Affenpinscher

Like every breed, the Affenpinscher is not the right fit for every home. Based on the breed’s typical traits:

• Keep sessions fun: the breed often takes well to trick training and mini agility.
• Be patient and consistent, as Affenpinschers can be strong-willed.
• Socialise them well and teach them to ignore everyday noise, so they settle in town or country.
• Make sure the garden is fully secure, as they can squeeze through small gaps or dig underneath fences.

• Children

  Usually better with older, calmer children.

• Other dogs

  Usually sociable with other dogs.

• Cats and small pets

  Varies with the individual dog.

• Flats and smaller homes

  Often adapts to flats and smaller homes.

• Garden

  A secure garden is strongly advised.

• Being left alone

  Usually copes only with short periods alone.

• First-time owners

  Often suits first-time owners.

Not yet reviewed by a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice: speak to your vet about your own dog’s health.

• Breathing difficulties

  In some flat-faced dogs, the soft tissue in the nose and throat is too much for the airways, which can cause heavy panting, noisy breathing and reduced ability to exercise. This is known as brachycephalic obstructive airway syndrome.

• Teeth problems

  A shortened skull often means a shortened jaw with the same number of teeth, which can lead to overcrowding and dental and gum problems.

• Skin fold inflammation

  Excess skin around the face can form folds where the skin becomes sore and prone to infection.

• Eye ulcers

  Painful erosions on the surface of the eye are more common in flat-faced breeds because their eyes tend to be more prominent.

• Patellar luxation

  A problem with the kneecaps that the breed can sometimes suffer from. It is worth asking a breeder about.

• Legg-Perthes disease

  A joint condition listed among those the breed can sometimes suffer from.

• Hip dysplasia

  A joint condition that is also seen in the breed.

• Tracheal collapse

  A problem affecting the windpipe that is occasionally seen in the breed.

• Syringomyelia

  A condition in which fluid-filled areas develop around the spinal cord, causing pain.

• Health testing

  The Royal Kennel Club asks breeders to prioritise genetic diversity, and the breed also has a breed club health scheme.

Responsible breeders and rescues are happy to talk about health, and any pressure to decide quickly is a reason to walk away. Before taking a Affenpinscher home, it is reasonable to ask about:

• Health testing of the parents. Ask which health tests the parents have had for conditions known in the breed, and to see the results.
• Veterinary and vaccination records. Puppies should have had a first vaccination and a vet check, with records you can take home.
• Microchip information. In England, Scotland and Wales puppies must be microchipped and registered by eight weeks old. Ask who the chip is registered to and how the transfer works.
• Registration paperwork. Registration papers, where they apply, record pedigree. They do not by themselves prove health or how a puppy was raised.

There are two costs: bringing a Affenpinscher home, and looking after one well. Puppy prices depend on the breeder, health testing and demand; the adverts below show what sellers are asking today.

Ongoing costs are the ones new owners most often underestimate: food, insurance (which usually rises with age), routine vet care, vaccinations and parasite treatment, dental care, grooming, training, bedding and equipment, and boarding or a sitter for holidays. Budget for the whole of the dog’s life, typically from 12 years, not just the first year.

If you have decided the Affenpinscher suits your life, take the same care choosing where your dog comes from. Meet the puppy in person, see it with its mother, and look at how the litter is raised.

• Check who you are dealing with: every Mypetzilla advert shows the seller type and what we have checked.
• Ask about health testing, vaccinations and the microchip before you commit.
• Take your time. Do not be rushed by deposits or "last one left" stories.
• Meet in person before paying anything, and keep conversations on Mypetzilla.

Affenpinschers do come up for adoption, through rescue organisations, breed rescues and private rehoming, often because an owner’s circumstances have changed rather than any fault of the dog. An adult dog arrives as a known quantity: its size, coat and character are already on show.

Rescues will usually talk you through the dog’s history, any medical care, and the home it needs, including children, other animals and time alone. Be honest about your circumstances: a good rescue would rather place a dog once, well.