Affenchon
12-15 yrs
7-12 lbs
9-11"
United States

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Affenchon

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Dog Breeds
Affenchon

7-12 lbs

9-11"

United States

Affenpinscher

Bichon Frise

The Affenchon dog is a mix between the Affenpinscher and the Bichon Frise. With both of these dogs being small in size and low in shedding levels, your Affenchon will be the same. Other characteristics that this canine will likely develop from the parent breeds are the tendency to bark and the need for early socialization. Because both of the parent breeds need regular coat clipping, be prepared to learn how to keep your Affenchon looking trimmed and stylish. This hybrid dog is known to get along well with other pets but can be suspicious or timid around strangers. They do well in any environment, as long as it is not too hot. Since they are so small and fragile, these dogs should ideally be kept in a home that does not have young children as they could accidentally get hurt.

                
                Purpose
              
Companion

                Date of Origin
              
1990s

                Ancestry
              
Affenpinscher, Bichon Frise

Affenchon Health

Average Size

Height: 9-11 inches Weight: 7-12 lbs

Major Concerns

Patellar Luxation
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease

Minor Concerns

Cataracts

Occasional Diagnoses

Allergies
Eye Problems
Corneal Dystrophy

Occasional Tests

Eye Examination
X-ray imaging
Complete Physical Examination
Allergy Testing

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Affenchon Breed History

Because the Affenchon is a very modern breed, documentation on their history is limited. However, the ancient Affenpinscher dog is a breed that originated in Germany with early paintings showing them in homelife as far back as the 1500’s. The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest known breeds of dog, and although the exact year of origin is unknown, history notes that these dogs were bred and used as farm dogs and to hunt rats in very early times. They became companion pets in the 18th and 19th centuries and in modern times, the Affenpinscher still makes a great companion dog and also possesses skills at hunting rats and being watchdogs. The Affenpinscher is an ancestor of the Griffon Bruxellois and the Griffon Belge. The Bichon Frise dates back all the way to the 13th century. Spanish sailors discovered these cute little dogs and brought them all around the world, where they became popular pets and were also favorites in the royal courts of the French. This breed is a relative of the Maltese and is known to have been a favorite in all classes of people, from ancient Royalty to servicemen in World War I. Always agile and spunky, the Bichon Frise characteristics combined with the working dog personality of the ancient Affenpinscher makes for a great addition to the family.

Affenchon Breed Appearance

The Affenchon dog is a hybrid between the Bichon Frise and the Affenpinscher. Your pet will develop characteristics from both of these breeds. The Bichon Frise is a small dog with a puffy, curly white coat and dark eyes and nose. They have a height range of 9 to 11 inches, and a healthy dog of this breed will weigh anywhere between 7 to 12 pounds. The Affenpinscher, which is another small dog, will be on average 9 to 11.5 inches tall and as a full grown adult will not weigh more than 7 to 9 pounds. Their coats are described as more shaggy and wiry. Although the exact appearance of the Affenchon is hard to determine since we can never be certain of which parent breed a puppy will look like the most, we do know that the appearance will lie somewhere in between, with the potential for a curly, wiry coat. Affenchons are typically feisty with a bright eyed expression.

Eye Color Possibilities

Brown

Nose Color Possibilities

Black

Coat Color Possibilities

Gray

Black

White

Red

Coat Length

Short Medium Long

Coat Density

Sparse Normal Dense

Coat Texture

Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Affenchon Breed Maintenance

All dogs, no matter what breed, will require dental care. Typically, small breeds like the Affenchon are more predisposed to gum disease. Make it a habit to brush your dog’s teeth every day; at the very least once or twice a week should be the minimum. Nails should also be trimmed as often as necessary, which will most likely be one to two times a month, or less frequently if they get worn down naturally. Although this breed is considered hypoallergenic and sheds very little, they should still get brushed regularly. If the coat of your Affenchon is similar to the wiry fur of the Affenpinscher, they might also need to be clipped or trimmed a few times per year. The curly coat of the Bichon Frise also needs to be clipped frequently and an Affenchon with more curls will benefit from daily grooming. Be patient, breaking up any matted areas of fur gently with your fingers before attempting the comb and brush. Your Affenchon will cooperate better if the grooming session is a pleasant experience. Alternately, some owners will prefer to have a groomer shampoo and clip their Affenchon every four to six weeks or so, where the whole package can include trimming, nail care and ear cleaning.

Brushes for Affenchon

Pin Brush

Slicker Brush

Comb

Nail Clipper

Brushing Frequency

Daily Weekly Monthly

Affenchon Temperament

These unique hybrid dogs are always happy but can be hyper. Like all dogs that join your family, the Affenchon should undergo basic obedience training. Commands like sit, stay and come will help you keep your dog under control, even when they get excited. These dogs are known to be very vocal and like to bark, so a quiet command may also prove to be useful. The Affenpinscher dog is known to be suspicious of strangers and is a breed that will definitely need lots of socialization as a puppy. He will also do well with pets, but not so much with young children. They can be stubborn and will take advantage of what they can get. Therefore, they need kind but firm owners that can be confident leaders. The Bichon Frise is a friendly dog that will love spending time with their family, but is known to be shy and can develop separation anxiety, and will also require lots of socialization. These dogs as well will bark a lot and can be hard to housetrain. However, with patience and perseverance, both of these breeds can be trained and become obedient and respectful pets. Since the Affenchon is a combination of the Affenpinscher and the Bichon Frise, the temperament will be similar to those breeds.

Affenchon Activity Requirements

The Affenpinscher and the Bichon Frise are hyper toy breeds. Without proper training they can almost become unbearable to live with. As part of their training, you should incorporate at least 45 minutes a day of physical exercise and at least 30 minutes a day of mental exercises. You can combine the physical and mental exercise activities by hiding toys or using interactive toys that make him think and move. If he does not get enough exercise, your dog can easily become a nuisance to your family and your neighbors. If going to dog parks for his exercise, be sure he knows his manners and social graces so he does not get into trouble with a larger dog.

Activity Level

                  Low
                  Medium
                  High
                
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles

Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes

Similar Maintenance Breeds to Affenchon

Similarly Sized Breeds to Affenchon

Affenchon Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00

Affenchon Height & Weight

6 Months

                  Height: 6.0 inches
                  Weight: 4.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 6.0 inches
                  Weight: 4.5 lbs
                
12 Months

                  Height: 9.0 inches
                  Weight: 7.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 9.0 inches
                  Weight: 7.5 lbs
                
18 Months

                  Height: 10.0 inches
                  Weight: 9.5 lbs
                
                  Height: 10.0 inches
                  Weight: 9.5 lbs

Affenchon Owner Experiences

Nikco

1 Year

5 People

House & Yard

Health

Grooming

Friendliness

Energy

Trainability

Pastimes

Playing in the snow

Tug-of-war

Swim

Run

Tracking

Playful,NIce and Affectionate

3 years, 6 months ago

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