How can you resist the sweet little face of the Affenpinscher?
You can’t – that’s why you just have to have one! But how much do they cost? The average Affenpinscher price is between $800 and $2,000.
This isn’t a bad purebred Affenpinscher price, but it’s still too high if you find out after buying that the breed just isn’t right for you.
That’s why it’s a good idea to research the breed’s temperament first, among other things, to make sure he’s a good match for you.
So let’s take this chance to get to know the Affenpinscher a bit better.
The Affenpinscher, Up Close
A breed’s history can draw you in and make the breed irresistible to you.
Take, for instance, the Affenpinscher. The “Affe” in his name is German for “ape” or “monkey”.
This is adorable, considering how he does kind of look like a miniature gorilla.
He’s also a mischievous little fellow when he wants to be, like a monkey, so the name certainly fits.
While the Germans created the Affenpinscher as a ratter for kitchens and stables, the original Affenpinscher was actually a slightly larger dog.
Affenpinscher Temperament and Personality
Sure, the Affenpinscher may be cute, but is this the kind of dog you could live with every day?
Let’s take a look at some of his personality traits to find out.
He Has No Idea How Small He Is
This is the kind of dog who can end up in serious trouble by going up against dogs who are twice his size.
He either doesn’t know how small he is…or he doesn’t care.
All he cares about is protecting his family – no matter what the size of the threat may be.
He has a tell, though: if he’s shaking, this means he’s excited. Double-check what it is he’s excited about before he gets into trouble he can’t get out of.
Once he gets into this state, you must remember that he will take a little while to calm back down and return to normal.
Not Great with Kids
Here’s the dealbreaker if you’re looking for a dog who’s great with kids: the Affenpinscher is not.
He can’t get out of his own way when it comes to acting territorial – and this includes children.
He won’t think twice to boss a child around, which can feel frightening to younger children especially.
Loves the Outdoors
You should never leave a dog outside all the time, but the Affenpinscher wouldn’t feel too bothered by a prolonged period outside.
He absolutely adores the outdoors.
If you live in an apartment and don’t have a yard, make sure to take him to the dog park as often as possible.
(Just make sure to supervise him when he’s around the other dogs – especially the bigger ones!)
Mischievous
It is far from uncommon for an Affenpinscher to enjoy engaging in behaviors he otherwise shouldn’t, like climbing or excessive barking.
You should be able to train him out of these behaviors, but you should also be aware of how likely he will engage in them.
Affenpinscher Size
The Affenpinscher is a little guy, ranging in height from 9 to 12 inches tall and between 6 and 13 lbs. as an adult.
If this is too small for you, you may want to consider opting for a larger breed – something you may not know yet while he’s still a puppy.
Something to consider too is whether you can keep him safe when he gets in over his head with another dog.
You should be able to physically pick him up and take him away from a situation.
If you can’t lift a 13-lb. dog, then you may want to opt for a breed who’s a little less bold.
Affenpinscher Price – How Much Do Affenpinschers Cost?
As mentioned earlier, the price of an Affenpinscher ranges from $800 to $2,000.
As far as breeder prices go, the Affenpinscher price range certainly isn’t the worst out there.
However, you may opt to rescue or adopt an Affenpinscher – both to save a couple of dollars…and a dog.
Demand
While the Affenpinscher is still a popular breed in his native Germany, over here in the States he’s not as high in demand.
This is both a good and a bad thing.
This means that you won’t have to wait long for a puppy once you find the Affenpinscher breeder that you like.
However, because the breed is rare, you’re more likely to encounter breeders who will try to take advantage of you and charge you a higher price.
Do your research before you buy to ensure you are getting exactly what you intend to pay for – and that what you intend to pay is reasonable.
Affenpinscher Rescue and Adoption
You may want to consider reaching out to the Affenpinscher Rescue of America organization if you are interested in rescuing an Affenpinscher.
