Did you know that Affenpinscher is German for monkey terrier? In France, Affenpinschers are called diablotin moustachu, which means mustached little devil. These adorable little terriers were kept on farms in Germany to kill rats. It didn’t take long to fall in love with their crazy antics, and they were quickly moved out of the farm into the house as companions. The Affenpinscher is a toy breed, weighing in at 7 to 9 pounds and only 9 to 12 inches tall. They are full of personality and are described by the AKC as “fearless out of proportion to their size”.
Caring for Your Affenpinscher
The Affenpinscher has a medium-length wiry coat that requires brushing twice weekly to prevent mats. The face must also be trimmed to prevent the hair from growing into the eyes. They are athletic and playful, and regular exercise is essential. Given their tiny stature, they will do well in smaller spaces. They can be stubborn, but are also eager to please, making them fairly easy to train.
Common Health Issues in Affenpinschers
Affenpinschers are in general, very healthy. They tend to live a long life of 12 to 15 years.
Medial Patellar Luxation - Medial patellar luxation ((MPL) is a common health problem in the Affenpinscher. The patella is the kneecap. In many smaller dogs, the groove that holds the patella is too shallow, causing the kneecap to slip out of place. In most cases, it is medially or toward the inside of the knee. When the kneecap is out of place, the dog cannot bear adequate weight on the leg. In some dogs this is an occasional skipped step, but in other dogs it can lead to severe pain and lameness. Depending on the severity of the luxation, surgical correction may be needed.
Hip Issues – Affenpinschers may develop problems with their hip joints.
Hip dysplasia occurs when the hip doesn’t form properly, leading to pain and arthritis. The breeder can screen for this in the parents prior to breeding.
Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease is a rare disease seen in smaller dogs. The ball of the hip loses its blood supply causing the bone to die. This is a very painful condition that requires surgical removal of the ball of the hip. The cause of it is not fully understood at this time.
Eye problems – Affenpinschers are more prone several eye conditions, including:
Cataracts – a clouding of the eye's lens leading to vision loss.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy – a genetically inherited disease that leads to progressive blindness in dogs affected.
Corneal Dystrophy – the cornea is the clear portion in the very front of the eye, with corneal dystrophy, minerals deposit into the cornea, affecting vision.
These eye diseases cannot be prevented once they start to develop. Ensure your breeder is not using dogs that are carriers of these diseases and that the parents have had CERF exams.
Dental Disease Dogs have 42 adult teeth in their mouths, regardless of the size of their faces. Affenpinschers have a shorter face, causing the teeth to be more crowded. Food particles get trapped between the teeth, causing bacteria to grow and tartar to form on the teeth. Over time, tartar can cause gingivitis and tooth root infections. Good oral health and regular dental cleanings are needed to keep the mouth healthy and breath fresh.
Nutrition for Affenpinscher
There are no specific nutritional requirements for Affenpinschers. A well-balanced commercial pet food should be adequate as long as your pet is healthy. Toy breed dogs, such as the Affenpinscher, are more prone to obesity. We tend to give them more treats in proportion to their size. Limit their treats to less than 10% of their total calories and look for lower-calorie treat options, such as baby carrots, green beans, and air-popped popcorn.
Pet Health Insurance for Your Affenpinscher
If you are looking for pet health insurance for your Affenpinscher you should ensure that many health issues that are commonly seen in Affenpinscher are covered. You will also want to find insurance with short waiting times for treatment and surgery. If you prolong these procedures, your dog could have permanent health issues.
Many times, certain health conditions are considered genetic or are a pre-existing condition and they may not be covered for your Affenpinscher.
You could also consider enrolling in Mint Wellness, a pet wellness plan that also includes membership in Pet Assure, a low-cost pet insurance alternative and veterinary discount plan. This plan has no exclusions due to age, breed, or hereditary conditions. Even pre-existing conditions are covered! Get a quote today. It's perfect for an Affenpinscher!
Medically Reviewed by Jennifer Shepherd, DVM
