Affengriffon (Affenpinscher & Brussels Griffon Mix): Info, Pics, Traits
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| Height: | 7 – 11 inches |
| Weight: | 7 – 12 pounds |
| Lifespan: | 12 – 15 years |
| Colors: | White, silver, red, gray, black |
| Suitable for: | Couples, apartment dwellers, families with older children |
| Temperament: | Intelligent, cunning, devoted, affectionate |
A spunky, special, and small hybrid dog breed, the Affengriffon was created by breeding the Affenpinscher and the Brussels Griffon. Fluffy little furballs, this petite pooch is well-suited for any type of home environment, including small urban apartments and sprawling suburban houses. Considered to be a hypoallergenic designer dog, the Affengriffon makes the ideal pet for couples or families with older children.
If you’re on the hunt for a fantastic little dog with a big personality, the Affengriffon may be right for you. Let’s explore everything you need to know about this unique hybrid breed.
Affengriffon Puppies
With its adorable face and fluffy body, you may feel the need to scoop up an Affengriffon puppy and take one home right away. However, whenever you’re buying a new dog, it is essential to purchase the pup from a high-quality, reputable breeder. With the rise in popularity and increased demand for designer dogs, America is also seeing an increase in the number of backyard breeders and puppy mill operations. These commercial breeding facilities are only out to make a quick buck and could care less about the health and happiness of the dogs they are breeding.
While an Affengriffon puppy from a backyard breeder or puppy mill will come with an extremely affordable price tag, it could also be plagued by numerous health and behavioral problems. From having mites and mange to being food-aggressive, dogs from low-quality breeders can come with a myriad of issues. This is why it is always best to buy a dog from a reputable and responsible breeder.
Some steps that you can take to ensure that you’re buying a puppy from a good breeder is to ask trusted friends or family members for referrals, ask your local vet, groomer, or trainer for their recommendations, as well as visit dog shows in your area and talk to the dog owners there.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Affengriffon
1. An Odd Name
Your Affengriffon’s parent breed, the Affenpinscher, has a very odd name indeed. The name literally translates to “money-like dog” in German. This is because the breed’s large eyes and protruding lower lip give them a monkey-like appearance.
2. They’re Basically Belgian Royalty
The other parent breed, the Brussels Griffon, was a favorite pet among Belgian royals. Bow down!
3. They’re Avid Swimmers
Despite their petite packaging, the Affengriffon loves to swim!
Temperament & Intelligence of the Affengriffon 🧠
Before you buy an Affengriffon puppy, it’s important to know about their temperament and intelligence. Since this is a hybrid dog, it’s a smart idea to take a look at the personality of your Affengriffon’s two parent dog breeds, the Affenpinscher and the Brussels Griffon.
The Affenpinscher is a charming breed. Loyal, loving, and affectionate, this quiet pooch is guaranteed to steal your heart. Due to their terrier roots, this dog may yap and jump when excited. They love playing fetch and are easy to train.
An extremely active dog, the Brussels Griffon can be stubborn and demanding. While they can adapt to apartment living, they need daily walks. A super-smart breed, this dog requires patient training and does not take fondly to punishment.
Your Affengriffon will inherit a combination of their parent breed’s traits. That means they can be lively, loyal, smart, and stubborn.
Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡
The Affengriffon is a great pet for families with older children. Due to their small stature, the Affengriffon may get injured around young children that do not know how to handle them gently.
Before bringing any type of dog home, it’s important to teach your kids how to behave around a canine properly. This includes never touching the dog’s food while they are eating and avoiding quick, sudden movements around your new pet.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets? 🐶 😽
Yes, the Affengriffon will be fine with their fellow dogs, and even the family cat, if socialized from an early age.
Things to Know When Owning an Affengriffon
Now that you know more about your Affengriffon’s temperament and intelligence, let’s take a closer look at everything they will need from you in order to thrive.
Food & Diet Requirements 🦴
The Affengriffon is a small dog with a moderate energy level. They will need a high-quality kibble that caters to their unique needs. On average, the Affengriffon will eat about 1 cup of dog food per day that can be divided into two meals.
Exercise 🐕
Depending upon the energy level that your Affengriffon inherits from their two parent breeds, they could either need a moderate or high amount of exercise. Aim to give them around 30 minutes of rigorous exercise every day. This could be a brisk walk in the park, indoor playtime, or throwing the ball around in the backyard.
Training 🦮
The Affengriffon is a very intelligent little dog and loves to learn. Positive reinforcement training works best for this hybrid breed. Your Affengriffon may suffer from a stubborn streak, so consistency is key for this dog.
One good training method that will work wonders for your Affengriffon is clicker training. This type of training uses a consistent signal (the clicker) to mark desired behavior from your pup. If they follow the signal, they’re rewarded with a tasty treat.
Grooming ✂️
Both parent breeds have high grooming needs, and your Affengriffon will be no different. They’ll need a thorough weekly brushing with a pin brush, comb, and slicker brush to keep their shaggy coats tangle-free and to get rid of dead hair. Be sure to clean their ears and clip their nails as needed.
Health and Conditions ❤️
- Cataracts
- Patellar luxation
- Hip dysplasia
Overall, the Affengriffon is a healthy little dog that doesn’t suffer from numerous health issues. In order to ensure that you’re getting a healthy dog, it’s important to buy your Affengriffon puppy from a reputable and responsible breeder.
Male vs. Female
Male vs. FemaleThe male Affengriffon may be slightly bigger than the female by several inches and pounds. Other than that, there aren’t huge differences between the two genders.
Final Thoughts
If you’re on the hunt for a cuddly, canine companion that will provide you with years of joy and unconditional love, the Affengriffon may be the perfect pooch for you. Mild-mannered, adaptable, and eager to please, this petite pup is great for individuals, couples, and families with older children.
It’s always important to buy your Affengriffon puppy from a high-quality, reputable breeder and not from a puppy mill or backyard breeder to ensure you’re receiving a healthy, happy dog.
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