Organizations like this specialize in re-homing a particular breed of dog. They usually foster their dogs until they can find just the right home for them.
This is great because it helps “work out the kinks” in a dog to help him appear more appealing for adoption.
For this reason, though, rescuing a dog can be – and usually is – more expensive than adopting a dog from the shelter.
However, with rescues costing around $400 to $500 and shelters charging around $150, there’s only a difference of around $150 to $200 if you choose to rescue.
Checkout our Complete Guide to Breeders:
We wrote the definitive guide on finding, selecting, and dealing with dog breeders. This will give you the smarts and confidence to save you money, time and heartache. Read On…
Affenpinscher Cost of Ownership
Along with the price you initially pay for a dog, you also must factor cost of ownership into the equation.
How much is it going to cost you to feed the dog every month? And will he have any particular health conditions you might need to treat?
What about grooming? Will you be able to do it yourself, or will you require help?
Here is a list of some of the expenses to consider before adopting an Affenpinscher.
Cost of Food
With most, if not all, small breeds, the cost of food isn’t too much of a concern.
The only time it gets pricey is if you opt for a higher quality of food for your dog.
You should always check with your vet on the best possible brand of food for your dog.
Usually, though, one of those large dog food bags costs around $35 – which should be more than enough food to feed an Affenpinscher for a couple of months.
Health Care Expenses
There are quite a few health conditions out there that you need to watch out for with this breed.
However, don’t get scared – just because Affenpinschers can come down with these conditions does not guarantee that your Affenpinscher will.
Keep an eye out for symptoms of any of the following conditions:
- Cushings disease
- Dental disease
- Eye problems, like cataracts or glaucoma
- Heart disease
- Hernias
- Hyperthyroidism
- Liver shunt
- Orthopedic issues, like luxating patella, Legg-Calve-Perthes disease, and hip dysplasia
- Reverse sneezing
- Skin problems, like cysts, itchy skin, and pyoderma
- Von Willebrand’s disease
And, of course, take your dog to the vet at the first sign of infection, as this is your best shot at getting ahead of the condition.
Some of these conditions may require supplements, medication, and even surgery. These are all important factors to weigh before you ultimately say “yes” to the sale.
Helpful Dog Health Resource:
Training Programs
Some dogs you can train yourself without issue. The Affenpinscher, however, may give you a run for your money.
Between his “I don’t care that I’m small” attitude and his tendency to get into bad behavior, you may have your work cut out with this one.
Consider enrolling him in obedience classes, which he can do with a group or one-on-one.
For this breed, a group setting may be your best bet, as it can teach him how he should interact with other dogs.
You can also opt for a trainer to come to your house, rather than bring him to a class, but of course, this costs extra.
Helpful Dog Training Resource:
For help with training your dog, you should take a look at The Online Dog Trainer by Doggy Dan. Doggy Dan is an expert Dog Trainer based in New Zealand. His online resource contains Hundreds of Excellent Dog Training Videos that will take you step-by-step through the process of developing a healthy, happy well-behaved dog.
Grooming Costs
Another factor to consider in the overall Affenpinscher dog price is grooming.
He does need a fair amount of grooming, but it may be something you can keep up with on your own.
For instance, he needs you to brush his coat twice a week, using a brush first, then a metal comb.
Because he’s prone to dental disease, you’ll need to brush his teeth regularly.
You also need to trim his coat every couple of months, particularly the hair on his nose to keep it out of his eyes.
If this seems like too much, or if you think you’ll forget to keep him on a grooming schedule, you may want to pay a groomer to do it for you.
It’s sometimes worth it to pay for the peace of mind. Do a little research, though, on local groomers in your area before settling for the first one you see.
Kailyn has worked as a professional freelance writer since 2012, and during that time she has written about nearly every dog breed imaginable. Her mother loved Collies, and so Kailyn grew up with three of them throughout her childhood – including a blonde one who was half-blind! Now her home belongs to her first official dog, Macho, a Dogo Argentino rescue.
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