The Affenpinscher is a curious, loyal, and famously amusing dog breed. It looks almost like a human toy dog, but it is fearless out of all proportion. The Affenpinscher’s seriousness of purpose that makes his crazy antics even more amusing.
The Affenpinscher’s appearance is described in many ways so much so that they are sometimes called the “monkey dogs” or even “ape terriers.” The French call them diablotin moustachu, which means mustached little devil, and Star Wars fans say that they look more like Ewoks and Wookies.
Being less than a foot tall, these terrier-like dogs live their life with high confidence. In fact, professional dog handlers often tell affenpinscher owners that they do not need to train them because they are like a human, you need to befriend them. Their harsh and dense coat is often described as neat but shaggy. They can sometimes be willful and domineering, but they are often affectionate, entertaining, and loyal.
Affenpinscher History and Background
The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest toy dog breeds. Its name is pretty much an apt description of its breed because affen, means monkey while pinscher, means terrier. Which is why they are called monkey dogs or ape terriers. The origins of the Affenpinscher is pretty much unclear. But during the 15th century, Dutch painters often sketched dogs that somehow looked like this curious breed. However, there is no solid proof that can tell the breed’s origin.
During the 17th century in central Europe, some small terriers are used to dispatching rats. These terriers were also helpful in keeping kitchens and stables free from rodents in Germany. There were also more minor types of this same dog breed that were held as pest controllers, women’s lapdogs, and comics because they can entertain their owners with their funny antics. As the years passed, it is believed that this small strain was developed as the Affenpinscher, and it was improved by crossing different breeds like the Pug, German Pinscher, and German Silky Pinscher.
There are also several wire-coated toy dog breed such as the Brussels Griffon, which ascended from the Affenpinscher breed. The Affenpinscher is one of the most popular dogs breeds Germany, where it is often claimed to be its native land. The American Kennel Club recognized this breed in 1936. However, the Second World War affected its popularity decline. And today, the Affenpinscher remains rare even in Germany.
Characteristics of the Affenpinscher
Average Height: 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder.
Average Weight: 7 to 9 pounds.
Lifespan: 12 to 14 years.
Group: Toy Group
Hypoallergenic: Yes
The Affenpinscher is a dog breed that is small and compact. It has ears that are usually semi-erect, and its tail is long, and it usually curls on the backend. Most people say that its face resembles the face of a monkey, and it has a beard along with bushy eyebrows. As we mentioned, In France, they called the Affenpinscher breed as the Diablotin Moustachu, which means mustached little devil. Most people agree that its French description perfectly describes the attitude and appearance of the Affenpinscher. The total overall look is often described as neat but shaggy appearance.
Substance Size, Proportion: This dog breed has a small and compact built along with a medium bone size, but is not delicate in any way. Their average height withers is 91⁄2 to 111⁄2 inches. Their withered height is just the same as the length of their body, and it is measured from the point of their shoulder to the end of their buttocks, which is why they have a square-like appearance. On the other hand, the female Affenpinscher may have a slightly longer body built.
Caring for an Affenpinscher
If you are living in an apartment, then the Affenpinscher breed might be the right pet for you. Taking them out for short brisk walks or having them play around in your backyard or park for a suitable length of time is enough to exercise for a moderately active dog. Because the affenpinscher is so small, they should be a full-time housedog, we suggest that you let them out on a fully fenced backyard when you’re going to leave them unsupervised. Affenpinschers are not afraid to confront animals that are much larger than themselves, and an encounter can result in tragedy. Just like any other toy breeds, the Affenpinscher can be a little bit hard to housetrain. This is why you have to be consistent and patient when teaching them how to behave around the house. Crate training is also recommended for this dog breed. The key to successfully training an Affenpinscher is to always keep training fun and exciting.