22 Jan Interesting Facts about the Affenpinscher Dog Breed

The Affenpinscher is a small dog with long hair all over his face, acting like a terrier. Other characteristics of the Affenpinschers are round bodies, deep chests, short necks and round and black eyes. He keeps his tail raised. The ears are pointed and completely raised. They are seen in black and dark grey colours, but they are also found in red and brown colours. Stay tuned to the end of this article to learn more about the Affenpinscher dog breed.

Highlights of the Affenpinscher dog breed

• Like many breeds of domestic dogs, the Affenpinscher loves toys.
• While the hair of the Affenpinscher is resistant, has little shedding and is often hypoallergenic, it may produce dandruff.
• Like their ancestors, the Affenpinscher is compatible with rodent pets such as hamsters, ferrets, etc. However, they tend to have a dog of their breed in the family. They don’t get along well with cats, especially if they aren’t grown up.
• The Affenpinscher is generally not recommended for families with toddlers or small children. He’s loyal to adult members of his family and can be a very good companion for a family with older children.
• Affenpinscher dogs are a rare species that you have to wait in line for a long time to have.

History of the Affenpinscher dog breed

Paintings by Dutch artists in the 15th century show a small, rough galvanized, bearded dog, and this may indeed be some ancestor of the Affenpinscher. This dog originated in Germany and spread strongly throughout Central Europe; which were kept in stables, shops, farms and houses. The Affenpinscher was adopted in 1936 and officially entered into the AKC stud book. The first Affenpinscher registered with the AKC was Nollie V. and was named Anwander. During World War II, the breeding of the Affenpinscher was stopped in the United States. In 1950, interest in this breed was revived. He’s still rare today.

The personality of the Affenpinscher dog breed

This dog is compatible with other dogs and pets, especially if he grows up with them from an early age. He is brave, stubborn, playful and busy; A fearless defender, very emotional and charming, has a terrier-like demeanour and enjoys being with family members. He must be trained carefully and patiently. He learns normal tasks very quickly. but this breed isn’t good for children. He’s defensive towards his food and toys. As long as the temperature is above 20 degrees, he likes climbing. He often barks and is a good choice for busy and lively families.

Health and diseases

There is no special disease or problem for Affenpinscher. Like other broad-faced dogs, he has breathing problems in hot weather.

Patellar slippage

Also known as “split patella” is a common problem in small dogs. This condition occurs when the patella, which has three parts – the femur (thigh bone), patella and tibia – isn’t formed properly. This problem causes a limp in the leg or an abnormal gait, one that looks like a skip or a hop. These conditions may be present at birth, although the current disorder or dislocation may not become apparent until much later. Dislocation of the patella caused by rubbing can lead to arthritis or degenerative joint disease. There are four degrees of the sprained patella, ranging from the first degree, where temporary lameness occasionally causes dislocation of the joints, to the second degree, in which the flexion of the leg and patella isn’t severe. In more severe dislocation of the patella, reconstructive surgery may be needed.

Legg-Perthes diseases

Generally, leg-Perth disease occurs in small breeds. This condition usually occurs at 6 to 9 months of age and can be confused with hip dysplasia. It causes arthritis and can be repaired with surgery.

Hip Dysplasia

This problem is a hereditary disease. You may not notice any signs of discomfort in a dog with hip dysplasia. If you love to have this dog, you need to make sure that the parents are tested for hip dysplasia and free of problems. Hip dysplasia is hereditary, but can also be caused by environmental factors, such as rapid growth from a high-calorie diet or injuries from jumping or falling.

Caring for the Affenpinscher dog breed

This dog is ideal for apartment living, especially if you have sensitive neighbours. A short brisk walk is enough for him. A fenced backyard is ideal for his activity. This dog doesn’t hesitate for a moment to confront animals much larger than himself, which may even lead to tragedy. Like many housetrain breeds, he likes toys. The key to achieving training and learning in the Affenpinscher is encouragement and trying to always make training fun for him. Remember to consider encouragement and motivation in the training of Affenpinscher.

Nutrition

It’s better to give the Affenpinscher 1.4 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food per day, in two meals. The amount of food for an adult dog depends on his size, age, body metabolism and activity level. If you aren’t sure about your dog’s weight, you can keep your dog in ideal condition by measuring food and feeding him twice a day. Place your hand on his waist, along the spine and touch with your fingers downwards without much pressure. You should be able to feel his ribs, in this case, your dog is in good physical condition. If your dog is overweight, he needs less food and more exercise.

The best food for the Affenpinscher 

The best food for the Affenpinscher breed is food that meets all the needs of his body and is of very high quality. It’s better to use high-quality food for your dog instead of giving low-quality food in large portions. Carbohydrates, minerals and proteins are necessary for the body of Affenpinscher; Because dogs need all these resources and should be included in their diet. Besides the main meals, there are various ready-made food supplements that you can use to strengthen your dog; Especially if you have a pregnant or lactating female dog.

Grooming

• To maintain your dog’s appearance, brush your dog weekly with a soft brush, then use a metal one.
• Other grooming needs include oral and dental hygiene and nail care. Like many small breeds, the Affenpinscher needs brushing several times a week to prevent bacterial growth. Daily brushing is good for him.

• Trim his nails once or twice a month. If you can hear the nails on the floor, they are too loud.
• Take care of Affenpinscher’s paws regularly and check the inside of his mouth and ears. Try to do the cleaning with encouragement and treats.
• You should check the wound, itching or signs of infection such as redness or inflammation on the skin, the ears, nose, mouth and eyes to make sure there’s no redness or discharge and the mouth doesn’t smell bad.

Compatibility with children and other pets

Affenpinscher doesn’t like aggressive behaviour such as hitting, unwanted pressure or hugging. So, they aren’t good choices for keeping at home with small children. To keep an Affenpinscher, you should teach children how to behave with them. Any interactions between dogs and young children should be supervised to prevent any biting or ear or tail pulling. Affenpinscher is usually compatible with dogs and cats in the family; Especially if he grew up with them since childhood. But like many other breeds, he protects his toy from other members.

Living place

This breed is suitable for keeping in the apartment. He’s lively indoors and doesn’t need a yard. In general, you should know that this breed can’t tolerate too much hot air due to his physical characteristics, i.e. his round face; Because he has breathing problems. Therefore, the best environment and conditions or habitat for him are places with moderate temperatures which this around 20 degrees If you live in a tropical region, you must have a suitable cooling system in your home so that your Affenpinscher doesn’t have any problems. Otherwise, if he’s exposed to extreme heat, he will face serious breathing problems.

Affenpinscher lifespan

It’s better to know that the lifespan of this breed is between 12 and 14 years. The lifespan of a dog is directly related to the way they are kept, its physical health and nutrition. Therefore, the more you take care of your pet and observe the ideal living conditions in terms of nutrition, physical activity and hygiene tips, the more likely he will live longer. But sometimes this breed of dog suffers from various diseases that if not prevented and treated on time, his conditions may become very serious to the point where he loses his life. 

To wrap up

Different types of dog breeds have been identified in the world, each of which has its appearance and characteristics. In any case, dogs are considered the most popular pets and have been known as one of the most useful animals since ancient times. The general behaviour of the Affenpinscher dog breed is the same as that of the terrier breed. This breed is suitable for busy families. To have a healthy and lively dog, you need to pay attention to nutrition, activity, health, grooming, etc. You can prevent the disease and have a healthy dog in this case. In all these steps, you can count on the specialized team of MishkaGrooming. Our experienced and precise groomers have carefully and accurately groomed your dogs, so they count the moments before the next session.