Affenpinscher Health Problems, Issues Concerns

Unfortunately, like most breeds, this little dog does have a few health concerns that should be known by any potential pet owner; first and foremost, the Affenpinscher's ferocious little nature can lead him to scrap with other dogs, resulting in cuts and broken bones, if his owner is not diligent. Additionally, the Affenpinscher can also suffer from a subluxated patella, or slipped stifle, which can cause him to have a hitch or pronounced limp in his movement. To prevent this, it's wise to teach your terrier not to jump up, whether it is on people or furniture, and should he be allowed on the furniture at all, rugs should be placed on the floors by the foot of chairs and sofas, to reduce risk of his slipping and falling, should he get excited and attempt to jump down.

The Affenpinscher has very large, prominent eyes that are prone to both scratches and ulcers. Additionally, they can suffer fungal infections in the wrinkle between the eyes and nose, so it is always good to pay close attention and make regular checks of your Affenpinscher's eyes. 

»»  READMORE...

How Affenpinscher Got Its Name?

Affenpinscher is a breed of dog that is known as monkey dog. Its name is sometimes hard to pronounce and you might wonder how the name came to be. This name came from it appearance as well as its actions. Affen is a German word for monkey. It is clear that this dog has features similar to a monkey. It is obvious from the beginning that this breed of dog got monkey like action. Affenpinscher can be described with dark eyes, short muzzles, black nose and black lips. Actually its lower lip that projects an expression resembles like that of a monkey.

The appearance is not the only thing that resembles the monkey. Their actions are also like the ones of a monkey. They use their paws to hold their toys and they also toss them in the air. Affenpinscher is a dog that is full of energy and they are so curious about their environment. It seems that these dogs have a mind of their own. It can balance itself on hind legs. They can also do unique movements like curl their tails and sit on their spines.

Pinscher can also be translated to terriers. They are good hunters of mice and rats. Earlier they are considered as a champion mouse catcher. They are mostly found in barns or stores. People want a small dogs but it can still maintain hunting skills. Breeders are worked with several dog breeds to make small dogs with hunting prowess. This is the reason why affenpinscher is born.

This dog is considered as a toy but its history as a working animal couldn't be erased. The dog tends to show fierceness but very loyal to the family. It is a good and excellent watchdog. They are very suspicious of strangers. You would need to train them while they are still a puppy. The name Affenpinscher comes from the dog's personality, appearance and history. The dogs can live up to its name.

»»  READMORE...

Fast Affenpinscher Facts

Country of Origin: Germany
Alternate Names:
Size Variations:
Color Variations: Black (Most Common)
Black with Grey
Black with Red
Black with Tan
Height: 24 to 28 cm
9.5 - 11 inches
Weight: 3 - 4 kg
6.5 - 9 pounds
Exercise Needs: Moderate
Grooming Demands: Moderate
Life Expectancy: 12 to 14 years
Good With Children: Yes
Good With Other Pets: Yes
Trainability: Medium Difficult
Common Misspellings: Affenpincher, Affinpinscher, Affinpincher, Athenpincher, Athenpinscher, Affanpincher, Affanpinscher
Average Price Cost For A Affenpinscher Puppy: cost

»»  READMORE...

Owning an Affenpinscher

Affenpinschers need to be closely groomed at least two or three times per week to make their 1 inch coat clean and nice smelling. These little dogs are fun loving animals. It's very easy to create a wonderful relationship with them, they are very adventurous, active, curious and, at times, stubborn. The great thing about them is the fact that they are playful and fun loving animals and that is what makes them such great company and pets, especially for children.

Owners will easily develop great camaraderie with them as they are an affectionate bunch, especially to family members and they display it by being protective of their owners.

They need continuous and consistent training because of the difficulties involved in housebreaking or house training them. The training methods should be changed constantly as they easily bore when asked to do repetitive tasks. They also possess the qualities of being territorial with their food and toys so having them play with little children is not recommended.

