Breeds / Toy
Affenpinscher puppies
Alert, curious and loyal, the Affenpinscher is a small terrier type toy dog with a shaggy coat and a short muzzle. Like other shorter faced breeds they can struggle to cool themselves by panting in hot weather.
The facts
- Size class Toy
- Country of origin Germany
- Adult weight 3.2 to 4.5 kg
- Adult weight in pounds 7 to 10 lb
- Adult height 23 to 29 cm
- Energy level Moderate
- Grooming Moderate
- Coat type Short to medium wiry
- Shedding Moderate
- Typical lifespan 12 to 15 years
- Good with children Fine with supervision
- Good with other dogs Fine with supervision
About the Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher was bred in Germany as a ratter, earning their keep in kitchens, stables and shops before the breed was shrunk down into a companion. The name points at the monkeyish face: a short muzzle, a domed skull and a shaggy wiry coat that stands away from the body. They weigh 3.2 to 4.5 kilograms and stand 23 to 29 centimetres at the shoulder. In character they are a terrier in miniature, bold, busy and opinionated, and they tend to attach themselves hard to one or two people.
Exercise needs are modest. Indoor play plus a brisk walk once or twice a day covers it, and those walks matter as much for socialisation as for fitness. The wiry coat wants brushing twice a week, first with a brush and then a metal comb, with a trim every few months. With children they rate three out of five, so supervise and socialise rather than assume tolerance. Watch out for heat in particular: the short muzzle makes panting less effective, so keep an Affen cool.
What to expect at eight weeks
At eight weeks a Affenpinscher puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A toy breed puppy at eight weeks is small enough to be genuinely fragile. They can be hurt by a jump off a sofa and by being stepped on, and toy breeds are prone to low blood sugar, so they need frequent small meals rather than two big ones. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.
Health worth knowing about
Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.
- Patellar luxation, graded by a veterinary orthopaedic exam
- Hip dysplasia, screened by a hip evaluation of breeding stock
- Heart anomalies, found on a veterinary cardiac exam
- Inherited eye disease, screened by an ophthalmologist evaluation
- Breathing difficulty in hot weather, a consequence of the short muzzle
Your Affenpinscher puppy's first six months
- Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
- Worming and parasite schedule.
- Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Toy for a Affenpinscher.
- Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 3.2 to 4.5 kg adult range.
- Puppy names and the first week checklist.
Kit sizes: crate 22 inch (22 x 14 x 16 in, 56 x 36 x 41 cm) for an adult of up to 4.5 kg; chew toys made for small breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.
Buying guides for this
Other toy breeds
More on the Affenpinscher
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- Health notes from Affenpinscher breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/affenpinscher/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.
Photo: Futurebreak, CC0 1.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.