Affenpinscher dog breeds: Characteristics, Size, Health, Price

The Affenpinscher dog breeds are affectionate and curious, always on the alert. Below are detailed information on the breed’s characteristics, image, health, breed, and price.

Affenpinschers have a very distinctive and appealing appearance. It is small, somewhat portable and doesn’t need to have a huge home.

They appear from the seventeenth century in Germany. Where it was bred to be a ratter—to kill rats, mice, and other small vermin.

Affenpinschers first met the breed standard with the Berlin Crossbreed Club in 1913. They were later recognized by the American Dog Breeds Club (AKC) in 1936 but unfortunately, it was of little interest due to the Second World War. Crossbreeding was revived in the 1950s but today the Monkey Terrier is still a rare breed.

Below are detailed information on the breed’s characteristics, image, health, breed, and price.

General Appearance

• History/Origin: Germany, France
• Type: Purebred
• Popularity Rank: Ranks 148 of 196
• Other Names: Affen, Affie, African Terrier, Monkey Dog, Monkey Terrier
• AKC Group: The Affenpinscher was admitted into the AKC Stud Book in 1936.
• Group: Companion Dogs, Toy Dog
• Reviews: 1
• User Ratings: There are not yet any reviews for this breed.
• FCI Group: Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Bichons.
• Breed Recognition: The Affenpinscher ranks 125th among the breeds and varieties recognized by the American Kennel Club.

Size & Appearance

• Size: Smallest
• Weight: An Affenpinscher generally weighs 6.5- 13.2 pounds (2.9 to 6.0 kg).
• Height: Stands 9 to 12 inches (23 to 30 cm) tall at the withers.
• Head: The head of the Monkey Terrier is slightly rounded dome .
• Tail Type: The tail is carried high and docked to two-thirds its length.
• Nose: Noseleather round, full, and black.
• Muzzle: Short and straight, not curved upwards.
• Ear Type: The hairy ears are customarily docked, set on high, carried evenly, turned forward, V-shaped, pointed and erect.
• Tongue: Tongue not showing when the mouth is closed.
• Teeth: 42 teeth
• Eyes Shape: The prominent, round eyes are black.
• Foot: The Affenpinscher has small round feet with black nails and paw pads.
• Wrinkles & Folds: Not available.

Hair & Care

• Coat: They are a coat that is rough and of uneven length over the body adding to their somewhat comical appearance.  About 1 inch in length on the shoulders and body. May be shorter on the rear and tail, head, neck, chest.
• Colors: Black, Tan, Grey, Silver, Belge, Red
• Grooming: Affenpinschers should be combed on a regular basis to keep the coat in good condition and removes excess hair from your dog’s coat and cuts down significantly on the amount of hair you have to deal with on your furniture, car. You’ll need to groom your dog at least twice a week throughout the year, and every day during his two heavy shedding periods in spring and fall. Combing with a medium or fine-toothed comb and then brushing with a nylon or bristle cushion hairbrush will remove loose hairs and keep the coat tidy and regular. A finer comb should be used on the face.
• Shedding Level: The Affenpinscher is considered the less shedding dog breeds. But their rough coat must be stripped to maintain its characteristic texture.

Characteristics

• Temperament: Stubborn, Curious, Playful, Active, Adventurous, Fun-loving
• Intelligent Rank: Affenpinscher Dogs score out of 5 in the scale of intelligent dog breeds.
• Trainability: African Terriers are intelligent dogs but they can be stubborn at times. Hence,  the breed has an undeserved reputation as being difficult to train.
• Playfulness: Monkey Dogs are playful, yet gentle with children, and they tend to get along well with other pets and strangers.
• Sensitivity Level: Both males and females are 9 to 11 inches tall and weigh between 7 and 9 pounds. Affenpinschers usually reach their full height by 6 to 8 months of age.
• Affection Level: They are curious, affectionate and playful and very loyal and very protective of other family members although they can be a bit territorial when it comes to their food or toys, so they are not recommended for families with too young children.
• Social Needs: Monkey Terriers need a lot of social interaction  and enjoy being around their owners and other animals. If they are shut off from contact or feel as if they are being ignored by their owners, they may start to show new behaviors and act out in a desire to get attention.
• Barking: The Affenpinscher does not bark much, making it the ideal dog for apartment life.
• Watchdog Ability: Affenpinscher make excellent guard dogs because of their loyalty, intelligence, sturdy, alert and obedience. With their family, they’re easy-going and approachable, but when threatened, they can be strong and protective, making them excellent watchdogs.
• Territorial: This breed may be territorial and may guard toys or food. Monkey Dogs can get territorial out of boredom.
• Biting Potential: All dogs have the chance to bite. When it comes to Affenpinschers, it seems that they have a stronger tendency to nip, especially when they’re very young. They have  a low chance of biting somebody.
• Mouthiness: Monkey Terriers have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people.
• Impulse to Wander or Roam: African Terriers tend to escape less than other breeds. So, they are apartment-friendly dogs.
• Prey Drive: Affenpinschers have an average prey drive, with a natural prey drive that results in them being excitable and playful and they don’t have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other.
• Apartment Friendly: Monkey Terrier can live in apartments if they are trained and socialized well. Just make sure that you have enough time to take him/her out and burn some energy.
• Adaptability: Affenpinschers are adaptable to any kind of lifestyle and living situation. From small houses to apartments they can be adapted.
• Tolerates Being Left Alone: Affen hates being left alone. They tend to have separation anxiety when their owners leave them.
• Fighting Dog: Affenpinscher breeds were originally created to act as ratters in homes, stables, and shops. They are not fighting dogs,
• Noisy: Affenpinschers not normally loud. Sometimes dogs will make noises when they are excited and it could be the reason why your Monkey Terrier has been doing it.
• Ferocious: They become fierce while protecting food, family and home.
• Swim: Unlike the other dog breeds, Affenpinschers  weren’t bred specifically for swimming. Sometimes there are a few dogs who like to swim, but this is a few.
• Running speed: Affenpinschers  can run about 15 miles per hour.
• Smelling ability: The African Terrier being a hound they have a strong sense of smell and can track cold scents.
• Jump: Affen jump because they love people,  but they prefer the company of adults. They want to interact with us and greet us, and they like to greet people face to face. Other reasons Monkey Terrier jump include: They have pent up physical and mental energy.
• Calm down: Affenpinschers will generally calm down a bit as they get older. It’s excitable and can take a while to calm down in the face of anything he views as a threat.

