Affenpinscher / Monkey dog

Breed history:

This breed was known in Europe since the 18th century and it was used to exterminate rodents, and later on became a companion dog. The name comes from the German word Affe which means monkey.

Description:

It is a small-sized, well proportioned dog, with a square aspect. It has a wide head with a long beard, whiskers and eyebrows. The eyes are round, prominent and dark. The ears are natural kept drooping but they can be cropped to stay erect. The tail is long and bent towards the back but it can be kept high and docked to two-thirds its length. The coat is bushy, wiry and longer on the chest than on the back. The Affenpinscher’s coat is usually black but it can also be silver, red, dark-gray and fawn. It can have a white spot on the chest.

Personality:

The Affenpinscher is curious, adventurous, joyful, brave, stubborn and sometimes impish. It is usually quiet but can become noisy if it is challenged. It is devoted to its master, gets along well with children and other dogs or animals from the household.

Grooming:

The coat needs to be brushed regularly and attention is needed to avoid getting the dog’s hair in its eyes and irritating them.

Living conditions:

This breed is made for apartment life. However, it still requires daily walks even though the dog has a moderate level of activity. Being sometimes a little stubborn, it is recommended for the master to be rather firm . It needs training and socializing.

Training:

The training must be consistent and varied. It learns commands pretty easily. It loves to play with people.

Usefulness:

It was created to catch pests (mice, rats). Today it is a good watchdog and a pleasant companion