Affenpinscher

also known as Affie, Monkey Dog, African Terrier, Affen, Monkey Terrier

Pros History


The Affenpinscher, also known as the "Monkey Dog," is a small, scrappy breed with a long and colorful history. The breed originated in Germany, where it was used as a ratter and a watch dog in homes and stables. They were also known for their ability to hunt small game like rodents and birds.

The breed was first officially recognized by the German Kennel Club in 1879, and later by the American Kennel Club (AKC) in 1936. The Affenpinscher Club of America was established in 1950, and the breed has been a popular companion and show dog ever since.

The breed's name, "Affenpinscher," literally translates to "monkey terrier" in German, likely due to the breed's monkey-like facial features and tenacious, terrier-like behavior.

The Affenpinscher was created by breeding small, terrier-like dogs with other small breeds such as the Poodle and the Belgian Griffon. The breed has been developed to become a small, sturdy and agile dog, a versatile and useful breed for different purposes.

Breed Information


Type

Is Affenpinscher a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Affenpinschers originally used for?

Hunting Rodents, Companion Dog

Lifespan

How Long Do Affenpinschers Live? What is average life expectancy for an Affenpinscher? How long can Affenpinschers live?

12-14 years

The average Affenpinscher lifespan is somewhere between 12-14 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Affenpinscher Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Affenpinscher?

What is the average height of an Affenpinscher? How big is an Purebred Affenpinscher height? Affenpinscher dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 9-11 inches (22.9 - 27.9 cm) 7.5 inches (19.1 cm) 8.5 inches (21.6 cm) 10.0 inches (25.4 cm)
Female 9-11 inches (22.9 - 27.9 cm) 8.0 inches (20.3 cm) 9.0 inches (22.9 cm) 10.5 inches (26.7 cm)
What is the average weight of an Affenpinscher? How much should Affenpinschers weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 7-10 pounds (3 - 5 kg) 4.0 pounds (2 kg) 6.0 pounds (3 kg) 8.0 pounds (4 kg)
Female 7-10 pounds (3 - 5 kg) 4.0 pounds (2 kg) 6.0 pounds (3 kg) 8.0 pounds (4 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Affenpinschers get fat easily?

The Affenpinscher is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Affenpinschers Hypoallergenic?

Yes

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Affenpinschers are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Temperament

What is an Affenpinscher personality? What are Affenpinscher dogs best known for?

Active
Curious
Playful
Adventurous
Funny
Loving
Stubborn

Shedding Level

Are Affenpinschers heavy shedders? How Much Does an Affenpinscher Shed?

Affenpinscher will shed a negligible amount of hair. Some owners say that they do not shed, but that is not true. But the amount of shedding can be rather light than other dog breeds. If you do not want to deal with the hairs flying around in your home, then this breed is a perfect choice for you.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of an Affenpinscher dog?

The Affenpinscher dog is one of the best choice if you want a good watchdog. This breed will keep watch over you and your family at all times. This breed takes this task seriously and will typically perform its guarding duty with little to no training. This dog will require obedience training, or you can consider guard dog training to sharpen its skills.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Affenpinschers come from?

Germany

Ancestry

What are Affenpinschers descended from?

Brussels Griffon, Miniature Schnauzer

Breed recognition

What organizations or kennel clubs recognize/register the Affenpinscher breed?

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Canadian Kennel Club
Dog Registry of America Inc.
Federation Cynologique Internationale
Kennel Club of Great Britain
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.

Date of Birth

When were Affenpinschers first bred? How old is the Affenpinscher breed?

1600s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is an Affenpinscher?

Toy (AKC:1936)
Companion Dog (UKC)

Affenpinscher Appearance


Eye Color Possibilites

What color are Affenpinscher eyes?

Brown

Nose Color Possibilites

What color can Affenpinscher nose be naturally?

Black

Coat Color Possibilites

What color can Affenpinscher coat be naturally?

Black
Brown
Red
Fawn
Silver
Brindle

Coat Length

How long is an Affenpinschers coat?

The coat of an Affenpinscher dog ranges in length from short to medium.

Coat Density

How Dense Is The Affenpinscher Coat?

Coat Texture

What is the texture of the hair of an Affenpinscher?

Straight

Litter Size

How many puppies can an Affenpinscher have in a litter? How many puppies can an Affenpinscher have in her first litter?

12-14 puppies per pregnancy

An Affenpinscher can have a litter of 12-14 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Affenpinschers are known for their adaptability and versatility, they are capable of adapting well to a wide range of lifestyle changes and living environments. They are a highly adaptable breed, and make great companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Affenpinscher Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Affenpinschers have a lot of health problems?

The Affenpinscher is generally considered to be healthy. However, like all breeds, they are susceptible to certain health issues and it is important to keep an eye out for them and address them with your veterinarian as needed.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning an Affenpinscher?

Patellar Luxation
Hip Dysplasia
Lick Granuloma

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Affenpinschers?

Cataracts
Tracheal Collapse
Heart Problems

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Affenpinscher breed?

