Affenpinscher – The Monkey Dog

The Affenpinscher is a small 7 to 8 pound dog that usually does not exceed around 10 inches in height. The Affenpinscher has bushy eyebrows and shaggy hair and most often is considered to look somewhat like a monkey. Although this certainly is a dog, you might consider that sometimes it is a monkey by the way that it acts.

Affenpinschers look like terriers but they’re actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup. The common color of an Affenpinscher is black, although the AKC will allow them to be other colors such as gray, silver, and a combination of black and tan but Black is always preferred.

They are very playful and lively. They get along, generally speaking, with other dogs and pets but they can become excitable around small children so they’re not necessarily recommended as a family pet where small children are around. They often can be territorial when it comes to their food so you might want to take this into consideration as well. That being said Affenpinschers certainly can be a fun pet to own and can provide hours of entertainment.

The breed can date itself back to the 17th century and has European origins. In fact its name is a combination between the German word for monkey and terrier. Originally the breed was a little bit larger than it is now standing about 12 to 13 inches in height, but it had similar colors. Its original purpose was as a ratter, working very hard to to remove rodents from places such as kitchens and stables.

All in all, the Affenpinscher can make a fun and loving pet that can provide hours of fun while it plays and puts on a show for it’s owners. A faithful and loyal breed, the Affenpinscher is a pet to look into having for your family.

Ever wonder what your dog is thinking? Visit our Dog Blog or our Dog website and Forum to find out. You can also visit our Affenpinscher page in the dog breeds section of our website.