Perhaps you saw that really cute black dog on television, winning the Toy Group at Westminster several years ago. If so, you may be among the hundreds of people who began searching online, by phone, in writing, and by word-of-mouth for a breeder of Affenpinschers. Yes, they are cute. Yes, they are small. Yes, they have charming personalities. There are, however, long lists of negatives that you should consider before you rush out and try to buy one, which just may outweigh the positives for you.

Personality

They have some personality traits that may or may not please you to live with. They do not particularly like small children. They can, and will bite if provoked. The coat requires frequent brushing and periodic grooming. They can be notoriously difficult to housebreak. For some unknown reason, this breed of dog has a fixation for eating whatever is low enough for the dog to see, and small enough to fit into its mouth; bugs, food wrappers, plants, pebbles, etc. You must be constantly vigilant. I know of one young dog in particular that has had his stomach "pumped" at the Vets, three times, usually from getting into his Mistress's purse.

Obedience training is not impossible with an Affenpinscher, it only seems that way. Maturity is a big factor when it comes to obedience training. Younger Affens do not accept the will of owners readily, until they become mature (emotionally and physically). They are smart, often too smart, to be readily trainable. Often it is a contest of wills, to teach an Affenpinscher new behavior.

The Affenpinscher requires more socialization with humans than perhaps any other breed of dog. A lack of socialization will create an almost schizophrenic-like behavior in the adult Affenpinscher. Behavior is something you can modify to a point with training and conditioning. The rest of it depends on the intrinsic breed traits passed on in the genes. Affens can become agitated by "perceived threats," meaning that the dog thought it was something to get excited over. Their reactions vary widely from individual to individual, to such things as noise, people, other animals, movement around them, and children (a category by themselves). Some Affenpinschers react to these stimuli with minimal notice, while others may become hysterical. The peculiar thing is these individuals can and do, come from the same litters, having experienced the same sensory input as neonates and puppies; yet react on different ends of the spectrum behaviorally.

This list could be an overwhelming deterrent for wanting one as a pet, if it weren't for the ones that turn out to be absolutely delightful, well-adjusted canine companions. Those are often the ones we see first and fall in love with. But the others are out there made a U-turn when developing their personalities. Tendencies for erratic, nervous reactions to stimuli do however, exist in all members of the breed. Some of us accept this as part of the package, and are amused and entertained by it. It is only the occasional dog with extreme behavior that is troubling to those of us who know the breed so well.

Health Issues

There are some breed specific medical issues you should investigate. Toy dogs are prone to several injuries because of their small size and a combination of genetic circumstances. Bone fractures occur often. The front legs seem to be the site of highest incidence, although not exclusively. Oligdontia (too few or too small teeth) is on the list.

Number one as far as recorded occurrence: is patellar luxation, or sliding in and out of place with the knee assembly. It can cause degrees of damage from dog to dog. The worst cases of luxation require surgery to prevent crippling pain and arthritic changes. Other orthopedic problems include Legg-Perthes disease and Canine Hip Dysplasia (once thought to only affect large breeds) that have a distinct impact on the breed.

There is an inherited tendency for hernias in some lines of Affenpinschers, as well as some endocrinology issues like hypothyroidism, and impaired immune systems. Some lines have tendencies to develop sebaceous cysts as well.

Opthalmic disorders include: early onset cataracts, corneal ulcerations, and rarely, glaucoma. Some of the gravely serious conditions include the cardiac problems. In the late1980's an informal survey was done within the Affenpinscher Club of America regarding health problems in Affens. The number one condition cited was patellar luxation, the number two listing was "heart problems." In attempting to identify some of the heart conditions, I have seen necropsy reports citing: PDA (present at birth and correctible by surgery), Prolapsed Mitral Valve, Cardiomyopathy, and a few others. Liver Shunts have been reported, and are also in the fatal category, though some are milder, operable, and/or treatable. Veterinary texts list von Wildebrand (a potentially fatal bleeding disorder) in the Affenpinscher also.

These diseases sound enormous in scope when seen in writing, but in actuality, are less in number than those existing in a vast majority of breeds. So take heart, it certainly could be worse.

More Health Information

Breeding

In one short word...DON'T...it's not for the novice or faint of heart. If you are entertaining the idea of exhibiting and breeding Affenpinschers, are you prepared to screen for inheritable diseases, and guarantee full reimbursement for puppies you produce? Are you prepared to accept back any puppies or adults that you have bred, that require re-homing for any reason? Will you pay for their medical expenses, travel expenses, possible euthanasia if necessary? If you can honestly answer yes to those questions, then you may have what it takes to be a breeder. If not, adopt a rescue, buy a pet or an occasional show dog, but forget about breeding. All of our rescued Affens are spayed or neutered prior to placement...NO EXCEPTIONS!

Not the breed for everyone, but truly the only breed, for some. If you love quirky, if you are not opposed to different looks, if you can handle the attitude "ten feet tall and bullet-proof" one minute, then hiding behind Mama's skirt the next; maybe you are Affenpinscher owner material.