Affenpug Dog Breed Facts: History, Health Traits, and Characteristics
Table of Contents
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Affenpug Breed Card
Affenpug Breed Overview
Group
Mixed Breed Dogs
Height
12-16 inches tall
Breed Recognition
No
Weight
9-12 pounds
Country of Origin
Unknown
Personality
Loving, Alert, Playful
Lifespan
12-14 years
Shedding
Low
Affenpug History
The Affenpug dog is a cross between a Pug and an Affenpinscher. Little is known about where it originated and why but given the reasons the original breeds were designed, we can safely say it was bred to be a companion dog.
The Pug, one of the Affenpug’s parent dogs, came about around 400 B.C. in China. In those days, the emperors preferred flat-faced dogs like the Shih Tzus and Pekingese dogs.
The Pug, another flat-faced breed, was bred and refined for companionship and was coveted by Chinese royalty. In the 16th century, Dutch traders brought the Pug breed back to Europe, where it could finally be enjoyed by residents outside of Chinese royalty.
The Affenpinscher comes from Germany, where it was developed back in the 1200s as a ratting dog. Back then, the medium-sized dog was trained to effectively hunt and kill vermin in and around the farm.
As the years went on, the dog was bred to be smaller and smaller until it was small enough to hunt mice and pests indoors. Once it was inside, keeping the house clean of rodents, it was adopted as a companion animal, and that’s where it resides today. Both the Pug and the Affenpinscher have become companion animals in modern times.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $1500
High End: $3000
Affenpug Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The Affenpug is a small dog, standing just over one foot at the shoulder. The tail will often be stocky and of medium length. Their body is sturdy and somewhat boxy, with their hind legs being a bit longer than their front. Floppy ears and big eyes adorn the flat face of this red, fawn, or sable-colored little dog, while their wiry coat gives them an “old man” appearance.
The crossbreed Affenpug is not recognized by the AKC as a purebred dog breed. Instead, they are classified as designer dogs and, therefore, will likely never be recognized as a registered breed.
This means they do not have a breed standard that dictates what a standard Affenpug will look like. However, we can assume that an Affenpug will typically inherit the longer, more wiry coat of the Affenpinscher with red, fawn, or sable coloring.
They will have brown eyes and a black nose set in a cute, almost squishy face. Their tail will be longer than a Pug’s, with the floppier ears of the Pug atop a pan face.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 12-16 inches
Weight: 9-12 pounds
Height: 12-16 inches
Weight: 9-12 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Brown
Coat Color
Red, fawn, sable
Coat Length
Medium
Coat Texture
Wiry
Affenpug Temperament and Personality
The Affenpug is like many small breeds, such as the Chihuahua and Schnauzer. This is to say the mixed breed dog is vocal and spunky. They enjoy being the center of attention but can be wary of strangers.
They are alert to their surroundings and are quick to bring their concerns to their owners through a series of barks and growls. This Affen dog is a loyal and stubborn canine that makes a great watchdog for any household.
Training is a must with the Affenpug. They are like most small dog breeds in that they can become quite attached to a single person, and this can turn into overprotective behavior.
Training at an early age can help to mitigate this and should also include quiet commands and recall commands. One of the parent breeds, the pug, has a vocal nature, while the Affenpinscher has a high prey drive, and both of these can be controlled through thorough and consistent training.
The Affenpug is best for houses with older children or no children. Though they are energetic and love to play, they can also become rambunctious quickly and play too aggressively with small children.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the Affenpug is kid-friendly.
However, supervision is advisable when the Affenspinscher-Pug mix is playing with children. They can become too excited and play too hard with small children, who can scare the kids or even cause injury.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
Yes, the Affenpug is good with other pets.
Despite their small size, they are best suited for households with large dogs, like Labradors or German Shepherds. The Affenpinscher in the Affenpug has a high prey drive and can express possessiveness over food, neither of which are ideal for households with other small pets.
Regardless of the size of the other pets in the house, socialization should occur early and often to ensure your dog grows up to be confident and well-adjusted.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
Yes, the Affenpug is known for its barking. The pug in this Affenpinscher mix is an alert and vocal dog, but it is not an aggressive dog. This helps to make it a great watchdog that is quick to notify its people of potential dangers around them.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
No, the Affenpug cannot be left alone for long.
Both breeds that make up this mixed breed, however, are prone to separation anxiety. This means training will be to be done early and often to mitigate the effects. A kennel is also likely to be a good idea as this kind of frustration is likely to end in destructive behavior.
Affenpug Training
The Affenpug is not an aggressive dog, but they are prone to anxiety, barking, and possessiveness. This means training will require quiet commands and recall commands alongside the basic obedience commands.
Secondly, because of the likelihood that your dog will experience separation anxiety, kennel training is going to be an imperative piece of the puzzle. Training your dog to not only go to their kennel when told but to enjoy being in there is going to save both dog and dog owner a lot of time and frustration.
Finally, Affenpugs are likely to have a noticeable prey drive thanks to the Affenpinscher in them. This requires training in heel commands and recall commands to minimize any potential of an accident due to chasing a smaller animal.
Affenpug Needs
The Affenpug is a medium-energy dog that is prone to hip dysplasia and patellar luxation, among other health conditions. This requires them to have supplements and high-quality kibble to support the healthy function of their joints, ligaments, and muscles.
Training is paramount to making sure your Affenpug is a well-mannered and respectful little dog. Basic obedience training, along with more in-depth recall and heel commands, will give you a great advantage in owning this tiny crossbreed.
