. Using these two grooming tools on an Affenpinscher’s hair keeps the tangles away and maintains a healthy coat. It’s best to start at the pup’s head and brush toward its tail.
Training
Affenpinschers are relatively easy to train. An owner should keep in mind that these dogs do best with short obedience training sessions. When a training session is short, an Affenpinscher has less opportunity to become bored and distracted.
Words of praise and favored treats are very helpful tools when putting this pup through obedience training. It’s a good idea to save a certain kind of favored treat to use only during obedience training sessions. That way, the Affenpinscher knows it’s training time when the treats are given.
Exercise
These cute canines need a moderate amount of exercise each day to maintain good health. This means about 20 to 30 minutes of activity. Taking a walk around the neighborhood, walking in the woods, or playing fetch are all good options. These little canines have a short stride, so taking them on a long jog is not a good idea. The dog will be exhausted!
As far as apartment living goes, an Affenpinscher is an excellent option. This pet doesn’t need a lot of space to move around in, so an apartment would be a good living environment. This breed is ideal for people who like to take their pooch along everywhere they go. Learn more about the best dogs for apartment living here.
Puppies
Since this is a Toy breed, Affenpinscher puppies are especially small. So, owners of these puppies must take extra care to keep them safe while allowing them to explore their environment.
Affenpinschers make great family pets. They are good with kids and are quite playful.
©Didkovska Ilona/Shutterstock.com
Children
Affenpinschers are a good option for families with older children. Some younger children and toddlers have a tendency to treat small dogs as toys. An Affenpinscher that’s treated in a rough way by a young child can become nervous and jumpy. Though the child may not mean any harm, an Affenpinscher can become frightened for its own safety and lash out.
Dogs Similar to Affenpinschers
Dogs similar to the Affenpinscher include the Cairn terrier, Norfolk terrier, and the Border terrier.
- Cairn terrier: Cairn terriers and Affenpinschers are about the same height, but Cairn terriers weigh a little more. They are both alert, energetic dogs that are considered hypoallergenic.
- Norfolk terrier: Norfolk terriers have a temperament both feisty and sweet, like Affenpinschers. They are approximately the same size, but Norfolk terriers are in the Terrier group, not the toy group.
- Border terrier: Border terriers are taller and heavier than Affenpinschers. Both Affenpinschers and Border terriers are intelligent and energetic with a loyal temperament.
Famous Affenpinschers
One of the most famous Affenpinschers goes by the name of Banana Joe. At 5 years old, Banana Joe was the first Affenpinscher to win Best in Show at the Westminster Dog Show in 2013.
Affenpinscher Pictures
View all of our Affenpinscher pictures in the gallery.
Didkovska Ilona/Shutterstock.com
Sources
- akc.org / Accessed October 20, 2019
- yourpurebredpuppy.com / Accessed October 20, 2019
