Affenpoo Basics
Also known as the Affendoodle, the Affenpoo is an adorable little dog that has a lot of personality.
These dogs combine the best traits of the Affenpinscher and Poodle, but they do require a bit of patience. So while their looks and friendliness may tempt you to bring one home, keep reading to learn more and determine if this pooch would be the right fit for your family.
The Affenpoo is a cross between a purebred Affenpinscher and Poodle.
Origin
The Affenpoo is a designer crossbreed from the United States. It was developed in the 1990s, during a time when designer dogs became popular.
Pedigree
The Affenpoo is a cross between a purebred Affenpinscher and Poodle.
Food / Diet
An Affenpoo should be fed a high quality canine diet. The amount that you feed will depend upon your dog’s size. If you are going to be feeding your dog dry food, you can start by providing your dog with ¾ to ½ cup of food. If your Affenpoo is larger than toy sized, he may need up to 1½ cups of food per day. Divide these portions into several servings throughout the day. Adjust the amount of dry food that you are feeding if you are also planning on giving your dog canned food.
Affenpoos are a pleasure to train, as these dogs are hardworking.
Training
Affenpoos are a pleasure to train, as these dogs are hardworking canines that are also highly intelligent and willing to please. Beware, though, that these dogs can also be surprisingly stubborn sometimes, and they might not want to do as you say. This could, therefore, make training your Affenpoo a bit of a challenge.
When training your dog, always remain patient, use positive reinforcement and rewards, and establish yourself as the pack leader. You can also keep your Affenpoo interested in the training by teaching him fun tricks.
Weight
A small-sized breed, the Affenpoo weighs between 10 and 25 pounds.
Temperament / Behavior
Affenpoos are social dogs that do not like being alone. They should not be left at home alone for long periods of time, so this breed may not be the best choice if you travel a lot or you work long hours. Separation anxiety and destructive behaviors could develop as a result of your dog becoming lonely and depressed, so be sure to spend plenty of time interacting with your pet.
This breed also benefits from mental stimulation, so giving your dog some puzzle toys is a good idea. When Affenpoos become bored, they can excessively bark and become destructive, so keeping a variety of toys within reach will help keep your pooch entertained.
Also, like the Poodle, the Affenpoo is protective and will bark when suspicious. For example, an unfamiliar person could cause your dog to start barking. These animals are curious and alert, and they can be good watchdogs. However, they can also be possessive, even with their own toys and bowls.
If you have young children, the Affenpoo may not be the best choice, as these dogs may not get along well with them. They are not very patient with children who do not know how to handle them gently. They will, however, get along well with older children who know how to handle them with care.
Common Health Problems
Like all other hybrid canine breeds, the Affenpoo may be susceptible to the health conditions that most commonly affect its parent breeds, but there is no guarantee that an individual Affenpoo will ever get any of those conditions.
Nevertheless, being aware of what potential ailments can afflict an Affenpoo will help you recognize problems early on and get them treated promptly. These include bloating, cataracts, hip dysplasia, and patellar luxation.
Life Expectancy
The Affenpoo has an average lifespan of 12 to 16 years.
Exercise Requirements
If you bring an Affenpoo into your family, you should expect that your dog will have moderate exercise requirements. You can take this small dog for a walk every day, but you should also provide him with toys so that he can play while inside your home.
Affenpoos are social dogs that do not like being alone.
Recognized Clubs
The Affenpoo is not recognized by the American Kennel Club, as it is considered to be a hybrid breed. However, this breed is recognized by the American Canine Hybrid Club (ACHC), the Designer Breed Registry (DBR), the Designer Dogs Kennel Club (DDKC), the Dog Registry of America, Inc. (DRA), and the International Designer Canine Registry (IDCR).
Coat
The hypoallergenic Affenpoo’s coat will be short to medium in length, and it will be curly just like the Poodle’s coat, with a coarse appearance. While shedding will be low, you should brush your dog’s coat at least once a week. This will prevent the hair from becoming matted. You can also bathe your dog whenever he gets too dirty.
Puppies
Affenpoo puppies will be very small, so they should be handled with care. Teach your children how to interact with your dog so he won’t get hurt and so he can learn to trust your kids.
Socializing an Affenpoo from a young age will also ensure that he will be a friendly and social dog, as well as comfortable around other people, children, and other pets.
Photo credit: bullcitydogs/Flickr; G/Flickr
