Diva Dogs and Funky Felines - For the Urban Pet Owner

Diva Dogs and Funky Felines is a guide for city-dwelling pet owners who want to maximize the time and space they share with their dog, cat or other animal companion. Whether you live in a cramped basement apartment with an iguana or share a house in the trendy part of town with a black Lab (or two), we'll help you improve quality of life for your pet with tips, product guides and expert interviews.

Sunday, August 5, 2012

Breed Overview: Affenpinschers : Playful Toy Dogs/Terriers




Overview

Affenpinschers , known as “monkey terriers” are scrappy, wiry-haired canines, first bred in Germany. These energetic dogs have a quizzical, monkey-like face and a somewhat stubborn demeanor. Agile and quick to learn, they can be trained easily by a patient owner or handler. Affens are fun, curious dogs, but they can be a handful when agitated. One of the oldest toy dog breeds, Affies usually have a black coat, though some variations include silver, red and a black/tan combination.

The Affenpinscher’s ancestry can be traced back to around 1600. “Ratters”, dogs kept in stores and farms to kill rats, were larger versions of today’s Affens. First bred as smaller dogs in the 18th century, homeowners used them as watchdogs and mouse catchers. Derived from the German Pinscher and mini-Schnauzer around 1750, artistic renderings of these dogs appear in many paintings of the time.


Personality

Affens combine intelligence with spunk. They’re friendly and aren’t afraid to approach people or other animals, including big, aggressive dogs. He’s brave and fiercely protective of his owner and surroundings. Due to their curious, active nature, they’re not recommended for households with young children, unless the owner exhibits strong “pack leadership” and lets the dog know its boundaries at an early age. Affens are pretty athletic and not just in the usual; chasing a ball around the yard  way. They love to do tricks, leaping to play with toys and  even walking on their hind legs

Grooming

A naturally fastidious dog, an Affen keeps himself clean and don’t require much grooming. An occasional grooming touch-up is all he really needs. His medium coat rarely sheds. You can use a slicker brush and greyhound comb to do maintenance grooming on his shaggy coat.  An occasional visit to the dog groomer to get his ears cropped and tail docked will keep your Affen looking good.


 Your Affenpinscher Puppy

Purchase your puppy from a licensed breeder who will give you a health certificate. Some states have extra legal requirements. In California, a vet must sign off on a health certificate stating a dog has received immunizations before being sold.

Take your Affen pup to the vet to get shots for infectious hepatitis, parvovirus and distemper. Pups should get rabies shots when they are four months or older. Start your pup on a regular meal schedule, feeding him at the same time each day with the same type of food. If you suddenly change your pup’s schedule he might refuse to eat, become anxious or get diarrhea. Feed a new pup four meals a day until he’s six months old and two meals until he’s a year old; after that one meal a day will suffice.

Take your new Affenpincsher for rides in the family car. Walk him at a dog park so he can meet other dogs and their owners.  You can also take him to a playground or shopping mall to acclimate him to the outside world. Crate train an Affenpinscher puppy by using a small airline kennel with bedding and a water dish. Keep him in the crate when you’re at work or at night.  Once accustomed to the crate, he’ll run right to it at bedtime.


Health


Hot, humid climates causes a lackluster coat and make an Affenpinscher uncomfortable; moderate or cool climates are best. Extreme heat causes respiratory problems in some Affens. Some dogs have bones that fracture easily or can develop a slipped stifle (dislocated knee). Like other toy breeds, they are prone to hip dysplasia. Patent ductus arteriosus, a congenital heart disease that occurs more often in female dogs, is a more serious risk.


For more info on Affenpinschers, go to The Affenpinscher Club of America