The Affenpinscher is a robust, intelligent, terrier-like toy dog that is generally well suited to life in today’s smaller households. Early socialization of the Affenpinscher is critical, so be sure to buy from a responsible breeder who has given the puppies plenty of loving attention and exposed them to a wide variety of people, sights, sounds, and smells. Because toy puppies are so small and fragile, it’s unlikely you’ll be allowed to take him home until he’s 12 weeks old. Affenpinschers are relatively rare and have small litters of two or three pups, so don’t be surprised if you have to wait quite a while to get a puppy from a reputable dog breeder.
Reliable places to start your search are the AKC (American Kennel Club) and the Affenpinscher Club of America, the AKC-recognized national club for the breed. The Affenpinscher Club of America (ACA) offers a wealth of information about the breed for newcomers and seasoned fanciers alike. They also offer a breeder referral service, through which you can locate ACA member breeders in your part of the country. ACA breeders must adhere to a code of ethics in their breeding programs; this offers security to the prospective Affenpinscher owner, who is looking for a reputable breeder whom he can trust. If you are interested in an adult Affenpinscher rather than a puppy, the ACA also has an active rescue program that can help you find an Affenpinscher in need of a new home.
When trying to decide which puppy is right for you, study the breed standard and ask to see at least the dam, all the puppies in the litter, and if possible other relatives. If you’re lucky, the father will be on the premises, although this is not always the case.
If you plan to buy an Affenpinscher, try to visit the prospective pet in its original environment. Seeing the temperament of the parents and the puppy in your own home will help identify personality traits. If this is impossible, then it is important to contact other Affenpinscher owners and the breed club to find out the reputation of your potential puppy’s breeder. Horror stories abound of people who have impulsively bought a cute little puppy and paid more money than the cost of a potential show from a big-name breeder. The temperament and health related problems that have been found with poorly bred puppies are tragic indeed.
A responsible breeder is likely to ask you many questions to ensure that you provide a suitable home for an Affenpinscher puppy. Take no offense, as these questions will also help you get the puppy that best suits your personality and lifestyle. Keep in mind that if you have young children, the Affenpinscher is probably not an appropriate breed for you. Before you begin your puppy search, you should read as much as you can about the breed and rank the qualities that are most important to you. Be sure to make your wishes clear to the breeder, who has been observing the puppies since birth and will be more familiar with their individual characteristics than you might be during a brief visit. Also, if you aspire to show your Affenpinscher, the breeder can use her experience to predict to the best of his ability which pup holds the most promise.
When you go to visit the breeder and litter, you should have already decided if you want a more calm and quiet dog or a more outgoing and assertive dog. Observe each pup carefully. All puppies are cute of course, but which one seems to be the most curious, the most playful, etc.? What could be the best watchdog or the strongest companion if you want the dog to accompany you on long walks?
It’s not at all uncommon for Affenpinschers to be a bit wary of strangers at first, but the puppies will soon come to you in familiar surroundings with a little encouragement from their breeder. The occasional pup can be quite aloof, which may indicate more caution than you want. The ideal puppy for the show or obedience ring is extremely outgoing. Affenpinschers are often stubborn, try holding a puppy in your arms on its back for a bit. If the puppy frantically fights to escape instead of relaxing in your arms, he can become a very dominant dog that can be more difficult to train.
Ask what health tests have been done on the puppy and the parents, ask to see documentation of the test results, and ask what type of written health guarantee the breeder will provide. At the very least, you should be given a few days to take the pup to your vet for a full checkup and be able to return it for a full refund if any issues are found. It’s not enough to be able to trade a sickly pup for another from the same inferior litter!
Older Affenpinschers, retired show dogs, or retired breeding animals that have been spayed or neutered often make excellent pets. This breed is highly trainable and very adaptable if introduced to the family in a calm and consistent manner. Most older dogs accept crate training and appreciate scheduled quiet time in a comfortable enclosure. Be sure to allow the dog to visit your toilet area immediately after the break. Gradually introduce the newly adopted adult to a new or different environment after letting him out and exercising for an appropriate period of time. A secure exercise pen or fenced yard is necessary for all small dogs.
