Mary Allen
By the name “Affenpinscher” it could be assumed that this is a breed from a subtropical region. Wrong thought: The cheerful little dog is from Germany. Originally a widespread working dog that protected the home from rodents, the Affenpinscher is now a purely family dog with an attractive personality. However, he doesn’t make for a cute lap dog. The clot of energy is too active for this and is not suitable for “action”.
History of the Affenpinscher Breed
The ancestors of the small dog were already widespread in southern Germany in the late Middle Ages. They were even portrayed by Albrecht Dürer, making them one of the oldest, unchanging German dog breeds. Initially, they were rough-haired pinschers, which were used to hunt rats, and dogs with a characteristic fringe on the coat became a variety. Affenpinschers have been “officially” in existence since 1896. This is the long-haired version of the Miniature Pinscher; along with the short-haired variant, the previous general classification was divided into two separate dog breeds.
Affenpinscher Temperament
Despite its small stature, the Affenpinscher is a brave and vigilant dog that protects its home and people. He is affectionate and gentle towards you while showing a lively personality with a good dose of cheekiness, but always remaining sweet. Although extremely adaptable, the Affenpinscher develops a strong, distinctive personality with individual characteristics. Therefore, he focuses primarily on the reference person in the pack, whom he chooses himself. Terrier-like in temperament.
Training & Maintenance of the Affenpinscher
The most important thing when keeping an Affenpinscher is to pay a lot of attention to the dog. He needs a lot of strokes and stimulation. If he can play with his human or do dog sports like agility, the fur nose is balanced. When it comes to training, you need empathy and consistency: Affenpinschers know how to wrap their human pack around their paws. They have a good memory, so you should not let them go “immediately.”
Due to its small size, the Affenpinscher is unconditionally suitable for keeping in an apartment, subject to sufficient physical activity and the ability to let off steam. The little one is not a homebody – free access to a safe garden would be ideal. He is well-behaved and easy to care for, even when he visits restaurants or travels. The smart, friendly Affenpinscher is easy to train. Consistent and clear announcements that the animal can orient to are important. However, it is advisable to visit a puppy or dog school. There, the four-legged friend has the opportunity to practice communicating with relatives, and you will surely be able to learn this or that advice from experts. Since grooming is a little more difficult, he should also be taught how to use a comb and brush in a playful way when he is still a puppy.
Affenpinscher Features
Affenpinscher differs from other types of pinschers, on the one hand, with a hard coat, on the other hand, with a short muzzle with a bite and a flattened nose. This distinctive head shape, along with facial hair, gives it a certain visual resemblance to a small monkey. The shape of the head does not cause any special health restrictions, since it is based on a natural mutation and the gene pool of the old breed is very diverse. When buying an Affenpinscher, make sure that the animal belongs to a respected, outbred breed.