An Affenpinschers is a fun-loving bundle of energy that comes in a small, compact package. He's an independent thinker that loves to please but has a tendency to be a dominant presence. This can avoided with training classes and a commitment to good training at home.
Affenpinschers have even been successful in agility and obedience trials, and can easily learn these tasks through positive reinforcement and a steady training schedule.
While they may not be the best choice for families with small children, Affenpinschers make wonderful companion dogs for those that are willing to take the time to train them properly.
Affenpinschers enjoy a long history exceeding two hundred and fifty years. Starting out as working dogs that chased vermin from stables and granaries, they were eventually bred to achieve a smaller size, which would make them more suitable for living in homes in order to keep the vermin population down in the home. Soon, they became popular as pets in their own right and their working days were over. Popular with nobility, as well, early representations of Affenpinschers can be found in paintings created by artists such as Van Eyck and Durer.
Here are some more interesting facts about the Affenpinscher.
In French, the Affenpinscher is called the "Diablotin Moustachu" which means "mustached little devil." Many find the translation offers a good definition for these high-spirited, eager-to-please canines.
Translated directly from German, "Affenpinscher" literally means "monkey biter," or, more commonly translated as "monkey terrier."
While Affenpinschers look very much like terriers, they are actually a member of the pinscher-schnauzer breed group.
The Affenpinscher is affectionately called the "monkey dog" because of its monkey-like face, agile front paws and entertaining behavior.
The Affenpinscher is considered to be one of the oldest breeds of toy dogs.
Affenpinschers can trace their beginnings to a breeder in Lubeck, Germany in 1750.
Until 1896, Affenpinschers and Miniature Pinschers were grouped together as a single breed.
Affenpinschers were accepted into the American Kennel Club Stud Book in 1936.
Many people believe that the Affenpinscher played an instrumental role in the development of other small breeds, including the Brussels Griffon and the Mini Schnauzer.
Affenpinschers are still considered to be rare in the United States. On average, there are only about 200 puppies available each year within this country. Considering this, Affenpinschers are not quite as well known as other toy breeds in America.
With the right care and commitment, Affenpinschers can make wonderful pets, but they aren't for everyone. Make sure to carefully research the breed to see if these little firecrackers are right for you and your family. Although not always recommended for households with small children, Affenpinschers are considered wonderful as companion dogs for more mature owners.
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