The Affenpinscher dog is a very striking small breed. It has an ancient history compared to other dog breeds and a very particular and dilapidated appearance which contributed to the popular myth according to which it comes from the monkey. This friendly animal is a faithful companion for people with a moderately active lifestyle.
This breed is highly given to its human family and its size is ideal for small spaces. With an education always reinforced in the positive and the discipline, the dog Affenpinscher is an incomparable companion. Its maintenance level is much lower than it seems and its health and longevity are excellent.
With such a name, it is surely easy for us to imagine that we are dealing with one of the breeds of dogs of German origin. What we may not know is that the Affenpinscher dog is one of the oldest dog breeds in the world, along with others such as the chow chow, the Pekingese or the Siberian husky.
In this ‘ Pets Feed ‘ breed sheet, you will discover the characteristics of the Affenpinscher dog, its care, its origin and much more.
Origin
Affenpinscher is one of the oldest breeds dating from the 17th century. In Germany, the place of origin, the word “affen” means mocking and “pinscher” is equivalent to terrier.
Although the Affenpinscher show all the guts of the burrow, they are too small to be working dogs and are mostly acquired as pets.
Given the age of this breed, the experts encountered various difficulties in determining the exact timing of its origin, as well as the crossings that led to its occurrence. Therefore, everything is based on conjecture, as well as some pictographic evidence. For example, it was established that the breed already existed in the 16th century as copies of Affenpinscher dogs appeared on images dating from that date.
Due to its morphological and genetic characteristics, it has been determined that it is more likely to come down from German burrows, Pinscher or miniature schnauzer, among other options.
Physical characteristics of the Affenpinscher dog
The dog Affenpinscher is a small breed, that is to say that once its development is complete, they should not weigh more than 6 kg. For this breed, the females are smaller and lighter than the males. At first glance, they tend to look a bit scruffy due to the characteristics of their fur.
The transverse height of these dogs is between 24 and 28 cm and does not exceed 30 cm. The weight is between 3 and 6 kg so it is also called Toy or dwarf breed. The round head has a broad forehead where the short, straight muzzle is represented. The ears are V-shaped with high insertion which can fall forward or stand up. The eyes are dark and crowned with fairly bushy eyebrows and the nose is black.
The Affenpinscher dog’s body is compact with a short back and a broad chest, ending in a sickle-shaped tail, the front and rear limbs being straight and muscular, thus giving them a robust appearance which ends in short round legs with short black nails. . The most visible characteristic of the Affenpinscher is its coat and it is made up of dense and hard hairs. Cover the head with bushy eyebrows, beards and even bangs. It is double layer and the inner layer is slightly softer than the outer layer. On the head, the hairs are stiff.
Regarding the color of the cape, the preferred is black. However, shades such as gray, brown, rust black, silver, black and beige (it has symmetrical spots), dark or light brown, red with orange or brown and white shades are also accepted.
Affenpinscher Character
Affenpinscher dogs receive the affectionate nickname of “black devils” because of their agitation and their very attentive and active nature. But that does not make us think at any time that it’s a difficult dog to handle, because it’s just the opposite, it’s one of the most recommended breeds for family life because they are very affectionate and love spending time with His human family.
However, they can be a little naughty, and that implies that they do destruction at home. It will therefore be important to allow them to do daily physical activity, so that they are calmer, as well as to educate them to respect the furniture and play exclusively with the toys we provide them.
Early training of the Affenpinscher puppy is the key to success.
This dog does not hesitate to prevail if it thinks someone is hurting it, because it is very brave and fierce to defend its owners against any threat, despite its small size.
This can make the dog feel somewhat suspicious of strangers, but the Affenpinscher is generally not aggressive if properly educated.
Health of the Affenpinscher
Did you know that an Affenpinscher is one of the 10 best dogs in the world?
Normally, an affenpinscher is a healthy dog, with a life expectancy between 12 and 15 years old, although some exceed it.
Nevertheless, the breed may suffer from certain diseases, such as hip dysplasia, for which detection is essential as soon as possible. Indeed, the more advanced it is, the more difficult it will be to relieve it. They can also present patellar problems, such as dislocation of the patella, which comes out of its hollow, often to be replaced by a professional.
Another pathology that can affect an affenpinscher is that related to the health of the eyes. Sometimes the long hairs falling on the eyes come into contact with the retina and can damage it or cause dirt accumulation.
Exercise
Since the breed is very active, it is essential to practice physical activities so that the Affenpinscher puppy or adult dog is properly stimulated and exercised. To do this, we can take the dog on the field to throw the ball and make him bring it, bring it on a circuit of agility, etc.
20 to 40 minutes a day is the recommended average.
Feeding
Due to the high energy level of the breed and its small size, it is recommended to look for a specific food for small dogs, as their nutritional needs will be covered and they will enjoy the walks and activities necessary for they are healthy and relaxed, taking advantage of every second.
And if you prefer to go for a home-made diet, it is essential to ensure that all these nutritional needs are guaranteed, by providing high quality animal protein and, to a lesser extent, good fruit and vegetables for dogs.
Affenpinscher Grooming
Although the fur of the affenpinscher may seem difficult to treat because of its thickness, hardness and length, it is not at all difficult to keep this coat in good condition, because the standard of the breed establishes that the appearance of an affenpinscher includes having hair a little disheveled.
Therefore, it will be enough to do a weekly brushing so that our affenpinscher is treated.
In addition, we will eliminate dust and dirt that may have accumulated in this dense mantle. In this way, we can also detect possible parasites attached in the form of chips or ticks.
Affenpinscher Dog Breed Highlights
Positive points
- The Affenpinscher is faithful, loving and intelligent.
- It is quick to learn new things and in good hands, easy to train.
- It is a very adaptable dog being just as happy in an apartment as in a house.
- An Affenpinscher does not lose too much hair.
- It requires little maintenance on the grooming front.
- This breed does not need to do a lot of daily physical exercise.
- It makes a wonderful companion for the elderly.
- Affenpinscher is a good choice for first time dog owners.
Negative points
- Affenpinscher dogs thrive on human companionship and suffer from separation anxiety if they are left to fend for themselves.
- This breed can suffer from the “little dog” syndrome if it is too spoiled.
- Affenpinscher dogs have a strong prey and will gladly hunt anything that tries to flee.
- They are known to love the sound of their own voices too much.
- These dogs are best suited for families with older children.
Originally published at https://petsfeed.co on May 4, 2020.
