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Small and mischievous with a monkey-like expression, the Affenpinscher is a lively toy breed with a short muzzle, round, dark and sparkling eyes and a rough coat. Despite their small size this compact little dog is not at all delicate and is described in the breed standard as having self confidence and carrying itself with a comic seriousness.
The Affenpinscher dog breed is classed as brachycephalic; problems associated with the condition include;
- Brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome: a condition in brachycephalic breeds (those with a short nose and squashed face) where breathing is obstructed and can lead to reduced ability to exercise, or even severe respiratory distress.
- Skin inflammation/infection: brachycephalic breeds have a short nose and a normal amount of facial tissue. This means there is often excess skin around their face which leads to skin folds. The skin inside these folds can become sore and infections are prone to develop.
- Eye ulcers: ulcers are painful erosions on the surface of the eye. They are more common in brachycephalic breeds due to their conformation, as their eyes tend to be more bulbous.
The breed can also sometimes suffer from:
- Patellar luxation
- Legg-Perthes disease
- Hip dysplasia
- Tracheal collapse¹
- Syringomyelia² which is a condition where fluid-filled areas develop around the spinal cord causing pain.
Priority Kennel Club health schemes and testing:
None but there are several recommended schemes that the Kennel Club recommends which can be found here.
¹A. Hopkins et al, 'Brachycephalic Breeds and Anesthesia', 2001, Breed Predispositions to Dental and Oral Disease in Dogs
² S. Sanchis‐Mora et al, 'Dogs attending primary‐care practice in England with clinical signs suggestive of Chiari‐like malformation/syringomyelia', 2016, Vet Record
Lively, self-confident, strong willed and fearless, yet charming and comical, it is easy to see why instead of vanishing into the melting pot of working breeds, the Affenpinscher was promoted to cherished pet! Their sparkling eyes and monkey-whiskered face are irresistible and they are very affectionate with their owners, though often a little wary of strangers.
Despite their diminutive stature, the Affenpinscher still believes he is a working terrier at times, so does require some training!
| Family-friendly: | 5/5 |
| Exercise needs: | 3/5 |
| Easy to train: | 2/5 |
| Tolerates being alone: | 1/5 |
| Likes other pets: | 4/5 |
| Energy level: | 4/5 |
| Grooming needs: | 2/5 |
| Shedding: | 1/5 |
The Affenpinscher started out as a ratting, vermin-control dog dating back to the 17th century. Their appealing round eyes, rough coat and monkey-like expression and endearing personality quickly earned them something of an upgrade from working dog to companion breed, which in turn led to their refinement, introduction to the show ring and their survival today.
While the origins of the breed are not certain, it has been suggested that they sprung from crossing German Pinschers with imported flat-faced oriental breeds. When the breed nearly died out are the second world war, the remaining few dogs were crossed with the Griffon Bruxellois to re-establish the breed and give us the appealing and enchanting breed we know today.
The Affenpinscher will suit someone who is at home most of the day, who enjoys gentle walks and is either child-free or has older children. They’ll need to enjoy training and have a strong sense of humour and a good degree of patience. The Affenpinscher is a companion breed with the spark and spice of the terrier types!
Around half an hour of dog exercise will be ample, but the Affenpinscher is an active dog. If fit and healthy, will take long walks and runs, but is small enough to be carried easily if an outing proves too much. Easily entertained at home or within a small garden should the need arise, it is important to keep the Affens brain well exercised with training, puzzles and games.
Due to their tiny size the Affenpinscher can live in any size of home. A secure garden is vital as this little breed can fit through the smallest of gaps or determinedly dig under to get to wherever they want to be. As long they are well socialised and taught to ignore noise, the Affenpinscher can live in town, city or countryside.
Toy dogs such as the Affenpinscher have a fast metabolism, meaning they burn energy at a high rate, although their small stomachs mean that they must eat little and often. Small-breed foods are specifically designed with appropriate levels of key nutrients and smaller kibble sizes to suit smaller mouths. This also encourages chewing and improves digestion. Discover more about how to offer your dog a balanced diet with our easy-to-follow guide.
The rough, harsh coat of the Affenpinscher is shaggy in places and naturally looks rather untidy, so dog grooming is undemanding: a weekly brush through will suffice. Daily attention should be paid to ears, eyes and the fur around the mouth as these will gather food quite easily. Check paws after each walk to ensure there is no debris, matting or foreign bodies between the pads.
The Affenpinscher is clever and will enjoy dog training – and a chance to work with their owner. They are fun and easy to train and this is a breed who can easily turn their paw to trick training, mini agility and can generally have a go at most doggy sports and activities.
Suitable for older children and teenagers, the Affenpinscher is a little too small and easily underfoot to be safe around very young children. Excellent for the quiet family, child-free homes, but caution is required around cats as the Affen does love a chase and a slap from a claw-filled paw is a high risk to those large eyes!
While many dogs are traditionally thought of as being good with children, all dogs and children need to be taught to get on with each other and be safe together. Even so, dogs and young children should never be left alone together and adults should supervise all interactions between them.