Good With

• Stranger Friendly: They are devoted to their owners, with little interest in strangers. You don’t have to worry about your Affenpinschers showing their aggression to a stranger with no intent to harm.
• Child Friendly: The Affenpinscher is generally not recommended for households with toddlers or young children – it is not a breed that naturally tends to like children.
• Cat Friendly: They have a tolerant, cat-friendly disposition.
• Dog Friendly: The Affenpinschers tolerates pets it grows up with and generally gets along well with other dogs and children.
• Office Friendly: Affie are not the best dog breed for the office environment.
• Senior Citizens Friendly: Affenpinschers are not recommended for elderly people.
• Pet Friendly: Affen usually get along well with other pets in the family.
• Good For First Time Owners: African Terriers are one of the best options for a first-time dog owner living in an apartment due to their easy-going personality.
• Therapy Dog: Its agility and playfulness make it a great therapeutic dog.
• Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog: Affenpinschers are not for use as detection dogs or sniffers.
• Search and Rescue Dog (SAR): African Terrier not for use as search and rescue dogs (SAR)
• Boat Dog: Affenpinscher breed usually doesn’t like being on a boat.
• Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog: Monkey Dogs are not suitable for Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog.
• Guide Dog: African Terriers are not a good choice as a guide dog.

Health Factors

• Health Issues: The Affenpinschers is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
• Health Problems: Affenpinschers have some health conditions that can be a concern: Luxating patellas, eye diseases, hip dysplasia, gastric torsion, hypothyroidism and Legg-Calve-Perthes disease.
• Life Expectancy/Life Span: 12 to 14 years
• Hypoallergenic: They are a breed that little sheds and are a suitable match for people with bad allergies.
• Energy Level: Medium Energy level
• Exercise Need: The Affenpinscher has average exercise needs and requires a minimum of 30 minutes of exercise and activities daily. They are an active breed so they can walk for longer and have more playtime if you wish.
• Sleeping Need: It is natural for an Affenpinscher to sleep for 6-10 hours per day. If your Monkey Terrier is a puppy or it is old then it will likely sleep for even longer.
• Avg. daily food consumption: 1/4 to 1/2 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
• Weight Gain Potential: Affenpinschers are susceptible to weight gain. The excess weight would put stress on their joints, and Monkey Dogs are likely to suffer from orthopedic diseases, lung disorders, osteoarthritis, diabetes, hypothyroidism, lameness and oral disease, among others.
• Weather & Climate: Affenpinschers have a very rough coat and small muzzle, so they tend to overheat easily if they spend too much time in hot weather. Clipping their coat can help them cool but it is also important to keep them hydrated at all times and avoid activities in the Sun.
• Stinkiness: Stinkiness
• Drooling tendency: Monkey Terrier very low drooling tendency. Affenpinscher tends to drool excessively when it’s about to get food or when it sees food then it is most likely because its mouth is watering since it’s expecting to be eating soon. 
• They like to cuddle: The Affenpinscher likes to cuddle. They are a perfect breed of dogs for those looking to have a faithful furry companion who loves nothing more than spending time with them.

Reproducibility

• Gestation Length: Affenpinscher becomes approximately 63 days pregnant, although this may vary a few days.
• How often can the Affenpinscher  have a litter? Monkey Terriers can only lay one litter per year to keep puppies healthy.
• Litter Size: 2–3 puppies

Price and cost of farming

• Price: An Affenpinscher puppy will cost between $300 – $2000 from a decent breeder for a pet quality dog. 
• Cost of farming: First-year expenses are around $1,800 and will be about $1000/year  after that. Through the dog’s lifetime, the average cost of owning an Airedale Terrier is $12,000.