Affenpinscher
| Recognized By: |
AKC
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ANKC
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APRI
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CKC
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CKC
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FCI
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KCGB
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NKC
,
NZKC
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| AKA: |
Affen |
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| Mispellings: |
Afenpinscher, Affenpincher, Affenpinscer, Affenpinshcer, Affinpincher |
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Living with a Affenpinscher
Personality: The Affenpinscher has a terrier-like personality.
Temperament: Affens are known for their terrier-like personality. Affenpinschers usually get along with other dogs when raised with them. Affenpinschers are alert, inquisitive and stubborn dogs. They are confident and fearless dogs who can sometimes become mischievous. Affens are very friendly dogs who enjoy being with people.
Family Dog: Affenpinschers make great family pets but are not recommended for families with small children as they may be protective of their food and toys. Affenpinschers usually get along with other dogs as long as they are raised with them.
Shedding: Affenpinschers shed little or no hair.
Grooming: The coat of an Affenpinscher should not be trimmed; instead the coat of an Affenpinscher should be plucked. It is best to have this done by a professional groomer. Clipping an Affenpinscher's coat may ruin it for years. Affenpinschers should be brushed or combed every week.
Training: Affenpinschers need firm and consistent training. It is important to change up the training routine of an Affenpinscher so the do not become bored with it. Affens usually learn commands very quickly but may be difficult to housebreak.
Exercise: Affenpinschers will enjoy hiking, camping and other outdoor activities providing the temperature is above 20 degrees F.
Affenpinscher Appearance
Appearance: Affenpinschers are small, terrier-looking dogs with superb intelligence and demeanor. Affenpinschers have a harsh, shaggy coat with longer hair on their face. Affenpinschers have a square proportioned body, deep chest and a round head with black eyes. Affenpinschers have a short arched neck and straight legs. Their tail is carried high on the body and usually docked. The Affens ears are also docked to a point and stand erect. The Affenpinschers' coat is usually black or a dark shade of gray.
Size: Affenpinschers should be 9 1/2 to 15 inches tall at the withers. A fully grown Affen may weigh between 7 to 8 pounds.
Head: An Affenpinscher's head should always be carried upright with a confident air about it. The size of the Affenpinscher's head should be proportionate to the body. The Affenpinscher is said to have 'monkey-like' facial features.
Nose: The nose of an Affenpinscher should be black and level, not turning upwards or downwards.
Eyes: The eyes of an Affenpinscher should be medium-sized, round in shape and dark in color. The eyes should be proportionate to the head with no signs of protruding. The rims should be black.
Ears: The Affenpinscher's ears should be cropped to a point. The ears should be high on the head and stand straight upward.
Muzzle: The muzzle of an Affenpinscher should be short and taper in toward the nose. The length of an Affenpinscher's muzzle should be equal to the distance between their eyes. The Affenpinscher should have black lips, with the lower lip out slightly farther than the upper lip.
Neck: An Affenpinscher's neck should be straight and not too long.
Body: Affenpinschers have a square body proportion. The body length of an Affenpinscher should be approximately equal to it's height at the withers. Female Affenpinschers may have slightly longer bodies. An Affenpinscher's back should be straight and level.
Forequarters: The length of an Affenpinscher's shoulder blade should be equal to the length of the upper arm. The Affenpinscher's elbows should be close to the body. The front legs should appear straight up and down from any angle. The Affenpinscher's dewclaws are usually removed. The front feet should be small and round in shape with black pads and nails.
Hindquarters: The Affenpinscher's rear legs should appear to be straight up and down from the back. When viewed from the side, the rear legs should appear under the body. The length of an Affenpinschers upper thigh should be equal to the length of the second thigh.
Gait: Affenpinschers have a free and balanced gait that shows off their confidence. When walking the Affenpinscher's legs should move parallel to each other. When trotting, the Affenpinscher's feet will meet in the middle as their speed increases.
Tail: An Affenpinscher's tail may be docked. If docked the tail should be between 1 - 2 inches long. The Affenpinscher's tail should be set high on its body and carried over the back, slightly curved or striaght up if docked.
Color: Affenpinscher's coats can be gray, black, red, silver, black and tan, or belge. Affenpinschers with a black coat might have a slight rusty hue or some lighter white or silver hairs mixed throughout. Red coated Affenpinschers will vary in color from a brownish-red to a tan-orange mixture. Affenpinschers with a Belge coat may have some black, brown, and/or white hairs mixed in.
Coat: An Affenpinscher's coat is made of thick, rough fur. The coat is usually about 1 inch long on the shoulders and body and may be shorter on the rear and tail. Affenpinschers have a slightly curly undercoat. The fur on an Affenpinscher's head, neck, chest, stomach and legs is left longer and has a softer texture. The adult Affenpinscher will have a thick mane of fur that blends into the coat on the body at the shoulders. The Affenpinscher will have longer fur on the head and face. They have prominent eyebrows and beard which add to the Affenpinscher's 'monkey-like' appearance. The hair on the ears should be cut very short.
Affenpinscher Facts
Category: Terrier, AKC Toy
Life Expectancy: Affenpinschers usually live to be between 10 - 12 years of age.
Characteristics: Affenpinschers are known for being bold, inquisitive, stubborn, playful, mischievous, lively, sharp-witted, courageous, confident, fearless, affectionate and amusing dogs.
Affenpinscher Health
Health: There are no major health concerns associated with the Affenpinscher. Some Affenpinschers may be prone to fractures and slipped stifle and occasionally PDA (patent ductus arteriosus) or open fontanel and other respiratory problems associated with any short-nosed breed.
Eye Health: Affenpinschers may have a problem with hair growing into the corners of their eyes which causes irritation. If this happens the hair should be removed promptly.
Affenpinscher History
History: There is not much information about the origin of the Affenpinscher. The Affenpinscher is believed to be related to the Brussels Griffon. The best know country of origin for the Affenpinscher is Germany. Affenpinschers are believed to have been farm dogs and larger in size than they are today. It is believed to have been around the 18th to 19th century when the Affenpinscher was miniaturized and became a house pet like they are today. The Affenpinscher was first recognized by the AKC in 1936.
