About the Affenpinscher:

This ancient and old Germanic dog grabs your heart never to let go. As with my Border Collies, England was the place that seemed to draw me to the breed.

At times, their small size disguises their boldness. They are intensely smart and the best companion you could ever want. The German name, "Affenpinscher" (meaning monkey terrier) serves them well.

The Affenpinscher breed was accepted into the American Kennel Club in 1936. They are still considered a relatively rare breed in the United States. They were granted show status in the English Kennel Club in 1982.

This small rough coated little dog appeared in the woodcuts of Durer in the 1600's and have always been adored for their amusing ways and total devotion to the owners. Two accounts of German dog shows in the 1870's and 1880's indicate that Affenpinschers were well established in southern Germany around Frankfurt and Munich.

Between World War I and World War II, Affens were exported to the United States. At the same time they were taking hold in Belguim and France but being crossed with the Griffons. Sadly, the Affenpinscher really never recovered in their homeland.