You know how some protagonists always have that really funny best friend in movies? Well, the happy and mischievous Affenpinscher does share some similarities with those characters. Belonging to the ‘toy dog’ breed, these pooches are also known as the ‘monkey terrier’. So if you plan to bring an Affenpinscher into your home, these are some important information that will help you be prepared for the addition of a new family member.
Is The Affenpinscher Popular In India?
The Affenpinscher enjoys a fair amount of popularity in India despite it requiring one to be on a waitlist, due to the rarity of the breed. Their fun and apartment friendly temperament makes them a good fit for the Indian family.
Availability
The Affenpinscher is a rare breed of dog. Hence it is advisable to go through a certified and reputable breeder if you want an Affen as your pet. You certainly won’t find it all that easily here in India.
Price Of The Affenpinscher in India
Due to the rarity of the breed, the starting price is ₹70,000 and can go above ₹1,00,000 depending on the breeder. The price also depends on the quality of the dog, which can come in three variants- basic, KCI certified and show quality, which is the ascending order of both the quality and the price.
Monthly Maintenance Cost
The Affenpinscher needs to be brushed once or twice a week and given a bath at least once every two weeks. Clean their ears and eyes and trim their nails whenever required. Brush their teeth regularly as the toy dog breeds are prone to dental diseases. They will also need to visit a groomer every once in a while, so observe their hair growth and figure out a schedule for that. Make sure to get them all their vaccinations and get their health check-ups done regularly. All in all, the monthly maintenance of the Affen should be around Rs 2,000 – Rs 4,000.
History And Popularity
Do you feel like the appearance of this little mutt resembles that of a monkey to an extent? Well, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the Affenpinscher, having originated in Germany, literally means “monkey dog”, which was coined as such due to its appearance. It is considered to be the oldest toy dog breed in the world.
Many believe that they used to be much bigger in size, back when they were used to hunt rats, but were later bred down in size to their role as the companion dog of today. Affenpinschers were quite the popular dogs with the rich and famous in southern Germany, before being introduced in the US after the second world war. But today, they are one of the most coveted dog breeds in the world.
Characteristics
The Affen weighs between 3-6 kg and can be 23-30 cm tall. Its fur is coarse and wiry, often taking a shaggy appearance. While the preferred colour for the Affen is black, different clubs allow different standards for the variety in colors, including brown, grey, red, tan or a mixture of them. The ears and tail are generally either tied or cut off. However, there are some places where it’s against the law to do so, Europe being one of them.
Temperament Of The Affenpinscher
The Affen is very intelligent and has a lot of spunk. It is a generally quiet dog, but due to its fearless nature, will not hesitate to pick a fight if agitated. They can be very territorial of their owners and their toys, so be wary of that if there are children in your house. However, they get along well with other animals and humans, if introduced at an early age. You can surely expect them to be fiercely loyal, protective and affectionate towards their family.
They need firm consistent training as they can be difficult to housebreak, like any other toy dog. It is advisable to not be harsh with them as that can cause aggression on their part. Affenpinschers are excellent watch dogs due to their alert and active nature. They are famous for their antics and creativity and make people laugh very easily. Their clown-like charm and ‘big dog in a small body’ attitude never fails to amuse and makes them easy companions.
See also: Best Watch Dog Breeds
Lifespan
A healthy Affenpinscher can live up to 11-14 years.
Are Affenpinschers Hypoallergenic?
Yes. The Affens are some of the least shedding dogs out there. However, they must still be bathed once every two weeks and their toys and bedding must be cleaned once every few days, just to be completely free of any possible hair.
See also: List of Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Average Litter Size
The average litter size of the Affen is 2-3 puppies.
What Is The Affenpinscher Like As A Puppy?
The Affen as a puppy is rather playful and gets along surprisingly well with other animals. They do tend to be stubborn though, which can make them difficult to housebreak, unless training is started early, with a firm hand. It would be helpful to praise them and give them treats for a smoother training process. They will respond well to that, being quick learners and always eager to please their owners.
Affenpinschers are very confident and adventurous and often don’t realize that they are small in size, which means that they don’t back away from fights if agitated. One thing to keep in mind is that they do need ample amount of playtime and lots of attention. You should also know that they are rather possessive of their toys, so be careful of that in a house with children. At the end of the day, Affenpinschers are very affectionate puppies who grow into loyal and protective dogs.
Good Diet For The Affenpinscher
Affenpinschers, as puppies, need to be fed 1/4 – 1/2 cup of dry food daily in two meals. This may be mixed with water or stock. As they reach 6 months of age, they may be given up to two cups of food, divided into two meals daily, with a few treats in between. You can feed them eggs, fruits and vegetables, though this shouldn’t be more than ten percent of their diet.
