Affenpinscher Dog Breeds
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Affenpinschers are known to be real clowns with a bit of a mischievous side to their natures that adds to their overall appeal. With this said, for such small dogs they are extremely courageous which in short means there is a very large personality in a rather small body. With this said, they are the perfect lapdog and one that boasts being extraordinarily smart. It is said that Affens love two things in life, the first being given as much attention as possible and the second being their food.
They are intelligent, confident little dogs that boast all the usual “terrier” traits with an added cachet of self-importance. They are also known to be fearless which means they can get themselves into some difficult and dangerous situations by taking on much larger dogs. They are also known to be very wary of people they do not already know which is why it’s essential for Affens to be well socialised from a young age to curb any sort of fiery and often quite aggressive behaviour towards strangers.
The Affenpinscher is also known to be quite “yappy”, another behaviour that needs to be nipped in the bud when they are still puppies or it could lead excessive barking which can be a real issue for people who live in apartments. They do not like being left on their own for extended periods of time preferring human company because these little dogs can suffer from separation anxiety especially if they are not given enough exercise or mental stimulation on a daily basis. Rather than curl up in a cosy spot, an Affen will stand at the door or window waiting for an owner to return home.
Are they a good choice for first time owners?
Affenpinschers are a good choice for first time dog owners because they are so amenable and people-oriented, loving nothing more than to please and to entertain their owners whether they are in a family environment or kept as companions.
What about prey drive?
Affenpinschers have a high prey drive and love nothing more than to give chase to anything that tries to run away. As such, care should be taken as to where and when an Affen can run off the lead more especially when there is wildlife and livestock close by.
What about playfulness?
Affens are known to have a very playful and fun-loving side to their natures and thrive on being entertained and entertaining their owners. They are known to be a little mischievous when the mood takes them and being so clever, an Affen quickly learns how to get their own way when they want something.
What about adaptability?
Affenpinschers are highly adaptable dogs and providing they are given enough daily physical exercise combined with as much mental stimulation to prevent boredom from setting in, they are just as happy living in an apartment in town as they are living in a house in the country.
What about separation anxiety?
Affens form strong ties with their families and dogs are never very happy when they find themselves left on their own for longer periods of time. They are better suited to people who either work from home or in households where one person stays at home when everyone else is out so they are never alone for any length of time which could see a dog suffering from separation anxiety. This can lead to them being destructive around the home which is a dog’s way of relieving any stress they are feeling and a way to keep themselves entertained which includes barking incessantly to get attention and to show how unhappy they are at the situation.
What about excessive barking?
Affens are known to like the sound of their own voices a little too much which is something that needs to be gently nipped in the bud when a dog is still young being careful not to frighten them which could end up making them timid and shy.
Do Affenpinschers like water?
Care should always be taken when an Affenpinscher goes swimming because of their flat faces and the fact that some dogs have difficulty breathing. With this said, a lot of Affenpinschers enjoy taking a dip in the water, but anyone who shares a home with a dog that does not should never force them to go in because it would end up scaring them. With this said, care should also be taken when walking an Affen off the lead anywhere near more dangerous watercourses just in case a dog decides to leap in or they fall in and then need rescuing because they cannot get out of the water on their own.
Are Affenpinschers good watchdogs?
Affens may be small in stature, but they are always on the alert and therefore quick to let an owner know when they are strangers about or when something they don’t like is going on in their environment. However, thanks to their small size, they are not very good guard dogs and rarely would a well socialised Affen show any sort of aggressive behaviour when someone they don’t know comes to the door, preferring to keep their distance and bark.