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Affenwich |
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He is not recognized by the F.C.I. |
Origin |
Germany <> Great Britain -> U.S.A. | |
Translation |
Francis Vandersteen |
A brief presentation of the Affenwich |
| The Affenwich is a hybrid breed, sometimes called a designer dog, created by crossing an Affenpinscher and a Norwich Terrier. Both parent breeds are hypoallergenic and have low shedding coats that need to be brushed several times a week to prevent tangling. Grooming and clipping are necessary, usually on a monthly basis. The Affenwich has an innate hunting instinct and may not be suitable for families with small pets such as gerbils, guinea pigs or rabbits. This active hybrid loves to dig, so outdoor supervision is always recommended. It's also advisable to spend time with your pet when outdoors, as this breed likes to vocalize and can become a barker if left without company. With the right training and attention, the Affenwich can be a wonderful, affectionate family companion. |
History of the Affenwich |
| The Affenwich is a modern hybrid breed. Although there isn't much documentation on their history, we do know that the Affenpinscher, parent of this faithful hybrid, is a toy breed of German origin, while the Norwich Terrier is an English breed. |
A little of the Affenpinscher |
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| Originally, the Affenpinscher was a medium-sized farm or store dog used to hunt mice and rats. During the 18th and 19th centuries, Affenpinschers were bred to be much smaller and became companion dogs. The breeds used to develop the small Affenpinscher were the Pug, the smooth-coated German Pinscher and the silky Pinscher. The Affenpinscher was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1936. | ||
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| Standard of the Affenpinscher | ||
A little of the Norwich Terrier |
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| The Norwich Terrier originated in the United Kingdom. It was used as a ratter and to help flush foxes from their dens. In the 19th century, students at Cambridge University would bring Norwich Terriers onto the school grounds to hunt rats and keep them as companions. These dogs were named Trumpington Terriers, after the street where many of the students lived. The Norwich Terrier and Norfolk Terrier were classified in the same breed, both were called Norwich Terriers, with two different types of ears. The Norfolk Terrier has V-shaped floppy ears and the Norwich Terrier has pointed ears. In 1964, the British Kennel Club decided to separate them into two different breeds. In 1979, the American Kennel Club also decided to separate the two different breeds into the Norwich Terrier and the Norfolk Terrier. The Norwich Terrier was officially recognized by the AKC in 1936. | ||
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| Standard of the Norwich Terrier |
Appearance of the Affenwich |
| The Affenwich is a cross between the Affenpinscher and the Norwich. Affenwich puppies will have appearance characteristics of both breeds. The look of the Affenwich will vary, even within the same litter. Hybrid siblings may have different markings, colors and facial expressions, and may also vary in size. The Affenwich is small and may have a shaggy, rough, hard coat. Colors can be wheaten, black and tan, black, red, grizzle, or black and gray. Both breeds have an endearing facial expression that will be passed on to their precious litter. Norwich Terriers and Affenpinschers generally have docked tails. The Affenpinscher's ears may be pointed or floppy. Whichever parent your puppy is named after, he'll be an adorable, confident dog. |
Temperament of the Affenwich |
| As both parent breeds are feisty and like to move, the Affenwich will need daily walks. This hybrid's ancestors were bred to hunt, so the Affenwich can easily become bored. If left outside unsupervised, the Affenwich can easily become bored. It's important to offer him fun activities and a variety of toys. Both parent breeds are fearless and intelligent, with a hint of stubbornness. They can be excellent watchdogs, but can also be a bit whiny if not corrected. Affenwiches can be aggressive towards food. They love children, but must be supervised at all times in a home with young children. The Affenwich will need training, rules and limits. Crate training can help with your puppy's education if you have difficulties in this area. |
Needs and activities of the Affenwich |
| A mix of Affenpinscher and Norwich Terrier can be a recipe for frustration and disaster if not given enough space to run and stretch their legs. Both breeds can be very noisy and can easily become nuisance barkers. When visiting dog parks, make sure your dog knows basic manners and avoid parks where large dogs play. Your mighty little dog will think he can run with the big boys and may even try to boss them around. Small breed dogs can get plenty of exercise simply by going for a long walk or playing games in the garden. Make sure you spend plenty of time with your dog doing physical activities. |
Maintenance of the Affenwich |
| The Affenwich needs to be brushed and combed several times a week, regardless of the consistency of its coat, as it can become matted. Monthly grooming and clipping will be necessary, and the hair growing around its eyes can cause irritation and will need trimming. Patience and gentleness are recommended to ensure a positive grooming experience for both owner and dog. Affenpinschers and Norwich Terriers are both considered hypoallergenic breeds. Affenwich nails should be trimmed every month to prevent breakage or injury. If your Affenwich has floppy ears, they should be cleaned weekly. Your vet may recommend an ear wash. |
English (United Kingdom) 
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