Affenpinschers are generally quiet, but they can be very nervous or excited when attacked, surprised or threatened. They show no sign of fear towards aggressors. They will be greatly appreciated by a family who longs for a good humored dog breed and who likes to be entertained by shows put up by their pet dogs.

The Affen is prone to a health condition called dysphasia. Just like with other smaller breeds of dogs, they are subject to a case of collapsed trachea and the best way of avoiding this is to walk your dog by using a harness instead of the traditional dog collars. Cataracts can sometimes occur in this breed.

Owners should bear in mind that their dog craves the utmost attention and it will easily adopt one of the family member as their leader. If there is a lap available, chances are it would want to sit on that lap. They tend to wander around finding a more comfortable place to sleep it's recommended that owners set up a comfortable sleeping place for their little bundle of love.

When you have two or more Affenpinschers, one tend to get jealous of the other for attention. It can also happen if you have other pet animals like a cat. But mostly they get along with other pets like cats and other breeds of dogs.

Overall this is are a very easy breed to own and live with. They like to play with their master, especially in the park, and they care for their owners. They are a great source of entertainment for those who likes seeing lively dogs.

Affenpinschers have an average lifespan of approximately 11.5 years; most, if taken well care of, can live even longer... old enough for them to share a lot of wonderful memories with the rest of the family and be an active, much loved part of the family.

Taking good care of your little monkey dog will reap great rewards as this breed knows how to express its love and respect for their masters and owners.

»»  READMORE...

Affenpinscher Health Problems and Raising an Affenpinscher Puppy to be Healthy

The most common health problems in Affenpinschers:

Orthopedic diseases include luxating patella (most common), Legg-Calve-Perthes disease (less common but more serious), and hip dysplasia. The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 136 Affenpinschers and found 12% dysplastic. That's extremely high for a small dog.

Heart disease (patent ductus arteriosus and mitral valve disease) is a concern in Affenpinschers.

Cataracts can severely affect vision in this breed. Other eye diseases in Affenpinschers are glaucoma, corneal ulcers, dry eye, and tear duct disorders.

Hormonal/endocrine system diseases include hypothyroidism and Cushings disease.

Skin problems include allergies that cause itchy skin, pyoderma, and non-tumorous growths (sebaceous cysts).

Other health issues reported in Affenpinschers are blood-clotting disease (von Willebrand's), liver shunt, and hernias.

Affenpinschers are prone to dental disease and harmless episodes of reverse sneezing.

»»  READMORE...

Is An Affenpinscher Puppy The Right Choice For Me And My Family?

The Affenpinscher is considered a toy breed by the AKC. It is a wiry-haired dog that looks somewhat like a terrier but is not. It is a curious, active, confident, fun loving, lively and affectionate dog. It has small erect ears and some owners crop these ears, especially if he is to be a show dog. Other owners have stopped cropping the ears and still show them.

*Are They Good With Children? They can be just fine with older children. But they are generally very territorial, especially with their food and toys so they are not considered appropriate as pets for small children. There are always exceptions to the rule. Never leave very young children alone with any dog.

*Temperment. They are generally quiet but alert. They can become fierce and fearless if they or their human family is threatened. They exhibit loyalty and affection to their adopted family.

*Approximate Adult Size. Generally the adults range from 7 to 8 pounds and 9 1/2 inches to 11 1/2 inches tall at the highest point of the adult dogs back, or withers.

*Ideal Environment. A fenced yard is always ideal for a dog but they will do well in an apartment. Expect them to run around in your apartment for exercise. If you do not have a yard, they will need frequent walks to burn off some of their energy. They do not like extreme temperatures, very cold or very hot.

*Special Health Considerations. This dog is considered to be very healthy but luxating patellas or trick knee is a common problem. This is where the kneecap dislocates or gets out of whack. This condition occurs more frequently in miniature and smaller breeds. Other less common considerations are patent ductus, hip dysplasia, Legg-Calve-Perthes Syndrome and collapsed trachea.

*Grooming. He has a harsh coat which should be brushed weekly and never clipped. The coat can be difficult to work with so an occasional professional grooming would be a good idea.

