At a glance the quick version
FCI gives roughly 4-6 kg; Hill's lists 7-9 lb (about 3.2-4.1 kg). The AKC standard does not set a weight.
Coat and looks how to spot one
rough, wiry coat
A harsh, dense coat about an inch long on the body, growing longer and shaggier around the head and shoulders into a small mane. Bushy eyebrows, a beard and a topknot frame the round face and give the famous monkey-like look.15
Personality what they are like
A bold little dog with a serious face and a clownish streak. It is watchful and curious, deeply devoted to its family, usually calm indoors but quick to spark up when something catches its interest. It will stand its ground against much bigger dogs.1546
Daily activity how busy a day looks
Modest exercise needs: Hill's suggests around 20-40 minutes a day and the Royal Kennel Club up to an hour. Short walks and indoor play suit it well.42
Grooming and care the hands-on bits
Brush and comb more than once a week to keep the wiry coat tidy. Regular hand stripping keeps the harsh texture and greatly cuts down loose hair; clipping softens the coat.243
Home where they are happiest
Its small size makes it well suited to flat or house living as long as it gets daily walks and play.24
Company who they like around
A companion breed that bonds closely with its family and likes to be involved. Given its ratting heritage it is best not left alone with pet rodents.14
The story where it all began
The breed started out as a small rough-coated pinscher kept in southern German homes and stables to keep mice and rats down, and dogs of this type appear in old woodcuts by Albrecht Dürer. The first registry entries date from around 1879-1880 and the breed became a popular companion around 1900. After the Second World War numbers were low and some Griffon Bruxellois blood was used to rebuild it.132
Fun facts for the dinner table
- 1
The name comes from the German word Affe, meaning monkey, a nod to the dog's monkey-like face.3
- 2
In France it is nicknamed the diablotin moustachu, the moustached little devil.4
- 3
An Affenpinscher called Banana Joe V Tani Kazari won Best in Show at Westminster in 2013.3
- 4
Affenpinschers are known for being unusually handy with their front paws.4
- 5
Its scruffy black look earned it the nickname 'black devil' dog in the UK.2
Recognised by the official bits
- FCI
- Standard no. 186, Group 2 (Pinscher and Schnauzer, Molossian breeds, Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Pinscher and Schnauzer type; standard dated 26.03.2009, country of origin Germany. Wikipedia gives 1955 as the year of FCI recognition.1
- The Royal Kennel Club
- Toy group; not a vulnerable native breed.2
- AKC
- Toy Group; admitted in 1936. Current standard approved 12 June 2000, effective 27 July 2000.5
The care rhythm Furry Diary remembers it for you
A typical home-care rhythm for a Affenpinscher. It is our own starting plan, not a vet's advice, and you can change every line in the app.
- Brushingevery 2 days
- Bathevery month
- HaircutTrim feathering and feet, or keep a short cutevery 8 weeks
- Nail trimSooner if you hear clicking on the floorevery 3 weeks
- Ear checkevery 2 weeks
- Teeth brushingDaily brushing is idealevery day
- Face foldsWipe and dry the skin foldsevery 2 days
- Eye wipeGently wipe around the eyesevery day
- ExerciseDaily walks and playevery day
- Flea, tick and worm protectionSchedule as your vet recommendsas your vet recommends
- Vet check-upSenior years usually start around age 10every year
You might also like
Griffon Bruxellois
Miniature Schnauzer
German Pinscher
Miniature PinscherLike what we are building? Buy us a coffee.
The breed atlas is free for everyone, with a source on every fact, and it will never show ads. If it helped you, a small tip keeps the research going. Any amount is lovely, and no is a perfectly fine answer too.
Where this comes from
Every breed page shows where each fact comes from. If we got something wrong, sorry, we are pet people, not a science magazine. Tell us at [email protected] and we will fix it.
- FCI Standard No. 186 Affenpinscher fci.beused for origin, recognition, size, coat, colour, temperament, history
- The Royal Kennel Club: Affenpinscher royalkennelclub.comused for group, exercise, grooming, lifespan, history
- Wikipedia: Affenpinscher en.wikipedia.orgused for name meaning, history dates, Westminster win (secondary)
- Hill's Pet: Affenpinscher hillspet.comused for lifespan, weight, exercise, grooming, fun facts
- AKC Official Standard of the Affenpinscher images.akc.orgused for height, coat, colours, temperament, standard dates
- AKC: Affenpinscher breed page akc.orgused for temperament summary
Checked 2026-09-30. Text is written in our own words from these sources.