Affenpinscher: the little devil who conquers with his confidence

A charming little jokester who is also a real sergeant. Confident, determined, takes himself very seriously, but is also a dog who is always up for a bit of mischief. The Affenpinscher is not only attractive because of his looks, but also because of the qualities he has.

This sometimes wayward, goofy dwarf stirs the hearts of many. His huge confidence is the envy of anyone, and it’s great fun to live with such a real character. With his bushy eyebrows and beard, small stature and round eyes, he looks like a little monkey, hence his name. The breed is called Affenpinscher, where the prefix Affen means monkey in German. The French also call it the moustached devil.

History of the Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is thought to be one of the oldest lapdogs in Europe. But before it was a favourite of elite ladies, it hunted mice and rats in the 1600s. Over time, however, it was invited inside to catch rodents in the kitchen, where women were particularly feared because they wore long skirts. And once the Affenpinscher was in the house, he had no intention of moving. In the evening, he warmed the masters’ beds, and during the day he did his work. These dogs were slightly larger than the modern ones and came in a wider variety of colours. As they spent more and more time as bed warmers and room warmers, they became smaller and smaller.

Some believe the Brussels griffon is the Affenpinscher ancestor, but experts have yet to agree. What is certain is that this German breed has been depicted in paintings for centuries. In 1902, the breed standard was written in Berlin and finalised in 1913.

Breed standard

The Affenpinscher is the smallest member of the Pinscher Schnauzer family. Its small, stocky body, monkey-like appearance and almost comical confidence make it special. Its head is rounded rather than elongated, not too heavy, with a high, well-developed forehead. The muzzle is moderately short and does not curve upwards like a griffin. Nose black. Dentition pre-scratched, lips black. Ears set on high. Eyes black, full, round and not bulging. Neck short, straight and upturned. The snout is straight, with a total length of about the height of the marmoset. The sides of the chest are moderately flat but sufficiently deep. The belly line is moderately elevated at the loins. The limbs are straight and the gait is light. The paws are short and closed. The tail is high and carried upwards.

Its coat contributes greatly to its ape-like appearance. The head has bushy eyebrows and beard. The coat is hard, dense and bristly. Its colour is black, according to an older standard, to match the devilish temperament. (Interestingly, in the USA, Canada and Mexico, more colour variations are allowed than in Europe. Marrow height is 25-30 cm, body weight 4-6 kg. Life expectancy is 12-14 years.

Character

The description in Dr. Pál Sárkány’s International Dog Encyclopaedia is very accurate about the Affenpintscher. It says: “Small, but not at all weak, rather stocky, with an amusingly serious demeanour, it goes from quiet calmness to passionate outbursts, fearlessly and persistently attacking anything it perceives as an opponent. He is an epic and angry little devil, but touchingly devoted to his master and his house. Despite his small size, he is big enough to do his duty as a guard.”

And yes, indeed, the Affenpinscher is a real devil on fire. He really takes himself seriously, which makes him a very entertaining character. A tenacious and enterprising companion who never lets anything escape his attention. That’s why he’s a great signal dog, barking loudly if there’s trouble around the house. He doesn’t need much exercise, but will occasionally accompany his owner on outings. Although he is indeed a little rascal, he sometimes shows his sensitive side and vulnerability. He is very affectionate with his loved ones, even if his confident nature would lead you to believe otherwise.

He is very intelligent and a quick learner, which many people are surprised to find out. He thinks he is much bigger than he is. It is important to make him understand early on in his socialisation that he should not mess with other dogs. He likes to please his owner and show him what a good dog he is, so obedience is easy to teach. Of course, he adds to this with his great self-awareness.

Ideal environment

Thanks to its compact size, the monkey clamp goes with you wherever you go. It is at home in both gardens and apartments. It adapts easily to changing circumstances and different living situations. If you’re relaxing on the sofa, he’s in, but if you fancy a day out, you can sometimes put him on it too. For him, several walks a day, not too long, are enough. He has a number of endearing qualities that make him smile, for example he often walks on two hind legs. It is worth trying obedience exercises or agility with him to show what a great dog he is! He’s a great companion for almost everyone and is guaranteed to brighten up your day.

Care

To maintain the shaggy but pretty look, you should brush the coat weekly with a metal-toothed brush. Use the fingers to gently remove larger tangles. The head hair is usually combed forward on the face and then cut in an inverted V-shape to free the eyes. Similarly, the hair on the bridge of the nose is trimmed into a fan shape to leave the eye visible. The breeds’s coat does not grow quickly, so trimming every few months is sufficient. To achieve the characteristic look, it is advisable to seek the help of a beautician. For an official and detailed guide to the American Affenpinscher Club’s guide to grooming the Affenpinscher, click here. In addition to trimming and combing, the eyes and ears should always be kept clean. Also, the claws should be trimmed shorter if they grow too long.

Common health problems

The breed is generally a healthy breed, with no specific diseases. However, problems affecting mainly small dogs can also occur in Affenpinscher. Examples include patellofibroma, hip dysplasia, Perthes disease and various eye problems.

(Literature: Szinák János – Veress István: A világ kutyái II., David Alderton: Dogs, Joan Palmer:A Practical Guide to Selecting a Small Dog, Dr. Sárkány Pál: Nemzetközi Kutya-enciklopédia)