Keep them away from excess of human food, as that can cause certain deficiencies. Their water bowl should always be full. Be observant of their nutritional needs and activity levels. An active dog will require more food than a laidback one. Also, be wary of their oral health as these dogs are particularly prone to dental problems and the food they eat directly affects their teeth.
Health Problems
They are a generally healthy breed, but like any other dog, can have some health concerns which one must be aware of. This is not to say that they will have them for sure, but the awareness helps with being prepared for them.
They can have patellar luxation, like other small breeds, and are rather prone to dental problems as mentioned before. Clean their teeth regularly and be on the lookout for any signs of bad breath.
They may also get heartworms, which are parasites that reside in the heart, and can be passed on if they come into contact with another dog with that condition. Get them checked annually for it and also, as an added precaution, give them a tablet for it in the warmer months.
Other than these possible concerns, just make sure never to miss appointments with the vet for your Affen and get them all their vaccinations on time. Be observant of any changes in diet or activity. Get them their thirty minutes of daily exercise for their overall maintenance and well being and you will have a healthy and sprightly dog which you would be more than happy to care for.
Frequently Asked Questions about Affenpinscher
How much does an Affenpinscher cost?
Affenpinscher prices start at INR 70,000 and can go up to INR 1,00,000 depending on the breeder.
Are Affenpinschers easy to train?
Affenpinschers are a very intelligent breed of dog who generally want to please. Of course, you must do some basic obedience training, but as long as they have bonded with their human, it will be easier for them to learn new commands and behavior appropriate for a domesticated canine.
Is Affenpinscher a good family dog?
Affenpinschers make excellent family dogs. Their tolerance of children is high, and it doesn’t seem to matter how energetic the kids are! However, Affenpinschers will typically not do well with small pets such as rodents or other small animals that might be around your home.
How smart is an Affenpinscher?
Don’t let the Affenpinscher’s lightweight fool you. This Toy dog is a little devil with a big doggy attitude, and he loves his family, which makes him fiercely loyal! The most intelligent of all Terriers, this canine will have your heart melting in no time at all when it comes to affectionate loyalty for humans.
Are Affenpinschers quiet?
Affenpinschers are pretty vocal and can bark when someone is approaching the front door. They are bred to be companions for their owners, and they enjoy playing with and sometimes barking at other people or pets. Despite being a small dog breed, Affenpinschers have a loud voice that can be heard from a distance. If you live in an apartment complex where there’s not much outdoor space available for your pet, this might not be the best choice of breeds. Because these dogs get lonely very easily; without much social interaction, they will find ways to let you know their loneliness by whining vocally or by barking constantly.
Are Affenpinschers healthy?
You may be wondering whether or not an Affenpinscher is a right fit for you and your family given their various health conditions; Affenpinschers are a healthy breed of dog; they’re all manageable with some caution.
Are Affenpinscher guard dogs?
Affenpinschers are primarily animals that can live in small spaces and who prefer to stay near their owners. They’re not suitable as guard dogs because of their small size.
Do Affenpinschers like to cuddle?
Affenpinschers love to cuddle! They’re a perfect-sized lap dog, bred to be enjoyed by the very elderly. However, for those who harbor any doubts about their affectionate attitude, you need only find one in person to experience their rapid tail-wagging and exuberant kissing.
Why do Affenpinschers shake?
The Affenpinscher often shakes with excitement or when afraid. He’ll become aggressive and violent to appear strong if you approach him too quickly!
How tall is an Affenpinscher?
Affenpinschers are small and sturdy little dogs, standing less than a foot tall! Affens usually weigh 7 pounds or less though they can go up as high as 8 pounds depending on the dog’s overall health.
How much exercise does an Affenpinscher need?
Affenpinschers, being smaller in size than most dogs, need about 30 minutes of exercise daily. You can do this by taking them on a walk or playing games together. Of course, your dog also needs to get off-leash from time to time!
Do Affenpinscher dogs shed?
Affenpinscher dogs do not shed much. They do, however, have a single coat that does need to be brushed with a wire brush or comb every few days (at the absolute most) and clipped when necessary. A small amount of shedding is common in all breeds since they are still growing their coats out.
Where can I find Affenpinscher?
The Affenpinscher is a rare breed of dog. Hence it is advisable to go through a certified and reputable breeder if you want an Affen as your pet. You certainly won’t find one all that easily here in India, which means the odds are much higher for getting yourself or someone else their perfect match!
Do Affenpinschers like cats?
Affenpinschers can be quite friendly and affectionate, so they are more likely to get along with a cat than other breeds.
Things To Take Care Of
When going out in public, have them on a leash. Affenpinschers are energetic and fearless dogs, who don’t know caution in the face of danger. That very trait could mean they can at times get themselves in trouble or experience random scrapes and cuts on them, so watch for that. Sure, Affies are not naturally inclined to like children, but they can get along well with them given some training. Other than these, give them basic care, love and attention along with regular health checks and you will have one of the best companions anybody could ask for.
