Say hello to the Monkey
Terrier
Affenpinscher means
"Monkey Terrier" in German. In France, they are generally nicknamed
"Mustached Devils”. These dogs are considered a great breed for the sport
of Agility. But there’s more to the
Affenpincher (or Affen) than a goofy face and an athletic body.
Temperament and Behavior
Clever and lively like the
monkey he's named after, the Affenpinscher is a happy dog who loves being part
of the family. They are NOT recommended for families with very small children,
as they often act like the rats Affens were bred to hunt. They are always ready
to play, but will learn to settle down, too. They can live happily in an apartment.
Often a quiet dog, Affens
will bark vigorously when defending his family and territory. They make
vigilant and confident watch dogs. They can be aggressive with strange dogs,
prone to biting the "intruder". This can lead to problems of Affens seeing
threats where there aren't any. Since they are terriers, allowing them
unsupervised time with pet rodents or very small children is NOT recommended.
Physical Characteristics
Affens prove that good things
come in small packages. In this case about 9 - 11 inches (24-28 cm) at the
shoulder and weighing about 6-9 pounds (3-4 kg) of a compact doggy box-like
body. In Europe, they are all black, but often misty gray patches occur on the
face and chest. In America, black, silver, black and tan, red and brindle
(sometimes called belge) are allowed.
They are rough haired (yes,
that scruffy look is natural) and easy to groom, if you are persistent and
patient. Their coats will catch bits of the great outdoors, so check them after
every walk before. Hairs often grow into their eyes -- this needs trimming
immediately. His muzzle is short his ears semi-floppy, with a long, curving
moustache, giving him a very monkey-like face. He has a short tail.
Training Tips
Affens are considered one of
the most intelligent and curious of the toy breeds, love to please their human
family members. This makes puppies eager to learn training. Older Affens are probably smarter than most
people, so they need a lot of patience and positive reinforcement.
Early socialization with other
dogs, people, traffic noises and household objects are a MUST to prevent the
Affen thinking his home has been invaded by monsters and thus biting. Many
Affens take longer than other breeds to get the hang of housebreaking. Just
treat him like you would a small child and avoid buying new carpeting until he
gets the idea. Affens often wriggle into their loyal family's hearts with
quirky but mostly harmless antics.
Health
Affens have a great
reputation for being generally healthy dogs through their 10-12 years. Although
their muzzles are short, they generally don't have any breathing difficulties,
unless they are exposed to very hot weather. Some are prone to fractures,
laxating patella (dislocated kneecaps), hip dysplasia (it's not just in large
breeds) and eye problems. Breeders are trying to breed out a congenital heart
disease called PDA (patent ductus arteriosis).
Please protect Affens from
extreme heat or extreme cold. Affens often will eat anything, whether foodstuff
or not, that gets within reach of their mouths, so be on the alert as to what
they're poking their nose into. Childproof locks on cabinets and storing
chemicals on high shelves is strongly recommended to avoid vet trips.
Popularity
Affens are harder to find
than most breeds, but breeders exist in most states and countries. You will
most likely have to be put on a waiting list for a puppy. Breed rescues do
exist in America and Europe. Affens ranked the 139th most popular breed in
America with the American Kennel Club in 2011. There are some 1500 breed
registered Affens in America and England. They are a breed steadily losing
popularity in the United States.
Breed History
Affens are one of the oldest
Toy (Companion in the UK) breeds in the world. Larger, multi-colored ancestors
of today's Affens, called Ratting Terriers, were hunting rats in Germany about
1600. They were eventually bred smaller to kill mice for housewives. It is generally
thought the Ratting Terrier was crossed with Brussels Griffon, Pugs, Schnauzers
and German Silky Pinschers.
At one time in the 1700's,
there were two sizes of Affens, but the breed settled down to the modern Affen
about 1750. They spread around Europe and the United Kennel Club officially
recognized them as a breed in 1957. Affens became a recognized breed in the AKC
in 1936.
References
Thank you so much for sharing such a nice post. Indeed, the Affenpinscher dog is one of the most affectionate and loyal breeds not only to his owner but to everyone he meets.
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