Affenpinscher - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Small

Height: 24 - 28cm (9.5 - 11 inches)

Weight: 3 - 4kg (6.5 - 9 lb)

Life Span: 15 years

Grooming: Easy

Exercise: Moderate

Feeding: Undemanding

Temperament: Self-confident & lively

Country of Origin: Germany

AKC Group: Toy

Other Names: Monkey Dog

Temperament:

The Affenpinscher is intelligent, playful, curious, alert and mischievous. Affenpinschers are affectionate companions and family pets. They can be quite fearless towards aggressors and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence makes them easy to train, once they learn who is boss, however if Affenpinschers are spoilt, then their owners may find their home run by a little canine dictator. They get on well with children and other household pets, however most Affenpinschers will refuse unknown visitors entry into the home.

Grooming:

Relatively easy, with brushing required once or twice per week to remove dead hair and keep it free of knots. No trimming required and Affenpinscher's have minimal moulting.

Exercise:

Moderate exercise is required, but Affenpinschers can tolerate reasonably long distances.

History:

Affenpinschers originated in Germany several centuries ago and pictures of them can be seen depicted in the paintings of the early Dutch masters. The evolvement of this breed may have come about with the cross-breeding of Miniature Pinschers to the local wire coated terriers. It has been broadly accepted that the Affenpinscher is the progenitor of both smooth and rough coated varieties of the toy Griffin.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Small and stocky with a trotting gait.

Colour: Black (or black with lighter shadings)

Coat: Wire-haired and rough and harsh in texture. Shaggy around the face with a wreath-like circle of hair framing the face giving a monkey-like appearance.

Tail: Usually docked short and carried high.

Ears: Either upright or dropped.

Body: Square with a deep, barrel shaped chest. Short, straight back.

Additional Comments:

The Affenpinscher got it's name from it's resemblance to the monkey. In German, 'affe' means monkey and the apish expression is the hallmark of these Toy Dogs.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of Dooziedog.com, for more pictures visithttp://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/affenpinscher/