Knee
Hip X-Rays
Eyes
Skeletal

Affenpinscher Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Affenpinschers have a lot of energy?

Affenpinschers are known for their high energy levels, so if you're looking for a more low-key dog, this breed may not be the best choice.

Social Needs

Do Affenpinschers need socialization? How social are Affenpinschers?

Affenpinscher have very high social needs. These needs include regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship. They thrive in environments where they have a lot of interaction with humans and other dogs.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Affenpinschers get?

The Affenpinscher dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should an Affenpinscher have? Do Affenpinschers sleep a lot?

Affenpinschers dogs are tend to sleep less than other breeds, but they still require adequate sleep to maintain good health.

Drooling Tendency

Does an Affenpinscher drool a lot?

The Affenpinscher is a breed of dog that is characterized by its minimal drooling, making it an ideal choice for people who dislike drool marks on their clothing.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Affenpinscher dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Affenpinschers exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

These dogs are known for being extremely protective and make excellent guard dogs. They possess a strong instinct to defend their territory and owners and have a high level of vigilance and alertness.

Mouthiness

Are Affenpinschers mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of an Affenpinscher running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Affenpinscher dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Affenpinschers enjoy doing? How do I keep my Affenpinscher busy?

Walk, Play, Chase, Catch treats, Dog Parks, Scenting, Marking

Activity Level

What is the energy level of an Affenpinscher? How much energy does an Affenpinscher have?

Medium

Affenpinschers are medium-energy dogs and typically enjoy socializing and playing casual or even sustained games of chase with other dogs. They may also have occasional periods of barking or racing around the house.

Tolerance of being left alone

Walks per Week

How far should an Affenpinscher walk each week? How many miles should an Affenpinscher walk every week?

6 miles / week

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Affenpinscher, it's at least 6 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

Activity per Day

How much an Affenpinscher should exercise a day? How much activity does an Affenpinscher need?

30 minutes

In general most Affenpinschers usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for an Affenpinscher?

This breed is known for having high grooming needs.

Brushing Frequency

How often should you brush an Affenpinscher?

Weekly

Affenpinscher should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Brushing Tools

What are the most commonly used brushing tools for Affenpinschers?

Pin Brush
Comb
Deshedder
Nail Clipper

Costs


Cups

How many cups of food does an Affenpinscher eat?

1 cups

For an average 7-10 pound (3 - 5 kg) Affenpinscher feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

Daily Cost

How Much Does an Affenpinscher Cost Daily?

$1.10 - $1.40 / day

The average cost of an Affenpinscher is somewhere $1.10 - $1.40 per day.

Monthly Cost

How Much Does an Affenpinscher Cost Per Month?

$35 - $42 / month

The average per month expenses of an Affenpinscher is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Affenpinscher Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is an Affenpinscher?

The Affenpinscher breed is considered very intelligent and easy to train.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is an Affenpinscher dog?

Affenpinscher dogs have average emotions and are adaptable to different situations, not requiring extra care like sensitive breeds do.

Affection Dependance

Are Affenpinscher dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Affenpinscher do well in apartments? Are Affenpinschers good indoor dogs?

Affenpinschers are known for being excellent apartment dogs. They are fairly active indoors and will do okay without a yard.

Child Friendly

Are Affenpinschers good with kids? Are Affenpinschers good around children?

Affenpinscher dogs are not kid-friendly.

Senior-friendly

Are Affenpinschers good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Affenpinschers good with cats? How friendly Affenpinschers are toward cats?

Affenpinschers are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Affenpinscher dogs get along with other dogs? Are Affenpinschers OK with other dogs?

Affenpinschers are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Affenpinscher dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Affenpinschers friendly with strangers?

Affenpinschers are average friendly around strangers. They can be wary around strangers and a little standoffish. Early socialisation is key.

Playfulness

Do Affenpinschers like to play? Are Affenpinschers playful?

The Affenpinscher is a playful dog. So, no matter how busy the day may get, the best thing you can do for your Affenpinscher is to make time each day to play. It can be as little as 15-20 minutes, and it will mean the world to them.

Trainability

Are Affenpinscher easily trained?

Affenpinscher dogs are usually easy to train, but may require consistency to fully obey commands.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Hypoallergenic
    Due to their hypoallergenic properties, Affenpinschers are a good choice for those with allergies who want a dog.
  • Size
    Affenpinscher are small in size and can adapt to living in small apartments.
  • Rarely barks
    If you're looking for a quieter breed, this one could be a good option as they are known for being relatively silent.
  • Minimal to no shedding
    Affenpinscher shedding is usually minimal to none, making coat maintenance easy.
  • Personality
    Affenpinscher have a playful and affectionate personality, making them great companions.

Cons

  • Energy
    Affenpinscher are high energy dogs and require regular exercise.
  • Not suitable for office environment
    Affenpinschers may not thrive in an office setting
  • Health concerns
    Similar to other breeds, Affenpinschers may experience certain health concerns such as Patellar Luxation, Hip Dysplasia and Lick Granuloma.