# Affenpinscher Also known as: Monkey Terrier, Zwergaffenpinscher - **Group:** Mastiff & Mountain (FCI group 2) - **Size:** Small - **Origin:** Germany - **Height:** 25โ€“30 cm - **Weight:** 4โ€“6 kg - **Life expectancy:** 12โ€“14 years - **Temperament:** Confident, Curious, Playful, Loyal, Mischievous A tiny, shaggy German companion with a famously monkey-like face. Once a stable ratter, the Affenpinscher is bold, funny and devoted, with a big personality in a small body. ## Overview The Affenpinscher is a small German toy breed of the Pinscher family, named for its monkey-like expression. Despite a terrier-ish look, it belongs with the pinschers and schnauzers. Once a working ratter in stables and farms, it is now mostly a lively, entertaining companion. It remains a rare breed with only a handful of litters registered each year in Germany. ## History The Affenpinscher comes from the old Pinscher type of dogs kept in German stables and on farms and carriages to keep rats and mice in check. Rough-coated and smooth-coated dogs once shared the same lineage and could appear in one litter. By the late nineteenth century the little rough-coated dogs were being described as a variety of their own, and a breed society was formed in 1895. The American Kennel Club recognised the breed in 1936 and the FCI accepted it in 1955. Numbers have always stayed small. ## Appearance A sturdy little dog standing about 25 to 30 cm tall and weighing 4 to 6 kg. The face is its signature: a short muzzle, round dark eyes and bristly eyebrows and beard give a comical, almost human expression. The coat is harsh and wiry, shaggier around the head and shoulders to form a mane, and shorter over the back and hindquarters. The FCI standard asks for black, while some clubs also accept grey, silver, red, black and tan, and beige. ## Temperament Affenpinschers are bold, curious and full of character. They are loyal to their family and can be very affectionate, but they often act as if they were much larger than they are, and may stand up to bigger dogs. They are clever and a little stubborn, so short, upbeat and consistent training works best. They suit adults and older children who respect their size better than rough toddlers. ## Care and exercise This is a low-space, moderate-exercise breed. A couple of short walks and some play indoors will keep it content, and it adapts well to apartment life. The wiry coat needs brushing a few times a week and occasional hand-stripping or tidy clipping to keep its texture and shape. Check the beard and eye area regularly and keep teeth clean, as small breeds are prone to dental problems. ## Health A UK study found an average lifespan of about 9.3 years. Concerns include luxating patella, possible hip dysplasia, a hereditary tendency to cataracts, syringomyelia linked to Chiari malformation, and seasonal flank alopecia. Breeders can test for some of these. ## Ratings (1 to 5) - Energy: 3 - Exercise needs: 2 - Grooming: 3 - Shedding: 1 - Trainability: 3 - Barking: 3 - Good with children: 2 - Good with other dogs: 2 Page: https://techtools.cz/tools/dog-atlas/affenpinscher Sources: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Affenpinscher ยท https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q7254 Photo: Futurebreak (CC0), https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Affenpinscher_breed.jpg Profile written by an AI model from the sources above.