*Life Span. The average life span is 10 to 12 years.

*Training. It is recommended that they be crate trained. Because they can be stubborn and difficult to house train, crate training is ideal. Crate training runs on the principle that dogs and puppies instinctively do not want to soil their immediate surroundings. This will work in your favor. As long as you take your puppy out frequently, and understand that every time that puppy comes out she will need to go outside immediately, the puppy will almost house train itself. Praise the puppy every time she does her business outside.

*Training your puppy to poop outside is not that hard. When your puppy is loose in the home, at first, follow her around and keep a sharp eye on her. She will probably have to poop either right before she eats or right after, or right before and right after. It will not be rocket science to figure out her schedule. She has some control over this function and will welcome a chance for you to help her do the right thing and learn the rules. Give her lots of praise for pooping outside, every time. She wants to please you.

*Pee training is more difficult as your puppy can pee about 10,000 times a day, or at least it seems that way. Actually, your puppy has some bladder control but not much capacity so taking her out before and after everything you do will help her figure out that peeing in the house is not the right thing to do. Lots of praise is essential when she pees outside. Raise your voice a little when you praise her as she does not understand English. At first, she will pee in the house just because she has a little discomfort and why hold it. When she figures out that you do not want her to pee in the house, she will make an effort to hold it until she goes out. Her holding time as a puppy is short so frequent outs are a necessity. Between your positive reinforcement, her increased capacity to hold her pee as she becomes an older puppy and her instinct, you will be successful. Keep in mind that there will be accidents. Be sure to wipe down with a bit of white vinegar after you clean up an accident to make the scent so she does not get the wrong idea.

*History. The Affenpinscher was developed in Germany and goes all of the way back to the 17th century. The name relates to the German affe which means monkey in German. The monkey dog. The French call them the devil dog. The breed was developed to kill rats, mice, and other vermin in and around the house and barn.

»»  READMORE...

Affenpinscher Dog

The Affenpinscher is a small dog that has shaggy fur. They have a wiry-type coat, their face fur is always longer than the body's fur. In size, they are smaller than a working terrier. They are a hardy breed of dog. They should have a reasonable but profound chest and a good square body. Their head should be round which transcends from the back skull to their muzzle. It has good straight teeth in its lower jaw, which are prominent from its nose. With lovely round eyes, that are black in colour. The neck needs to be short and arched. Their limbs are straight and well boned, not thin. Their tail is docked at two thirds its natural length. Ears are docked as well to give fine points and erect. Some country's do not allow docking and this has been abandoned there. They mainly have black or greys as the main colour, but you can find black and tan, red or silver. The dogs undercoat is slightly curly.

History: The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest toy dog breeds. Its roots go back to the terrier and the Brussels Griffon. The breed's nickname is "monkey dog". This is due to the facial expressions and face structure. It is believed to have come from Germany, their name Affenpinscher translates as "monkey Terrier" It is thought the first of this breed worked on the farms and was larger than the dogs we see in the modern counterpart. The dog on the farm job was to keep the rat population down. Later this breed was miniaturized and became a house pet in the 18th century.

Temperament: As with the Terrier family the Affenpinscher needs to feel secure with who is boss. They get on well with other dogs and pets, that they have been raised with. They have an inquisitive nature, and can be rather mischievous and playful. This dog can be rather affectionate but needs firm handling. This breed can be a good companion.

Health issues: The Affenpinscher dog breed can be prone to fractures and also slipped stifle, open fontanel and breathing difficulties in hot weather.

Grooming: Never clip this dog breeds fur short, as if you do you can spend a few years getting the ruined coat back to standard. You will need to brush and comb your dog weekly. Sometimes, like the Terrier it will need plucking done to its fur. This has to be done by a specialist saloon. Hairs can grow in the corner of the eyes and need to be sorted quickly with prompt action.

Living conditions: The Affenpinscher dog breed is very active but can play indoors happily. They can live in apartments. They are sensitive to extreme temperatures, which can damage their fur. Over warm weather can cause breathing difficulties.

»»  READMORE...

