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Affenpoo (Affenpinscher & Poodle Mix): Info, Pics, Traits, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Affenpoo (Affenpinscher & Poodle Mix)

Height: 10 – 20 inches
Weight: 10 – 25 pounds
Lifespan: 12 – 16 years
Colors: Brown, Grey, Tan, Black
Suitable for: Families with older children, seniors, couples, singles, apartment dwellers
Temperament: Loyal & loving, affectionate, alert, protective, easy-going

A petite and puffy designer dog breed, the Affenpoo has a big personality wrapped up in a fluffy, pint-sized package. The result of breeding an Affenpinscher with a Poodle, this spunky little guy is the perfect pup for people that live in a city apartment or don’t have a yard.

If you’re considering adding an Affenpoo to your household, here is everything you need to know about this hybrid breed.

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Affenpoo Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Affenpoo is a type of designer dog breed. This differentiates them from a typical mutt in the fact that two purebred breeds were intentionally crossed to develop this cute little fluff ball.

There are numerous benefits to adding a dynamic designer dog to your family. Firstly, a hybrid dog can offer you the best attributes of two different breeds. For example, the Affenpoo boasts the affectionate of an Affenpinscher and the smarts of a Poodle.

However, before you go out and scoop up an adorable Affenpoo puppy from the first breeder you find, you want to ensure that you’re getting your new puppy from a high-quality and reputable dog breeder.

The demand for designer dog breeds has vastly increased over the years. Unfortunately, this has resulted in the rise of bad breeders, including backyard breeders and puppy mills. In fact, there are more than 10,000 puppy mills operating in the United States today.

A puppy mill is a large-scale commercial dog breeding facility that almost totally disregards the wellbeing of the puppies they are producing, as well as the parents. While dogs that are sold from puppy mills have extremely cheap price tags, they are often plagued by numerous health and behavioral problems. This can cost you a lot of money and heartache in the long run.

Some health problems that can afflict dogs bred at a puppy mill include:

  • Heart disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Respiratory disorders
  • Deafness
  • Eye issues, such as glaucoma or cataracts
  • Musculoskeletal disorders, including hip dysplasia or luxating patellas
  • Upper respiratory infections
  • Mange and mites
  • Fleas
  • Kennel cough
  • Intestinal parasites

On top of all of those health issues, puppy mill dogs can also suffer from a myriad of behavioral problems, such as:

  • Anxiety
  • Fear
  • Hoarding food or toys
  • Difficulty being housebroken
  • Sensitivity to light
  • Difficulty being leash trained

While you’re on the hunt for the perfect Affenpoo pup, it’s critical to purchase one from only trustworthy, responsible dog breeders.

There are many steps that you can take in order to find a good breeder in your area. Firstly, you can ask your network of friends and family members for their recommendations. You can also ask your local vet, groomer, or dog trainer for referrals. Lastly, you can visit dog shows in your neighborhood and chat with the dog owners there.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Affenpoo

1. One of their parent dog breeds is known as the “Monkey Dog.”

The Affenpinscher is commonly referred to as the “Monkey Dog” because its face highly resembles that of a monkey’s


2. They descend from agile hunters.

The Affenpoo’s other parent breed, the Poodle, was originally developed to be water retrievers and bring back ducks to their masters.


3. They’ve had famous owners.

Tons of famous people have owned Poodles, including Elvis Presley, Marilyn Monroe, and Elizabeth Taylor.

Parent Breeds of the Affenpoo
Image Credit: (L) Didkovska Ilona, Shutterstock | (R) Jumpstory

Divider 3Temperament & Intelligence of the Affenpoo 🧠

Before you bring an Affenpoo puppy home, it’s essential to know if this hybrid breed’s personality is right for you and your family. In order to fully understand the Affenpoo’s disposition and intelligence, you should be taking a close look at the temperament of his two parent dog breeds.

The Affenpinscher is a charming breed with a lively and loving personality. Despite its small size, this livewire dog has a huge personality. They are curious, alert, and fearless. Very smart, the Affenpinscher would not do well in a household with smaller pets, as they were originally developed to hunt rodents.

The Poodle is a very intelligent breed with a lot of love to give. Easily trainable, this breed picks up on tricks effortlessly. Extremely loyal, a Poodle can develop a deep bond with his family members.

To quickly sum it up, your Affenpoo is smart, loving, and loves affectionate.

Are Affenpoos Good for Families? 🏡

Yes, the Affenpoo makes a fantastic pet for families with older children. Younger kids may not fully comprehend the Affenpoo’s small size, and may accidentally injure him while rough-housing.

Do Affenpoos Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Affenpoo is a spunky and sociable dog that loves other animals. It’s important to start socializing this designer dog from the start to ensure yours is confident and calm around new dogs.

Divider 4Things to Know When Owning an Affenpoo

Your Affenpoo will require a lot of love and time from you, including routine exercise and plenty of playtime. Here is everything you need to know about how to care for an Affenpoo, from his diet to his grooming needs.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

Your Affenpoo will do best on a high-quality, grain-free kibble that is specially formulated for smaller dogs. You should be feeding him around 0.75 to 1.5 cups of dog food that is divided into two meals per day. Always select food that caters to your pup’s age, activity level, and weight. You can ask your vet for guidance.

Exercise 🐕

While the Affenpoo can thrive in a city apartment, he will need his daily dose of exercise. This type of dog has a moderate activity level and would do best with 30 to 45 minutes of physical activity every day.

Moreover, due to the Affenpoo’s high intelligence, he will need to be mentally stimulated as well to ward off boredom. Enrolling yours in a doggy daycare when you’re at work or providing him with an interactive dog toy will keep his mind occupied.

Training 🦮

Training your Affenpoo should be a breeze. Both of his parent dog breeds are highly intelligent and can learn new tricks easily. Positive reinforcement training, such as clicker training, works best for this dog.

It’s also important to note that along with training, your Affenpoo will need to be socialized with other animals and people from an early age. You can do this by allowing him to meet and interact with strangers on your daily walks and visiting your local dog park so that he can play with other pups.

Grooming ✂️

Your Affenpoo is a hypoallergenic dog with a curly, medium coat. While he will moderately shed, you will need to brush your Affenpoo at least once a week to prevent matting. Clip his nails and clean his ears as needed. We also recommend brushing your pet’s teeth once per day.

Health Conditions ❤️

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
  • Patellar luxation
Serious Conditions
  • Hip dysplasia

An overall very healthy little hybrid dog, the Affenpoo can be susceptible to some types of health issues as he gets older. This is why it’s critical to schedule routine wellness visits with your vet to catch potential concerns before they become more serious.

Divider 5Male vs Female

Male and female Affenpoos are generally about the same size and weight with no big personality differences.

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Final Thoughts

Whether you live in a big city or a quiet country, an Affenpoo could be a great addition to your household. Sassy and spirited, this hybrid dog breed needs positive reinforcement training, early socialization, and plenty of love and affection.

If you’re looking for a happy-go-lucky little pup, consider purchasing an Affenpoo dog today!

See also:


Featured Image Credit | Left: Affenpinscher (Sbolotova, Shutterstock), Right: Poodle (Alla Darkina, Shutterstock)

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