Affenpinscher

Temperament:

Fearless, Vigilant, Tenacious
Size: Small
Height: 25-30 cm
Weight: 4-6 kg
Lifespan: 12-15 years
Coat: Medium Hair
Colors: Black, Gray, Belge, Tan, Red
FCI Group: Pinscher and Schnauzer - Molossoid and Swiss Mountain and Cattledogs

Alfred Brehm wrote about him: "The dog must be considered one of the best. It is a lively and entertaining animal, devoted to man in the highest degree, cajoling and caressing its friends and very well-behaved in fighting with other dogs." The Affenpinscher.

Affenpinscher
Artboard 26

Characteristics

The Affenpinscher belongs to Group 2, Section 1 of the FCI standard. This includes Pinschers and Schnauzers. It is a small dog. It reaches a shoulder height of 25 to 30 cm, a weight of 4 to 6 kg and can live to be 12 to 15 years old.

The Affenpinscher has a rough, black coat with a black undercoat. This breed sheds relatively little hair. The coat is stringy and dense. The individual hairs are hard. The hair on the head stands out radially around the face. Bushy eyebrows of spiky hair grow around the eyes. It has a pronounced beard. This gives it its characteristic face.

The muzzle is short. The upper jaw is also short. As a result, the Affenpinscher has a forward bite. This means that the lower incisors are in front of the upper incisors. However, the teeth should not be visible when the muzzle is closed. It does not have breathing problems like the pug.

The bridge of the nose is straight. The ears are set high. He carries them turned forward. His whole face appears flat due to the short muzzle and the forward bite. The eyes are round and large.

The Affenpinscher is small and compact. Height and length are approximately the same. This means that it has a square build. The profile is straight and slightly sloping towards the rear.

The tail is curved like a sabre or sickle. The legs are strong and well muscled.

The character of the Affenpinscher is contradictory. On the one hand, it is playful and adaptable. That's why it gets on well with children and other pets. On the other hand, it is fearless and a good external guardian. He vigorously defends his family and their possessions.

The monkey looks for its main caregiver. It would do anything for them. It is very intelligent and gets bored quickly. It needs constant variety. As it is also very persistent, it also needs a lot of exercise.

He can be very quick-tempered or stubborn and is definitely a little personality.

Coat care:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Shedding:

Little
Medium
Intensive

Energy level:

Little
Medium
High

Trainability:

Little
Medium
Good

Children suitable:

Less
With supervision
Perfect

The right food

Feeding your Affenpinscher is unproblematic. These small dogs usually have no allergies or intolerances. When feeding them, you should choose high-quality wet or dry food. With dry food, the size of the kibble should be adapted to the mouth.

You can also prepare the food yourself. In this case, it is advisable to consult a nutritionist to ensure that your beloved four-legged friend receives a balanced diet.

Especially with dry food, make sure that your Affenpinscher always has enough fresh water available!

You are also welcome to give your Affenpinscher healthy treats. Treats are a good support, especially during training. However, you should then subtract the amount from the food.

The amount of food depends on age, weight and activity. Some dogs tend to be overweight. Therefore, pay attention to the calorie intake.

To keep their teeth clean, you can regularly treat your dog to chews. There is a large selection on the market. The chews should also be adapted to the snout of your Affenpinscher. By the way, chews are also a good activity for bored dogs.

It is best to give your Affenpinscher a break before and after eating.

Health & Care

Your Affenpinscher is a robust little dog. Nevertheless, it needs some care.

The shaggy coat in particular needs to be brushed two to three times a week and combed with a metal comb. It is best to get your Affenpinscher used to this as a puppy.

You should trim the coat twice a year. The hair around the eyes should also be trimmed regularly to keep the eyes clear.

The Affenpinscher has a lot of energy. It also gets bored quickly. That's why it needs lots of exercise and activity. He is very adaptable as far as the type of activity is concerned. You can take him hiking, do agility or simply join a lively dog group.

The Affenpinscher is easy to train. It is intelligent, willing and learns quickly. On the other hand, he notices every inconsistency and weakness and exploits them. He does not like boredom and monotony. Consistency in training and commands is therefore essential.

The Affenpinscher is very friendly, but rather suspicious of strangers. It can become somewhat megalomaniacal towards other dogs. Good training is therefore particularly important.

Suitable accessories

Your Affenpinscher is not very demanding. You will need a lead, a collar or harness, a food and water bowl and a dog bed or dog basket. A transport box is also recommended for the small dog.

You should buy a brush, a metal comb and possibly tick tweezers for his coat. Toys that stimulate his intellect will make him happy. There is a large selection in the shops.

Affenpinscher history picture

Origin & History

The Affenpinscher is said to have originated in southern Germany. In any case, it has a long history. Pinschers and Schnauzers used to run with the carters. As a result, they have an indestructible constitution. They guarded the goods at night. They are therefore good guard dogs.

Dogs that resemble today's Affenpinscher have been around for a very long time. There is a painting by Jan van Eyck entitled 'The Marriage of the Arnolfini'. It dates from 1434 and shows a dog that looks like an affenpinscher. There are also pictures of monkey pinschers by Albrecht Dürer.

For a long time, dogs like the Affenpinscher were bred as 'rattlers'. Their main purpose was to hunt mice and rats. They were not dogs for the nobility. They lived with the common people. This is why they have retained their hunting instinct and their resilient health.

The first mention of a monkey pinscher dates back to 1879. Around 1900, monkey pinschers became fashionable. They came in many colors. White markings were also permitted.

Today, only a pure black coat with a black undercoat is permitted.

Today, the German Pinscher Schnauzer Club 1895 is responsible for the Affenpinscher and its breeding. It sets the breed standards worldwide.

The Affenpinscher is a very rare breed. There are 20 to 30 puppies in Germany every year.