Affenpinschers

Named for their monkey-like expression, Affenpinschers are small dogs with big personalities. They come from Germany and were first seen in the 1600's, making them one of the oldest toy breeds. They weigh less than ten pounds and usually stand less than a foot tall at their shoulder blades. Their coats are rough, wiry and black, forming a mane around their face. Affenpinschers are known to be very curious dogs, and quite intelligent. However, they can be territorial towards their possessions and are not good dogs for people who have young children. One of the many positive features of Affenpinschers is that they hardly shed at all, making them a very clean inside dog.

Affenpinschers require grooming and maintenance because of their long coat. They should be brushed at least three times a week thoroughly, removing all knots. Give baths, trim nails and brush teeth as needed. Like any dog, Affenpinschers require daily exercise, which can be in the form of a walk or playing outside in a yard. Affenpinschers are not suitable outside dogs because of their small size and fragile nature. They do best inside with the company of their owners, because they thrive off social interaction.

You should begin house breaking an Affenpinscher as soon as you get it, because house breaking an Affenpinscher is often difficult. Starting with puppy makes things easier, and you just have to remember to be patient and consistent. In addition to house breaking problems, one of the only other complaints about Affenpinschers is that they are very vocal dogs and they like to bark at just about everything.

Affenpinschers are small dogs, and obesity can be particularly hard on them. You need to monitor their fat intake closely and make sure you choose a dog food with a low fat content. A moderate protein intake will suffice. When selecting a dog food, carefully read the label and avoid ingredients such as beef tallow, BHA, BHT, cane mallases, and Ethoxyquin. Anything labeled as a by product or preservative in the ingredients is unnecessary and non-nutritious. Tocopherols are the only preservatives that can actually be beneficial because they’re made of vitamin E. Try to find an all natural dog food, with specific meats such as lamb or chicken listed.

Many veterinarians would suggest that you make your own food if you can. Affenpinschers need to consume two, ½ cup servings of protein (chicken, turkey, etc.) and one, ½ cup servings of veggies (carrots, broccoli, peas, celery, spinach, ) and one, ½ cup servings of starch (potatoes, oatmeal). If you use commercial food, give your Affenpinscher a cup of food twice a day. Don’t leave a bowl full of food out all the time- this encourages unnecessary eating. Supplementing your Affenpinscher’s diet with vitamins will also help maintain health.

Like many small dogs, Affenpinschers frequently get a disorder called collapsed trachea. This is caused by the weakening of cartilage rings surrounding the trachea. If you notice your Affenpinscher making a distressed coughing sound and being reluctant to exercise, these can be symptoms of a collapsed trachea and you need to see veterinary help. You can help prevent trachea collapse by walking your dog with a body harness, not a collar. Affenpinschers are also prone to hip dysplasia, a disorder that can cause crippling and joint pain as a dog ages. If you notice your Affenpinscher acting stiff, or having difficulties standing up after laying down, you may need to contact your veterinarian for an examine to check for hip dysplasia. Treatment is available for the disorder in both surgical and non-surgical ways.