Affenwich Dog Breed Facts: History, Health Traits, and Characteristics
Table of Contents
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Affenwich Breed Card
Affenwich Breed Overview
Group
Mixed Breed Dogs
Height
9-11 inches tall
Breed Recognition
No
Weight
7-10 pounds
Country of Origin
Unknown
Personality
Loyal, Energetic, Vocal
Lifespan
12-14 years
Shedding
Low
Affenwich History
There is little documented breed information on the Affenwich dog and when and where it comes from. What we do know is it is an Affenpinscher and Norwich Terrier mix dog.
This is a good indication they were bred to be companion dogs who are loyal and energetic. The American Kennel Club (AKC) does not officially recognize the Affenwich as a standard breed or a purebred dog, like a Cocker Spaniel, Akita, Bulldog, or Labrador Retriever.
The Affenpinscher, one of the breeds that make up this mixed breed dog, was originally bred in Germany in the 1200s for ratting and was bred from a mixture of the pug and German Pinscher. It was originally a medium-sized dog that was eventually bred down to a toy breed and used for vermin control indoors as well as becoming a fast favorite for companionship.
The Norwich Terrier was bred to control the rodent population in the United Kingdom. Although they became famous for their ratting abilities, British hunters began using them in packs for fox hunts, and this led to them being bred to be more social than they once were. Since then, they have become popular terriers for companionship and sport hunting.
Cost ✅
COST LEVEL
Low End: $800
High End: $1200
Affenwich Physical Traits
General Appearance💡
The Affeniwch is a tiny dog with a powerful build for a small dog and will either have a flat face or a more noticeable snout. The hallmark is the large tail that tends to reach toward the sky. Their overall appearance is more akin to a Yorkie or a Norwich Terrier than an Affenpinscher with their coarse, rough coat and larger face and ears.
The Affenwich has not been recognized as a standard breed by the AKC, which means there is no breed standard. However, because of the two parent breeds, the Affenpinscher and the Norwich Terrier, you can expect your Affenwich to have some general qualities.
Your Affeniwch will be tiny, no more than 10 pounds, and have a strong, boxy build. Their tail will be girthy and is likely to stand upright. The hind legs will be about level with the front legs, but the back legs may appear longer due to the muscular chest of the Affenwich.
They may have a flat face or a more pronounced snout, depending on which parent has the most recessive genes. The ears will likely be large and triangle shaped, like the Norwich terrier, and their eyes will be somewhat close together and have large, expressive characteristics.
Their colors can range from black to brindle, and their eyes may be brown or amber in color. The coat will be slightly denser than average, with a medium length and a wiry texture.
Size & Weight ❤️
Height: 9-11 inches
Weight: 7-10 pounds
Height: 9-11 inches
Weight: 7-10 pounds
Coat & Color
Eye Color
Brown, Amber
Coat Color
Black, Sable, Gray, Red, Brindle
Coat Length
Medium
Coat Texture
Wiry
Affenwich Temperament and Personality
The Affenwich is a high-energy little dog with the attitude of a large dog. They are fearless and alert to their surroundings. This also means they are easily bored and prone to mischief if not exercised, stimulated, and trained properly.
Barking is a notable trait of the Affenwich. They could be described as “yappy.” This can be corrected with training, which the Affenwich will need plenty of. This tiny ball of energy, with its short attention span, can be tricky to train. They are known as being stubborn and strong-willed, but they bond deeply with their humans and are eager to please them if they are the ones handling the training.
When it comes to small children and other dogs, the Affenwich is a great choice. They are highly social animals and, though they are easily excitable, do well when supervised around young children. The Affenwich requires exercise to be happy and obedient, although this can be done by letting them run around the yard or taking them for a long walk.
Kid Friendly?
GOOD WITH KIDS
Bad Idea
Excellent Nanny
Yes, the Affenwich is kid-friendly.
They tend to enjoy being around children, but they should be supervised when around young kids. This small dog is easily excitable and can become too rowdy or play too rough with the child, potentially causing minor injuries like scratches or bruises.
Good with Other Pets?
GOOD WITH PETS
Bad Idea
Friendly Socialite
Yes, the Affenwich is good with pets.
Both the parent breeds are social dogs, and they enjoy being around other dogs, but other types of small pets should likely be kept separate from the Affenwich.
Both parents this breed comes from were bred to hunt rodents, and small animals like rats, gerbils, and ferrets may be in danger around this little devil.
Barks a Lot?
BARKING LEVEL
When Neccessary
Noise Maker
Yes, the Affenwich is known to bark a lot.
This can be controlled with thorough and consistent training, and these dogs are quite trainable with an experienced dog owner, which helps to make them good guard dogs.
Can Be Left Alone?
LEFT ALONE
Likes Being Alone
Sepration Anxiety
Yes, the Affenwich can be left alone.
However, they are prone to separation anxiety. This means crate or kennel training will be the best option to keep your dog from feeling stressed when it is left alone, and the kennel will help to keep the dog safe.
Affenwich Training
Training an Affenwich is possible, but it may take some patience and creativity. These little canines are highly food-motivated, so having a handful of dog treats on hand will prove to be one of your best assets.
Being hunting dogs, they tend to have a short attention span when not actively seeking prey, so training sessions should be short and to the point.
Training should include basic obedience commands along with quiet commands and crate commands. Basic obedience commands set the tone for the household and teach the dog they are not the ones in charge.
More specific training, like the quiet and heel commands, will be necessary for controlling this dog’s prey-drive instincts and barking. Once these are under control, the Affenwich can make for a great apartment dog.
