By
Debbie Moore and Shawna L.
Krautheim
Copyright©2007 Dog and Puppy
Central
All rights reserved
Laughter - and dog ownership - are
reported to have many health benefits! With an
Affenpinscher puppy,
you and your family will have a lot of fun staying healthy as his
cute doggie antics keep you rolling on the floor!
The Affenpinscher, otherwise known as the
Monkey Terrier (’affe‘ means ape, or
monkey, in German), is considered to be an ancient breed of dog, though
his exact origins remain unknown and unrecorded. First note of these
unique little dogs was made in Germany, as far back as the seventeenth
century and they are speculated to be the founding breed, from which
stemmed more popular breeds, such as the
Brussels Griffon and, quite
possibly, the Miniature Schnauzer,
as well. Equally confusing is this rugged little canine’s
classifications; the American Kennel Club (AKC) labels the Affenpinscher
as a toy breed where, in other places,
he is renowned as a terrier. Indeed,
his most well-known job title was that of a stable rat catcher.
Size:
Standing an ideal 10 inches high at the shoulder, and weighing no more
than 7-8 pounds, the Affenpinscher is a devoted and loyal pet, often
choosing a single person to bond with. Despite his small stature,
however, the Affenpinscher proudly displays his terrier blood with a
bullheaded personality, common tendencies to become hyper-excited, and
his refusal to back down from any aggressor, regardless of the size
difference. If for no other reason alone, the Affenpinscher should
always be kept on a leash when outside, and should never be left
unattended, or he risks taking on the world… and getting into a world of
trouble.
Coat: This bristly little imp has a harsh and wiry coat that is shorter
on his body, but grows longer towards the head and legs. A pronounced
mustache and beard give this comical little terrier a monkey-faced
expression, hence his nickname and, while he is a very intelligent
little animal, don’t ever think that the Affenpinscher will be a piece
of cake to train. Above and beyond all else, the Affenpinscher has mind
all his own and, quite often, will bend his owners to his own whims.
Color: The most common color of the Affenpinscher is black, though it is
not uncommon to find blacks with tan markings, or a mixture of red or
gray in the coat. Their fur takes a moderate degree of work to upkeep,
the main focus of attention being about the beard and eyes. The
Affenpinscher should not be bathed too frequently, either, as frequent
bathing can destroy the wirehaired quality of the dog’s coat, causing it
to lose that crisp texture.
A very good watchdog, despite his tiny size, this courageous little
canine makes a wonderful companion dog, especially for those who have
limited physical activity.
Unfortunately,
like most breeds, this little dog does have a few health concerns that
should be known by any potential pet owner; first and foremost, the
Affenpinscher’s ferocious little nature can lead him to scrap with other
dogs, resulting in cuts and broken bones, if his owner is not diligent.
Additionally, the Affenpinscher can also suffer from a subluxated
patella, or slipped stifle, which can cause him to have a hitch or
pronounced limp in his movement. To prevent this, it’s wise to teach
your terrier not to jump up, whether it is on people or furniture, and
should he be allowed on the furniture at all, rugs should be placed on
the floors by the foot of chairs and sofas, to reduce risk of his
slipping and falling, should he get excited and attempt to jump down.
The
Affenpinscher has very large, prominent eyes that are prone to both
scratches and ulcers. Additionally, they can suffer fungal infections in
the wrinkle between the eyes and nose, so it is always good to pay close
attention and make regular checks of your Affenpinscher’s eyes.
Unfortunately, the Affenpinscher is not the dog breed
for everyone. The high cost of obtaining a healthy, well socialized
Affenpinscher puppy from a responsible Affenpinscher breeder is a large
obstacle for most families searching for a canine companion. This unique
little breed of dog is quite rare and it can often be difficult (and
costly) to find a puppy of your choosing, but should you take on the
search, you’re bound to find one of these adorable little independents
the perfect dog for you.
Common Misspellings for Affenpinscher:
Affenpincher,
Affinpinscher,
Affinpincher,
Athenpincher,
Athenpinscher,
Affanpincher,
Affanpinscher
