Affenpinscher Breed Information
 Image by Ida Damkilde from Pixabay |
Watch Dogs- An Affenpinscher makes a great watch dog. You can trust this breed to warn you to every new sound including knocks on the door and strange noises outside.Size- A typical dog of this breed will be about 11" high at the shoulders and weigh around 7-8 pounds. Doesn't matter where you live... Be it a condo in florida, a large house in the suburbs, or a large farm in rural Ohio, an Affenpinscher (like most small dogs) can manage to get the exercise they need in just about any type of dwelling.
People Friendly- Absoultely! As long as you don't keep him hidden from the world or locked in a small cage with no socialization, he'll be the warm greeter on the welcome mat to everyone he knows. Supervise all children around your dog, for the sake of both child and canine. Trainability- Affenpinschers are relatively quick learners, but do yourself a favor if you plan to own any breed of dog. Learn some positive training techniques if you want to train the "sit" or "stay" command, or train him to use the potty outside, etc.
Non-Shedding-"Non-shedding" doesn't always mean that your dog will never lose the occasional hair and it certainly doesn't automatically translate to mean hypoallergenic. An affenpinscher would make a great dog for any lady or gentleman who doesn't fancy vacuuming and constantly sweeping up dog hair, but you may still find the occasional loose black hairs on your furniture, etc.
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High Energy- Affens have a propensity for climbing and digging and are very terrier like (despite being part of the pinscher/schnauzer family of breeds) in spirit and personality. This is a quality that many Affie owners find endearing, but if your prefer a laid back breed, this is probably not the dog for you.
Separation anxiety is common- He will often show frustration by destructive chewing and barking or by having "accidents" on your furniture.
Behavioral Issues- This breed is well-known to be stubborn. Whether you're trying to housebreak him or discourage undesirable behaviors, like excessive barking or digging, you could very well have your hands full with training, etc.
Maintenance Needs-Regular grooming or brushing is necessary to keep this dog's coat from becoming matted. Regular attention should also be given to nails, teeth, ears and pads.
Housebreaking difficulties- Toy breeds are among the hardest dogs to housebreak. You'll need to be very patient with your Affenpinscher. Small dogs come with small bladders. We highly recommend these positive training techniques.
Fragility- Toy breeds are fragile. They are prone to broken bones caused by falling, mishandling, etc. A larger dog can quickly kill a small dog like an Affen with one quick shake. It's never a good idea to walk this high spirited dog without a leash.
-Potential Health Issues-
Patellar Luxation is a joint condition in which kneecaps pop in and out of place. This is a common complication among many small breed dogs.
Hip Dysplasia is a developmental subluxation of the hip joints which can eventually lead to arthritis and/or lameness. It's causes are genetic as well as environmental. A secondary concern of this affliction is osteoarthritis. According the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, nearly 14% of Affenpinschers are currently affected.
The use of pet steps has been shown to significantly reduce the wear and tear on joints.
Eye Conditions- Affens are prone to early the onset of cataracts as well as corneal ulcers. Eye infections are not uncommon.
Short Muzzled- This breed is short muzzled. Breathing difficulties due to very hot or humid conditions could result in death.
Here are some Affenpinscher Pictures to help brighten up your day!
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We hope you've found this page helpful in your search for your next best friend. If you haven't done so yet, we urge you to read our FAQ page to learn how to find a reputable breeder... and why should NEVER buy a puppy from a pet store.