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 Purpose
Companion
history Date of Origin
1990s
ancestry Ancestry
Affenpinscher, Bichon Frise

Affenchon Health

Average Size
Male Affenchon size stats
Height: 9-11 inches Weight: 7-12 lbs
Female Affenchon size stats
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

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 Affenchon eyes
Brown
Nose Color Possibilities
black Affenchon nose
Black
Coat Color Possibilities
gray Affenchon coat
Gray
black Affenchon coat
Black
white Affenchon coat
White
red Affenchon coat
Red
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Affenchon straight 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
Pin Brush
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Comb
Comb
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Affenchon requires weekly brushing
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 activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
8 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
45 minutes
activity minutes

Affenchon Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
1 cups
cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$0.75 - $1.00
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$20.00 - $30.00
food bag monthly cost

Affenchon Height & Weight

6 Months
Male Affenchon size stats at six months
Height: 6.0 inches Weight: 4.5 lbs
Female Affenchon size stats at six months
Height: 6.0 inches Weight: 4.5 lbs
12 Months
Male Affenchon size stats at 12 months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 7.5 lbs
Female Affenchon size stats at 12 months
Height: 9.0 inches Weight: 7.5 lbs
18 Months
Male Affenchon size stats at 18 months
Height: 10.0 inches Weight: 9.5 lbs
Female Affenchon size stats at 18 months
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, 2 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
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