Affenpinscher

In German “Affen” means monkey, and “Pinscher” means terrier, perfectly describing the Affenpinscher breed’s appearance. In France, the Affenpinscher monkey dog is known as the “mustached little devil,” which is also befitting its personality. While one of the oldest toy dog breeds, the Affenpinscher's origins are somewhat obscure. Paintings by Dutch Masters from the 15th century often featured dogs resembling Affenpinschers, though there isn’t any concrete evidence the breed existed that far back.

In 17th-century Europe, small terriers resembling Affenpinschers were skilled at catching rats. They were used to clear stables and kitchens of rodents. Smaller versions of these terriers were favored as lap dogs, providing warmth, protection, and entertainment. These dogs eventually evolved into the Affenpinscher, which was refined through crosses with the Pug, German Pinscher, and German Silky Pinscher. 

Although the Affenpinscher breed is most popular in Germany, the dog did make its way to America in the early 20th century. However, World War II halted its growing popularity, and since then, the breed has remained quite rare worldwide. 

The Affenpinscher dog breed is ideal for someone who spends most of the day at home, enjoys gentle walks, and has older children or no children. Owners should be enthusiastic about training, possess a strong sense of humor, and have plenty of patience, as all will be required to train such a mentally strong dog.

If they’re fit and healthy, Affenpinschers can handle long walks and runs, though they can get by with daily walks. Their minds need to be challenged with games, toys, and puzzles.

Because of their small size, Affenpinschers can thrive in any type of home. As long as they are well-socialized and trained, Affenpinschers can adapt to life in towns, cities, or the country. However, if they live in more rural areas a secure yard is essential, as these clever little dogs can slip through tiny gaps or dig under barriers.

The Affenpinscher's rough, harsh coat is naturally shaggy. This makes regular grooming quite simple, as no brushing is needed. Owners should check their ears, eyes, and the fur around the mouth daily, and the coat for any debris after a walk.

The Affenpinscher is a clever and enthusiastic learner who thrives on training sessions where they can bond with their owner, but like other terrier breeds, they can be mentally strong and easily bored. Owners will need to keep trying their hands at training with lots of positive reinforcement. Affenpinscher puppies should be socialized early to help with confidence.

The Affenpinscher is well-suited as a family dog for older children and teenagers but may be too small and easily underfoot to be safe around very young children. This breed is excellent for quiet families or child-free homes.

The cost of an Affenpinscher from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.