| Affenpinschers: the most honest dog breed review you'll ever find. Information about Affenpinscher personality and behavior. |
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My book, Your Purebred Puppy: A Buyer's Guide (published by Henry Holt & Co.), includes a full-page profile of the Affenpinscher, including these excerpts:
"This inquisitive toy terrier is often described as comically serious. Certainly he is spunkier and more spirited than most toys.
The Affenpinscher is a busybody who dashes around checking out new sights and sounds. His playful antics are delightfully entertaining as he clutches toys with his agile paws.
An extremely keen watchdog, the Affenpinscher may maintain his suspicious attitude even after a guest has been welcomed in.
Most are fine with other family pets, especially when raised with them, but Affenpinschers are somewhat high-strung, tend to tremble when excited, and if they perceive an invasion of their space by an approaching stranger or strange dog, they can become raucous and blustery.
Affenpinschers have a mind of their own and without a firm hand can be obstinate and demanding, tossing tantrums or sulking when they don't get their own way.
Spoiling is not recommended for this breed, especially since he is so bright and does respond well to calm, patient training.
Like most terrier types, the Affenpinscher is proud and sensitive and does not take kindly to being teased."
History
Affenpinschers were developed in Germany. Affen means monkey, referring to his bushy black face and large eyes. Pinscher translates to biter, referring to his skill at hunting vermin in barns and stables.
Size
9-12 inches and 7-10 lbs, but larger individuals are common and make sturdy pets |
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Affenpinschers
What's good about 'em
What's bad about 'em
- Is small, easy to carry, and doesn't take up much space
- Looks like a wiry-coated terrier
- Is spunkier than most toys (his terrier background)
- Takes himself very seriously (which can be amusing to watch)
- Makes a keen watchdog
- Doesn't need a lot of exercise
- Doesn't shed very much
An Affenpinscher may be right for you.
| If you don't want to deal with... |
- The fragility of toy breeds (see below)
- Suspiciousness toward strangers and strange dogs
- Stubbornness (a mind of his own)
- Regular brushing and trimming of the rough wiry coat
- Housebreaking difficulties
- Barking
- Waiting lists (hard to find)
An Affenpinscher may not be right for you.
| If I were considering an Affenpinscher... |
My major concerns would be:
- Fragility. Too many people acquire a toy breed puppy without understanding how incredibly fragile a toy breed is. You can seriously injure or kill an Affenpinscher by stepping on him or by sitting on him when he's curled under a blanket or pillow, where he frequently likes to sleep. And Affenpinschers can seriously injure or kill THEMSELVES by leaping from your arms or off the back of your sofa. A larger dog can grab an Affenpinscher and break his neck with one quick shake. Owning a toy breed means constant supervision and surveillance of what's going on around your tiny dog. Affenpinschers must always be kept indoors, in a safely fenced yard, or on-leash -- they are just too easy to injure when not under your complete control.
| Affenpinscher puppies are NOT suited to small children, no matter how well-meaning the child. Children cannot help being clumsy, and that a child meant well is little solace to an Affenpinscher puppy who has been accidentally stepped on, sat on, rolled on, squeezed, or dropped onto the patio. Even Affenpinscher adults may feel overwhelmed by the loud voices and quick movements that children can't help making -- and stress and shyness (even defensive biting) may be the result. |
- Suspiciousness. Many Affenpinschers will put on a display of excited ferociousness ("pitching a fit") when other people or animals approach them or anything they consider "theirs". It sounds funny, but isn't -- if you don't curtail it, your Affenpinscher may end up suspicious of everyone, which is a short step to biting.
- Mind of their own. Affenpinschers are not Golden Retrievers. They have an independent mind of their own and can be manipulative. Some Affenpinschers are willful, obstinate, and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.
- Grooming. To keep their wiry coat free of mats, Affenpinschers require regular brushing, and also clipping and trimming every few months.
- Housebreaking. Toy breeds are almost always difficult to housebreak. It is so easy for them to sneak behind a chair or under a small table, and it takes only a few seconds for the deed to be done. The results can be hard to see. When you don't see it, you don't correct it -- and so the bad habit becomes established. If you hope to housebreak a toy breed, consistent crate training is mandatory. Toy breeds should not be loosed in the house for many months, until their small internal organs become strong enough for reliable control.
- Barking. Affenpinschers are often too quick to sound the alarm at every new sight and sound. You have to be equally quick to stop them.
- Finding one. In the United States, only about 200 new Affenpinscher puppies are registered each year. (Compare that to over 60,000 new Golden Retriever puppies!)
| Not all Affenpinschers are alike! |
- There are energetic Affenpinschers, and placid Affenpinschers.
- Hard-headed Affenpinschers, and sweet-natured Affenpinschers.
- Serious Affenpinschers, and good-natured goofballs.
- Introverted Affenpinschers, and Affenpinschers who love everyone.
| If you acquire an Affenpinscher puppy, you can't know for sure what he or she will grow up to be like. Because a good number of purebred puppies do NOT grow up to conform to the "norm." |
| If you're considering an adult Affenpinscher... |
There are plenty of adult Affenpinschers who have already proven themselves NOT to have negative characteristics. If you find such an adult, don't let "typical breed negatives" worry you.
When you acquire a puppy, you're acquiring potential -- what he one day will be. So "typical breed characteristics" are very important. But when you acquire an adult, you're acquiring what he already IS.
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