Due to its medium energy and small size, the Affenpug’s exercise requirements are relatively low. This is a great dog for people who like to go on walks regularly, but the Affenpug is not likely a great option for avid hikers or swimmers. This low exercise needs make this dog a great choice for apartment living if they have been trained well.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
The Affenpug is a tiny dog, so it will require dog food made specifically for small dogs. This kind of dog food will have the right amount of specific nutrients that aid in joint health and eye health, as well as being made into smaller kibble to be easier on a small dog’s teeth.
That said, feeding should be done carefully, and maybe with a slow feeder. Pugs are known to have a propensity for obesity, and the Affenpug is no different. It is easy for them to overeat, and this puts the responsibility of proper portion control on the dog owner.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
The Affenpug is considered a medium-energy dog. They require daily walks of up to one hour, and frequent socialization is recommended for a well-adjusted dog.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
The medium-length, wiry fur is low shedding and is considered to be hypoallergenic. They may not require clippings often, but brushing will need to be a part of your daily bonding with your dog. Their fur is prone to matting and tangling, which can be extremely uncomfortable for your small dog.
Affenpug Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of an Affenpug is 12-14 years.
This breed is known to suffer from common small dog health issues, like brachycephalic syndrome and retinal atrophy. The Affenpug is a small and sensitive dog that does best when it receives frequent physical examinations and the appropriate amount of exercise for its age and energy level.
Commom Health Problems
- Hip Dysplasia: A condition that occurs during the growth stages of a dog’s life and leads to arthritis, muscle atrophy, and limited mobility.
- Patellar Luxation: This occurs when the kneecap moves out of the femoral groove when the knee is bent.
- Retinal Atrophy: This is a group of degenerative diseases that impact the photoreceptor cells inside the eye, and this eventually leads to blindness.
- Brachycephalic Syndrome: Often occurring in flat-nosed dogs, this is a medical relating to the various upper airway problems many small dogs tend to suffer.
- Pancreatitis: This occurs when the pancreas becomes inflamed. The inflammation can be caused by a number of things, including but not limited to obesity, infection, trauma, and metabolic disorders.
- Intervertebral Disk Disease: A condition in which one or more of the cushions between each vertebra comes into contact with the spinal cord. Symptoms of this can range drastically from irritation to paralysis.
- Ectropion: This occurs when the soft tissue of the inner eyelid is exposed when they roll outward to reveal the inner eyelids.
Recommended Health Tests
- Hip and knee evaluation
- Patella evaluation
- Ophthalmologist evaluation
Tips for New Affenpug Owners
Here are some tips for new Affenpug dog owners:
Tip 1
Find a Reputable Breeder: A good breeder will have a genetic test done to determine what if any, common ailments will have the biggest likelihood of affecting the dog in its life. They will also have paperwork documenting their lineage and health issues that run in their family.
Tip 2
Get Puppy/Dog Products in Advance: Preparing your household before your dog gets there is going to help smooth out the process of bonding with a new puppy. First-time Affenpug owners should have everything they need to provide their dogs with the best life possible.
Tip 3
Train and Socialize Early: The Affenpug can be a territorial little dog with a high-pitched and loud voice. This can be irritating to anyone within earshot and can make it impossible to live in an apartment. Socialization is required to ensure your small canine will interact with other dogs and animals in a well-mannered and respectful way.
Tip 4
Prepare for Vet Bills: This is not to say every Affenpug will have more vet bills than the average dog, but rather that this dog may require a BOAS surgery. This is a common practice in Pugs and Bulldogs. This refers to the procedure of thinning the soft palate to allow the dog to breathe more easily and efficiently.
Affenpug Similar Breeds
– Scottish Terrier
– Pekingese
– Pug
– Affenpinscher
Affenpug Supplies You Need
Dog food and dog treats are going to be your best friend when training an Affenpug. These are highly food-motivated dogs and love to receive treats for a job well done in a good training session.
Joint and eye supplements are also a great idea to increase the odds your dog will be able to move and see well into their senior years. A snuffle mat may be included for those rainy days when an outdoor walk is less of an option.
A crate will also be needed, especially in the early days. Affenpugs are known to suffer from separation anxiety, and having a kennel to provide them a space of their own can be a great way to discourage that behavior while you’re away. This also makes for a great training tool.
Toys and a high-quality dog bed should also be on your dog shopping list. Toys offer all sorts of enriching activities that help to keep a dog’s energy in check and its mind happy.
A good bed, preferably an orthopedic bed, is also going to be a great addition to your dog’s life. An orthopedic dog bed reduces the pressure on a dog’s joints and helps to keep them feeling younger and longer.
Best Dog Beds for Affenpugs
Best Dog Food for Affenpugs
Best Dog Supplements for Affenpugs
Affenpug Fun Facts
If interested in the breed, here are some fun facts about the Affenpug:
Fun Fact 1
Legend holds that the Pug became the mascot of Holland’s royal House of Orange when a Pug saved the life of the Prince of Orange by barking to warn the prince of an attack on his camp by Spanish troops.
Fun Fact 2
The Pug is one of the oldest breeds, with records of their existence dating back to around 400 B.C.
Fun Fact 3
The Affenpug has only been around for about 30 years and has been classified as a “designer dog.”
Fun Fact 4
The Affenpinscher has been nicknamed “mustachioed devil” thanks to its loud and mischievous nature.
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