Affenwich Needs
The Affenwich will have many of the same needs as most small dogs. This includes regular exercise, joint and eye supplements, high-quality kibble, and mentally stimulating dog toys.
The Affenwich can be an independent little dog that is prone to mischief and destructive behavior if its exercise needs are not met. The amount of exercise they receive will depend on the dog, but generally speaking, this dog does best with about one hour of exercise per day. They also love spending time with their people so, for their emotional health, it is a great idea to take them with you when you go places when possible.
Things these dogs are prone to include, but are not limited to, separation anxiety, excessive barking, and chasing animals. This means serious training is required to ensure the health and safety of these dogs. Basic obedience training and specialized training for dogs with high-prey drive and watchdog skills will be necessary to enjoy life with an Affenwich to the fullest.
Nutritional Requirements
FOOD MOTIVATED
Picky Eater
Voracious Eater
The Affenwich will require high-quality dog food made specifically for small dogs. This will ensure they are receiving all of the nutrients specific to their needs, like those for joint and macular support. They are also high-energy dogs, so feeding them dog food for the energy output and life stage they are in will garner the best results from your little canine.
Exercise & Activity Levels
ENERGY LEVEL
Couch Potato
Go-All-Day Stamina
Being high-energy terrier mixes, these crossbreeds require dedicated time for exercise. This can be a daily walk, but they can do well with just being let out into a fenced-in yard as long as there is no way for them to escape when chasing something.
Grooming Needs
SHEDDING LEVEL
No Shedding
Shedding Machine
Grooming an Affenwich is easy. Their fur is rough and grows to about a medium length, but it is low shedding and considered hypoallergenic. They will require weekly brushing to prevent tangles and matting, which are uncomfortable for a dog. Occasion visits to the dog groomer can also help to bring new life into an old and dusty fur coat of an active Affenwich.
Affenwich Average Lifespan
The average lifespan of the Affenwich is 12-14 years. Though they are generally healthy dogs, this number can vary depending on the quality of breeder, frequency of vet visits, and genetic factors that could limit the health or growth of the small dog.
Commom Health Problems
- Patellar Luxation: This occurs when the kneecap “pops out” of place. The kneecap moves outside of the femoral groove, which is painful but not fatal.
- Hip Dysplasia: Refers to the loosening of the hip joint, which leads to arthritis, limited mobility, muscle atrophy, and joint pain.
- Mitral Valve Disease: One of the earliest indications of future heart disease, this occurs when the mitral valve between the left ventricle and left atrium becomes weak. This can lead to leaking and insufficient blood flow back into the body.
- Legg-Calve-Perthes Disease: A degeneration of the femoral head that sits inside the hip socket. This degeneration causes limping and weakness, eventually causing the dog to no longer put weight on the affected leg.
- Patent Ductus Arteriosus: A heart defect occurs when the ductus arteriosus fails to close down at birth. The arterial shunt between the aorta and the pulmonary artery is present at birth and can lead to left ventricular hypertrophy and, eventually, to congestive heart failure.
Recommended Health Tests
- Hip evaluation
- Dental examination
- Cardiac ultrasound
Tips for New Affenwich Owners
If you are planning to get an Affenwich dog, consider these tips:
Tip 1
Find a Reputable Breeder: A reputable breeder will have complete documentation of the lineage of their dogs. This documentation will also contain genetic information that indicates health issues past generations of the lineage have had and the potential for future health problems.
Tip 2
Get Puppy/Dog Products in Advance: Bringing a new puppy home is a stressful ordeal. Preparing ahead of time by purchasing everything you and your new dog will need prior to bringing your dog home will make the transition much easier and reduce the stress you and your new dog may feel.
Tip 3
Practice Regular Vet Visits: Seeing a veterinarian frequently can help you identify and mitigate the effects of the potential health issues associated with this breed. Diagnosing them early gives you the best chance to prevent the condition from progressing into something more serious or life-threatening.
Tip 4
Start Training: Basic obedience training is a must with these dogs, but reiterating the specific training of heel, recall, and quiet commands will help make your life and your dog’s life easier.
Affenwich Similar Breeds
– Affenpinscher
– Norwich terrier
– Scottish terrier
– Miniature Schnauzer
Affenwich Supplies You Need
Supplies needed for first-time Affenwich owners are largely the same as for any other dog. Dog treats, dog toys, and food and water bowls are the obvious must-haves, but your Affenwich will likely be more food-oriented than toy oriented.
This gives you a good opportunity to offer them something like a snuffle mat or treat dispensers to give them some mental stimulation as well as a snack.
Some more specific things you will likely want to have are joint and eye supplements, a crate, and an orthopedic dog bed. These will help to take care of their most sensitive areas as well as give them a place of their own. A dog crate and crate training are also necessary to help control their barking.
Best Dog Beds for Affenwichs
Best Dog Food for Affenwichs
The Honest Kitchen Whole Grain Chicken Clusters for Small Breeds
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Best Dog Supplements for Affenwichs
Affenwich Fun Facts
Here are some fun facts about the cute Affenwich dog:
Fun Fact 1
The Affenpinscher, one of the parent breeds of this dog, was originally bred as a medium-sized dog and was bred smaller and smaller until it could effectively hunt mice indoors and be a lap dog.
Fun Fact 2
The Norwich terrier, the other half of the Affenwich, is the smallest breed of working dog available at just 10 inches tall and a weight of up to 12 pounds.
Fun Fact 3
No one is sure of where the Affenwich was originally bred or when.
Fun Fact 4
The tiny Norwich terrier was once used in packs to hunt foxes in the United Kingdom.
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