Affenpinschers: description, choice, care

In addition to fairly young dog breeds, which today are kept by humans as pets, animals with a centuries-old history are no less popular among breeders. Affenpinschers should be attributed to the outstanding representatives of such four-legged comrades. Dogs are notable for their conformational qualities, as well as unique character traits.

The calling card of animals of this breed is their appearance. Dogs are small pets with a muzzle similar to a disheveled monkey. The exotic exterior is complemented by an active disposition, and in some cases even a harmful character, which is highlighted as the bad side of Affenpinschers. However, even with such features, the animal is able to win the love of the breeder, in addition, the four-legged friend stands out for excellent performance.

"Monkey Pinscher" was bred in Germany, the main purpose of this breed of dogs at that time was to hunt rodents. German farmers very often had animals in order to fight rats and mice, which destroyed food and grain supplies.

In the Affenpinscher family, there were several different dwarf dog breeds, which passed on to their descendants an excellent reaction and dexterity. Mentions of such unusual in appearance animals can be found on canvases dating back to the 15th century. Later, dogs began to be used not only as hunters for rodents, but also as guardians of territories.

In 1902, the standards for Affenpinschers were approved, and in 1936 the dog was already included in the breeding lists. The formation and increase in the number of such dogs was negatively influenced by the Second World War, however, thanks to the efforts of breeders, the ape-like dog became in demand all over the world as a reliable guard and pet.

Today, a purebred Affenpinscher must meet the following exterior standards.

• The animal must be small, and he has a very pronounced sexual dimorphism. Therefore, bitches in height will be 3-4 centimeters less than males, their height at the withers reaches 25 centimeters with an adult dog weighing about 4 kilograms. The weight of an adult male can vary between 4.5-6 kilograms, the height is considered acceptable within the range of 25-28 centimeters.
• Head the animal has a domed shape, with a pronounced frontal bone. The nose is straight, shortened, with an oval lobe, the nostrils are wide. The lips are pigmented, therefore, together with the nose, they will be painted in a dark color. The lower jaw protrudes forward. The teeth should be white and strong, with the canines pronounced, but the size is slightly larger than average.
• Eyes rounded, large. Hidden under a dense coat of wool, the iris can be black or brown. Ears are erect, well spaced apart. The neck is small, but well-muscled.
• Torso in dogs it resembles a square, animals are distinguished by a strong body, however, outwardly they will be rather compact. The back is without bends, the sternum is wide, the belly is tucked up. The tail will resemble a sickle.
• Paws Erect, muscled, forelegs slightly shorter than hindquarters.
• Wool rather tough, the cover fits snugly to the body, there is a kind of disorder on the head, since there the wool always sticks out more than on other parts of the body. There are bushy eyebrows on the face, as well as sideburns and a goatee. Such external features led to the presence in some descriptions of the breed of comparisons with the monkey or decorative breed of Griffon dogs. The color of purebred Affenpinschers is black, however, the dog may have a slight tan of a gray or red-red hue.

Pets of this breed have an average life expectancy: as a rule, with good care, animals can live about 15 years. Affenpinschers are renowned for their health, however, they can suffer from certain genetic diseases. Joints are most commonly affected in animals, so pets may be born with Legg-Perthes disease. In this case, the puppy is indicated for surgical intervention. The knee joint is also at risk. In some cases, animals develop arthritis, and heart murmurs can also be detected.

Like any breed, the Affenpinscher has strengths and weaknesses. The advantages of dogs include the following characteristics:

• pets stand out for their dedication to their breeder;
• dogs are unpretentious in terms of content;
• the animal can be kept in a private house and in an apartment;
• lends itself well to training;
• Affenpinschers are characterized by courage shown in critical situations;
• the breed has a rather funny exterior, so the animals quickly become favorites in the family.

However, breeders also highlight the inherent weaknesses of animals:

• pets sometimes show a stubborn disposition, they also try to become leaders in the family;
• in case of danger, the dogs immediately begin to bark, which may be associated with problems when keeping it in an apartment building;
• breeders often have to cut their adult Affenpinscher hair.

In the process of getting to know the outside world, animals of this breed demonstrate an inquisitive disposition, as well as a positive and playful attitude towards humans and other pets. Affenpinschers love to be in the center of everyone's attention, but at the same time they willingly make contact with young children, sharing with them not only leisure, but also rest.

