Affenpinscher – The Ewok Dog

Looking for a small dog with a bit of character who just happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to one of the Star Wars franchises cutest characters? Then here's one for your shortlist. Originally from Germany but now found throughout Europe and popular in North America,  the Affenpinscher or Monkey dog as it is also known due to it's impish, almost ape-like features. In France, it is also known as "Diablotin Moustachu" (moustachioed little devil) which pretty much sums up its somewhat stubborn and belligerent nature.

The Kennel Club records them as being called ‘the little black devil dog of Germany’ -  pretty apt. This is not a dog for a household full of children (in fact it would be safe to say they are not child friendly, and they can be a bit snappy with strangers. However, they are well suited to urban living and can thrive in a flat - provided they get a regular walk so if you like a bit of a challenge then this is a rewarding dog to own as you will see when you read on.

Image: Sbolotova/Shutterstock.com

Quick Overview

Name:                                  Affenpinscher (Monkey Terrier)

Size:                                      Toy Breed, 9-11 inches (23 - 28 cm) tall fully grown

Weight:                                6-13 lbs (2.7 - 6 kg)

Grooming:                          Wire Haired so relatively hypoallergenic but will still shed on occasions.

Training:                             Simple to teach an Affenpinscher to chase, hard to teach them not to chase! They were bred as rat-dogs initially. The terrier instinct to catch is strong.

Exercise:                              Towards the lower end of the scale  – toy breed, although terriers do need to blow off steam or they will chew your shoes.

Temperament:                    Sweet and affectionate with its owner and close companions, a little yappy and nippy otherwise, will defend you to the death which would be quite likely given their diminutive size).

Origins:                                Germany (“Pinscher” = terrier)

Lifespan:                              11-14 years

History of the Monkey Terrier

Affenpinschers are a toy breed with their origins in Germany. Although they sound like a posh breed, they are a terrier bred to catch rodents and stop food stores being pinched. They have been lovingly nicknamed the ‘monkey terrier’ and, in fact, the name of the breed translates to ‘Monkey-like terrier’.  The description is strikingly accurate. These little rough-haired fur faces always look like they have just woken up. They have fur jutting out of their heads at all angles that gives them permanent bedhead. Or monkey face, as the Germans have decided.

It is thought that this breed was developed as ratter dogs, sometime in the 16^th century. Although hunting dogs by nature, it was soon realised that these farm dogs were then generally affectionate and got on well with almost all other animals including other dogs. This is probably because their background includes some Schnauzer genetics away back in the early breeding.

They are first recorded in 1600 but as larger dogs. They would have been regular terrier-sized then, not dissimilar to the average small Staffordshire terrier nowadays. Selective breeding since then has seen the Affenpinscher made smaller, more compact, somewhat less friendly and ultimately a toy breed suitable as a companion dog, rather than a working breed.

Its heyday was in the late 1800s when for ladies of a certain class it was the dog to be seen with. It even found its way into a few Renoir paintings such as the one pictured below.

Le déjeuner des canotiers (Luncheon of the Boating Party)
Pierre-Auguste Renoir / Public domain

Over the course of the Second World War, their numbers severely declined, being little yappy and bred to chase things meant they didn't fair too well in war-torn Europe. Further, the rise in popularity of the Griffon Bruxellois contributed to the decline in numbers and it is now regarded as being a rare breed.

Nowadays, the Affenpinscher is found all over the world, but sadly there are exceptionally low numbers of the breed anywhere. They made their way to America in 1950 when Evelyn Brody imported three dogs and bred them successfully. They are quite popular over there and it would be fair to say that the USA is now its main stronghold.

Although registered with the UK Kennel Club way back in 1897, the Affenpinscher did not prove popular and it was as recent as 1976, that concerted efforts were made to establish of the breed. Of late they have been shown at Crufts with some regularity in the Toy Group and there is a thriving  Affenpinscher club in the UK with more than 100 members… which is a success by anyone’s standards.

Quick Facts About The Affenpinscher Breed!

We wouldn’t be Five Minutes Spare if we didn’t throw some fun facts your way. Here are some of our favourite little snippets of information regarding the Affenpinscher breed:

• In 2020 there are more Affenpinschers in America than there are in the rest of the world combined!
• There is a separate Affenpinscher Club of America, wholly supported by the American Kennel Club.
• The French call the Affenpinscher the “diablotin moustachu”. This translates to the “moustachioed little devil”.
•  The UK Kennel Club only recognises black ones as being purebred, however, the AKC will allow allows grey, silver, red, black and tan!
• They look like Ewoks: mini ones.

Surely you see the resemblance?
Image: mmckinneyphotography/Shutterstock.com

What Temprament Does An Affenpinscher Have?

These dogs are generally friendly and intelligent but as stated above not really suited to a family home with younger children. They get on with other animals as a general rule, but they will chase anything that moves too fast or looks rodent-like so no rabbits, guinea pigs or hamsters as companions, please. They will also happily chase cars and bikes so be careful to keep them on a lead when out walking. Overall it would be fair to say that an Affenpinscher is a bold, confident dog with a loyal-but-easily-excited temperament. They can be a little silly too with some sources refer to them as ‘clown-like’ so make of that what you will.

Training and Maintenance of the Affenpinscher

Since they are rough (or wire) haired they don’t really need brushing, but you may like to do it anyway since it is a really nice way to bond with your dog while encouraging calmness. They are known as ‘hypoallergenic’ dogs, which is to say that no dog is truly allergen-free, but that their hair won’t fall out all over your house and irritate you. Still, they will need a weekly groom so set aside an hour for this in your diary.

As far as training is concerned, they will struggle with anything that goes against their instinct to chase or to protect. They were originally working dogs so do take the time to burn off their energy with at least hour of exercise every day. That should include a combination of walks and games, chase the stick or ball comes to mind here.

Common Health Concerns

Overall, the Affenpinscher is a healthy, hardy breed. They are toys which make them predisposed towards a longer lifespan than bigger breeds. However, they are a breed that goes back to 1600, so there will be some inherited health concerns. This is part of the reason that you should always buy from a Kennel Club registered dog breeder. They will be able to give you family health history all the way back down the ancestor line.

These are the conditions you ought to ask about before you buy:

1. Hip Dysplasia or slipping kneecaps
2. Hernias from the womb – this often fades with time but isn’t a characteristic you should have if you are looking for a breeding dog.

However, the good news is that the most commonly reported death of this breed (according to the Affenpinscher Club) is old age.

Where to buy Affenpinscher Toy Dogs?

This is important. There are far too many puppy farmers out there who will sell you a dog at great expense to the mother. To ensure you don’t buy a dog from a puppy farmer, check the list of breeders on the Kennel Club or the American Kennel Club’s websites. Choosing a reputable breeder means you know more about the puppy’s background and family history, as well as being better for the dogs.

Before you go!

Why not check out our other Toy dog articles over on the other Five Minutes Spare pages for those that love the little critters as much as we do.