Facts You Must Know Before Adopting Affenpinscher

Coat

The Affenpinscher has a rough, wiry, dense, and bushy coat. They have less harsh and longer coat on the head, chest, neck, stomach, and legs, usually shorter on the behind and tail. The grown Affenpinscher has a cape of sturdy hair. The hair on the head is longer, suspending the eyebrows and beard which forms the monkey-like appearance. A little grooming is needed to get the neat but shaggy appearance. The coat is black, gray, silver, red, tan, and belge (combination of black, white, and red hairs).

Activity

Affenpinschers require little exercise. Short walks couple of times a day is enough to keep them happy. Although they appreciate indoor activities, an outdoor secured area where they can play for hours is highly recommended. Affens enjoy hikes, but should be carefully watched for they are known to have a daring nature.

Temperament

The Affenpinscher gets along well with dogs, and other household pets. This breed of dog is fun-loving, playful, active, loyal, but can be mischievous and stubborn at times. Protective towards property and family members, they have the attitude that makes a good guard dog. Affens are typically quiet, but gets really excited when threatened as they tend to fight back.

Overview

The Affenpinscher is believed to have originated in Germany, and surrounding areas of Europe. Their name is German which literally translates as "Monkey Terrier" as suppose to their monkey-like expression.

Care

Although this breed is known to shred little hair, it should be groomed constantly. Regular grooming decreases loose fur in the environment. The Affenpinschers coat must be brushed and combed once or twice a week. It should never be clipped too short since it damages the coat. Plucking is usually needed and professional services are available, but it is recommended that you learn how to do it yourself. Hair that grows in the corners of the eyes should be constantly trimmed as it causes irritation.

The average life expectancy of the Affenpinscher is 10-12 years. Their little stature makes them at risk for collapsed trachea condition due to the pressure around the neck from leashes and collars. Due to their short, stubby nose, they are prone to airway problems. Because of this, it is advised that you walk your Affenpinscher on a harness instead of a leash.

Training

Affenpinschers are known to be stubborn and independent. It is important to be firm and consistent in training this breed. Although they learn commands quickly, make sure to train in various ways as they tend to get bored easily. Some owners treat them like a small dog, which results to lack of proper pack leadership. For this reason, this kind of breed is not recommended for young children. This kind of treatment brings out negative behavior of the dog. Owners should always act as the dog's pack leader to avoid authority to guard their toys and food.

Character

The Affenpinscher has a terrier-like personality. They get along well with other dogs and household pets. They are curious, inquisitive, and persistent. Although they are difficult to housebreak, they are a breed that is easy to train. Affenpinschers are the breed that goes best with families that enjoys comical acts.

»»  READMORE...

Affenpinscher - The Monkey Dog

The Affenpinscher is a small 7 to 8 pound dog that usually does not exceed around 10 inches in height. The Affenpinscher has bushy eyebrows and shaggy hair and most often is considered to look somewhat like a monkey. Although this certainly is a dog, you might consider that sometimes it is a monkey by the way that it acts.

Affenpinschers look like terriers but they're actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup. The common color of an Affenpinscher is black, although the AKC will allow them to be other colors such as gray, silver, and a combination of black and tan but Black is always preferred.

They are very playful and lively. They get along, generally speaking, with other dogs and pets but they can become excitable around small children so they're not necessarily recommended as a family pet where small children are around. They often can be territorial when it comes to their food so you might want to take this into consideration as well. That being said Affenpinschers certainly can be a fun pet to own and can provide hours of entertainment.

The breed can date itself back to the 17th century and has European origins. In fact its name is a combination between the German word for monkey and terrier. Originally the breed was a little bit larger than it is now standing about 12 to 13 inches in height, but it had similar colors. Its original purpose was as a ratter, working very hard to to remove rodents from places such as kitchens and stables.

All in all, the Affenpinscher can make a fun and loving pet that can provide hours of fun while it plays and puts on a show for it's owners. A faithful and loyal breed, the Affenpinscher is a pet to look into having for your family.

»»  READMORE...