In the process of keeping four-legged pets, it is necessary to avoid neglecting them. Affenpinschers are quite wary of making contact with strangers. Breeders note that dogs can get along with other pets in the house, be it a dog or even a cat. However, excessive activity and desire to lead can provoke regular quarrels and fights.

Pets will be active and playful right up to old age, and during walks the animals demonstrate good endurance, therefore, accompanied by such dogs, you can ride a bicycle, rollerblades, etc. The dog is very curious, therefore it requires compulsory training; it is also recommended to walk animals only on a leash, allowing free walking only in a fenced area.

Without toys in the house, Affenpinscher is guaranteed to get bored, which can negatively affect the condition of the furniture in the apartment. Due to their cute appearance, pets skillfully rub themselves into the trust of family members, subsequently skillfully using this. However, if you let go of the real guilt of the dog in a particular situation, then it will be extremely difficult to achieve obedience from the pet in the future.

Affenpinscher puppy with good pedigree can only be offered in specialized kennels, as the breed is considered rare. This feature also determines the high cost of German dogs. When contacting breeders it is necessary it is imperative to study the pedigree of the animal, familiarize yourself with the documents that the parents of the puppy must have.

In addition, it will be useful to observe the behavior of the puppy himself. A healthy dog ​​should be active and well-nourished, good animals will have a beautiful coat. All the characteristic qualities of Affenpinschers, such as curiosity and courage, are inherent in even a small dog, so how it behaves when choosing will play an important role. The optimal age for a puppy to buy will be 1.5-2 months.

The breed is intended for breeding in a private house, as well as in an apartment, however, any option for keeping the breeder will require regular walks with the animal in the fresh air from the breeder. In addition, the owners of such a pet note that the dog does not tolerate loneliness very well, so you should not leave the Affenpinscher alone for a long time.

The breed is considered omnivorous, so the breeder does not need to purchase expensive specialized feed. In addition, the pet, due to its activity, will always have a good appetite. The breeder should control the portions of food, as the dog has a predisposition to obesity.

The following products will be prohibited for the introduction of Affenpinschers into the diet:

• confectionery;
• pickles;
• smoked and fried foods;
• spices;
• potato.

The following foods should be present on the dog's menu:

• lean meats - beef, veal, rabbit, chicken;
• vegetables;
• porridge;
• dairy and fermented milk products - kefir, cottage cheese;
• boiled chicken eggs.

As a preventive measure, it is recommended that the animal be given a teaspoon of vegetable oil once a week to avoid digestive problems.

In addition to natural food, the diet for Affenpinschers can consist of commercially produced dry food. An adult dog will need 150-200 grams of food per meal per day, provided that it is fed twice a day.

It is recommended to purchase premium products, which will not contain preservatives and dyes. There are special foods on sale designed for active breeds of dogs, such an option for replenishing vitamins in the body, as well as in terms of energy value, will be ideal.

Caring for a dog of this breed can be attributed to the middle class in terms of the degree of difficulty. In some pets, breeders dock their ears and tail at an early age. However, such activities are optional. Recommended trim the dog regularly, in this way it will be possible to make the coat softer. A hygienic haircut involves the regular shortening of hair in the genital area. The pet should be brushed every 7-10 days to avoid tangling. A brush and slicker will be a suitable option for these procedures.

Breeders, in order to improve the quality of Affenpinscher wool, conduct trimming, thanks to which it turns out to remove already dead hairs, due to which there is a faster process of hair renewal in the dog.

Water treatments should not be frequent, so they bathe the dog in case of emergency. But Affenpinscher's face should be washed daily., especially after meals.

The teeth, ears and claws of the animal need care... Eyes should be wiped with a damp cotton pad regularly, and teeth should be cleaned with a toothbrush and toothpaste designed for dogs. You can clean your pet's ears once a week using cotton pads and swabs.

Usually the claws are trimmed once a month, however, in most cases, the renewal of the claws in Affenpinschers occurs independently, but provided that the pet spends a lot of time outside the home.

Despite their small size, dogs of this breed have innate endurance, but they are not devoid of stubbornness in character. That is why puppies after purchase need compulsory socialization and training. Training should be carried out according to the "carrot and stick" method, because with the loyalty of the owner, animals can quickly feel like leaders.

Affenpinschers stand out well-developed intellect, so they can perform not only prohibiting and permissive commands, but also some tricks. Inexperienced breeders are advised to seek the help of dog training specialists. Affens must be trained constantly, regularly consolidating the results obtained. Training, which will be carried out from time to time, will not give results.

For a description of the breed and reviews of the owners, see the following video.