Affenpinscher

The Affenpinscher is loving and affectionate, but only towards their family. They’re likely to be lively, confident and cuddly in the home and with people they trust. However, their terrier streak makes them sassy and bold when they want to be, which is especially prominent around strangers.

This lively little dog is playful and often mischievous in a comical sense. They’re happy monkeying around, getting involved in family games and playing with their toys.

Although they don’t need as much exercise as many other dog breeds, they are quite smart and need mental stimulation to keep them occupied - plenty of play time will keep them happy!

The Affenpinscher is a terrier at heart - so they can be pretty sassy when it suits them. Although they’re generally friendly and adaptable, they can be rather snappy and stubborn when it comes to strangers, other animals and being protective over their food and toys. The Affenpinscher is often called ‘a big dog in a small dog’s body’ - they’ll take on anything!

There’s a lot of brain in this tiny pup’s little body! The Affenpinscher is extremely observant, smart and vigilant which is why they’re so protective over their human family. They need a lot of mental stimulation to keep their brains occupied.

We all know how feisty terriers can be - and with terrier in their blood, Affenpinschers are no exception! Having originally been bred to hunt vermin and small animals, it’s likely that an Affenpinscher will chase cats or rodents should they come across them.

The Affenpinscher has a tendency to be rather suspicious, territorial and wary of new people. Bringing lots of people into the home and into the dog’s space as a puppy and throughout their life can make a huge difference. Make socialisation a priority for this breed.

This breed is independent and soft at the same time - yes, really! The Affenpinscher will happily cuddle up with its owner but also has a fearless, stubborn and independent side which may rear its head during training sessions or around new people.

Affenpinschers get extremely close to their owners and families. Though this is lovely, they struggle to be left on their own for long periods of time. Instead of relaxing, they’re likely to stare out the window until you return. They are also known to become destructive if they become bored whilst left at home alone.

The Affenpinscher isn’t the easiest dog to train, but at the same time, it’s definitely not the worst! This is a very intelligent and stubborn breed who’ll easily become bored during training sessions. However, they do pick things up quite quickly - so if you’re consistent and make sessions short, fun, reward-based and interesting, training should be straightforward.

Generally, the Affenpinscher is a ‘yappy’ dog who barks at anything and everything. With careful training, you can teach them to stop barking when you instruct them to.

The Affenpinscher can be let off the lead in a safe, secure area. They are rather curious dogs and may wander off if given the chance - so keep a close eye on them at all times.

If this breed is allowed to get away with bad behaviour, they’ll certainly do it - making puppy obedience training even more important! The Affenpinscher has a natural desire to hunt, chew and dig, especially if they feel bored. Getting this energy out through daily exercise and toys should prevent this from happening.

The older an Affenpinscher gets, the greedier they become! You’ll need to keep a close eye on a fully-grown Affenpinscher’s weight and control their portion sizes accordingly.

Despite their small size, the Affenpinscher is feisty, territorial and fearless. Unless they’re particularly calm and sociable, they make excellent watchdogs and will bark excessively at anyone unfamiliar in an attempt to protect their pack.

This breed is perfect for apartment or flat living as they generally need less exercise than other breeds. Though they can live without it, they’ll still appreciate a fenced off garden or outside area. They are barkers, which could cause problems with the neighbours.

In terms of exercise, the Affenpinscher is low maintenance. However, all dogs have energy to burn. You still need to be willing to get out and about with this breed, especially if you live in a flat. The Affenpinscher will enjoy multiple short, brisk walks per day paired with plenty of playtime in the house or garden.

This breed is probably one of the best out there when it comes to travelling! Their small size combined with their natural curiosity and bravery make them fantastic travel companions when trained and socialised well.

This breed is likely to get on with cats if they’ve been raised together - so if you’re a cat and dog person, start when your Affenpinscher is a puppy! Otherwise, they may struggle to settle with a kitty and may chase.

Providing they’ve been well socialized from a young age, the Affenpinscher will have no problem getting along with other dogs.

Families with young children shouldn’t adopt an Affenpinscher. They have a short temper and won’t tolerate being hit, squeezed or hugged if they’re not in the mood, and may growl or snap at children. It’s still important to socialise this breed with children, though - but make sure you keep a very close eye on them.

With their low exercise needs, protective and territorial instincts and their constant need to be around people, the Affenpinscher is an ideal companion dog for the elderly.

Ideally, the Affenpinscher requires an experienced owner who knows how to train dogs. Inexperienced owners may struggle to get an Affenpinscher under control - and they can easily become a little bit of a nightmare! If you’re new to dogs but think this breed is the perfect match, we’d recommend heading to obedience and socialization classes with your pooch.