Best in Show, Affenpinscher
Westminster happened! Who watched? Did you see the beautiful Ewok that won? An Affenpinscher!
Banana Joe, an Affenpinscher, won best in show at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog show for 2013. Congratulations Banana Joe!
What on earth is an Affenpinscher? Of course I went straight to the AKC breed page to find out.
The Affenpinscher is a toy breed, only about a foot high at the shoulder. The coat is wiry, not silky like a Yorkie, and doesn’t grow like hair. Rather, these dogs should only need a good trimming up a couple of times a year. Do, however, keep them brushed regularly, in order to avoid the wiry, matted look. And because of their diminutive size, the Affenpinscher is not, perhaps, the best breed for a family with small children.
Here’s the opening blurb from the AKC site (it cracked me up):
One of the most ancient of toy dogs, the Affenpinscher originated in Central Europe (Munich, Germany and France), where they earned the nickname “little devil with a moustache.” During the 17th century, small terriers were frequently kept around stables, on farms or in stores where they served as ratters. Bred down in size, these small terriers became companions in the home and kept mice from overrunning their mistresses’ boudoirs.
Maybe this little dog can compete with Mary Ann and Ginger to keep my back yard mouse population down, yes? It goes on to say that they are smart and make good house and apartment pets, but need plenty of exercise. They are playful, usually getting along well with other pets (yay! – like chickens?).
Personality?
I popped over to the Affenpinscher Club page for the dog’s personality.
- Stamina
- Agility
- Courage
- Sensitivity
- Gentleness
- Travels well
- Clean
- Alert
- Protective
Sounds like the perfect man to me. Or the perfect dog. The page also says this tiny dog suffers from “big dog in a small body” syndrome, so make sure he doesn’t get drunk and go pick a fight with the rottweiler down the street. Chances are good he’ll lose.
Also, similar to many men (not my husband, mind you), they are supposedly difficult to house train.
I love how they wind up the personality description, though:
The Affen has a great many endearing little traits that you seldom find in other breeds. He will toss his toys in the air for long periods of time, walk on his back legs, looking like an organ grinder’s monkey, tucking his tail beneath him and sitting on his spine with back legs extended. Covering all of the Affen’s charming characteristics would take too long, but talk to Affen owners and you soon will discover why they say “Bet you can’t own just one!”
Is It the Dog For You?
The Affenpinscher is a beautiful dog, taking the Ewok title from my favorite Shih Tzu. If you’re a small dog fan, and have money for a new dog (my guess is that breed prices will skyrocket now that Banana Joe has won a big, beautiful silver cup at Westminster), this sounds like a wonderful dog. And as long as you have such a pretty pup, you might as well treat it right with all natural, 100% made in the USA chews from Jones Natural Chews. Let’s see … any of Jones’ jerkies will likely be a big hit with this little dog. The knuckles will also make for good gnawing, great for teeth and gums. If you’re going to have best in show, you might as well get the best treats, right?
One For Me
Banana Joe won Westminster four years ago, so this is obviously gently recycled. Since writing it, I’ve gotten my very own little Affenpinscher mix. Many of you have seen him here on the blog again and again. He’s a rescue dog from south Texas. And he’s my heart and soul, and everything this post describes. And more. So much more. Say hi to little Chewy.
Spreading the good chews …
Flea