The Affenpinscher, whose name translated from German means “monkey-like terrier”, is one of the most ancient of all toy breeds. Also known as the Monkey Pinscher, the Monkey Dog, the Monkey Terrier, the Black-Mustached Devil or simply the Affen, this is a lively, sturdy little dog whose intelligence, disposition and size make it a wonderful house dog and companion. The Affenpinscher has a neat but shaggy appearance with an endearing facial expression accentuated by a flat face, a prominent chin, bushy eyebrows, a mustache and a beard. The Affenpinscher is known for being courageous, reliable and inquisitive. Legend has it that one Affen faced up to an angry stallion, and another confronted a grown grizzly bear on a trip with its owner to the Alaskan wilderness. The Affenpinscher was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936, as a member of the Toy Group.
Affenpinschers were developed in Germany, where in the 16th and 17th centuries they were used to control the rodent population in kitchens, granaries, shops and stables. Over time, they were bred down in size and became equally welcomed as household companions, while still keeping mice and rats at bay. The ancestry of the Affenpinscher is not well-documented. Many fanciers speculate that German Pinschers were mated with imported Asian breeds to create the flat-faced Affen.
Affenpinschers are tiny, but they have large personalities. They take themselves very seriously, and require everyone else to take them seriously as well, resulting in humorous interactions with people. Their terrier blood makes them spunky and sassy, and many owners wonder if these tiny toy dogs know just how small they really are. Mostly seen as “purse dogs” by ladies around the world, the Affen is a lovely travel companion, easy-going and accepting of new
The AKC calls the Affenpinscher's appearance, “shaggy but neat.” Affenpinschers have a thick, rough coat that is about one inch think on the body, and becomes shorter toward the hindquarters and longer toward the head, creating a mane around the face. Their coats come in several colors ranging from beige to black. The unique facial structure of the Affen, complete with a tiny mustache has earned this breed its “Monkey Dog” nickname. They often have
The saying goes, “a picture is worth a thousand words”. Check out the many different Affenpinscher Pictures and Affenpinscher images. Get an in depth look at the Affenpinscher and see the many things that this breed has to offer.