I am a mad dog lover, and one of my favorite dog breeds is the Affen Spaniel!
A breed that is usually small-sized, the Affen Spaniel Dog breed was bred by cross-breeding the Affenpinscher and the Cocker spaniel. The species, which is relatively new to the pet world, is estimated to have appeared in the 2000s.
About the breed
They are rare and are a favorite among people. Known to be very active dogs, they are playful and have a mischievous trait that adds to how endearing they are. The Affen spaniel is also an intelligent dog that is good with canine friends and kids. They are also easily trainable.
The Affen Spaniels make good watchdogs because of their curious and alert nature.
Affen Spaniel Dog Breed History
A new hybrid breed discovered in the 2000s, the Affen spaniel has the Affenpinscher dog and the Spaniel breed as its parent. The Spaniel breed is said to belong to Spain originally and was brought to England during the reign of Caesar.
They were historically used for hunting and as water dogs, slowly evolving into a smaller toy breed – popularly known as the Cocker Spaniel. Meanwhile, the other parent breed, Affenpinschers, is originally from Germany, where they were used as ratting dogs on farms.
Even though they do not share the fame of the cocker spaniel breed, the Affenpinschers are very agile and good hunters. The Affen Spaniel retains the usefulness and dependability seen in a cocker spaniel and the agility and protectiveness seen in the Affenpinscher.
These are just a few; you will be more fascinated when I tell you about this breed’s interesting characteristics.
Affen Spaniel Dog Breed Job Card / Overview
| Breed Name | Affen Spaniel |
| Other Name | Cocker Spaniel |
| Type of Dog Breed | Mixed/Crossbreed/Hybrid |
| Origin | England; Germany; France |
| Born of | Affenpinscher and Cocker Spaniel |
| Persona | Loyalty and protective |
| Apartment Living | Adapts well to apartment living |
| Friendly to other pets | Yes |
| Diseases | Hip and elbow dysplasia; Patent Ductus Arteriosus; legg-calve-perthes disease; Cataract; Seborrhea |
| Health expectancy | Healthy |
| Ability to reason and understand | Intelligent |
| Life Expectancy | 10 – 15 years |
| Coat Type | Medium length fur |
| Coat Colors | Salt and pepper, gray, golden, dark brown, chocolate, light brown and black |
| Level of Grooming | Lots of grooming |
| Level of Shedding | Medium shedding |
| Ease of training | Easy to train |
| Level of Vitality | High |
| Level of Exercise Ideally Required | High; upto to 35 – 40 minutes of daily exercise |
| Puppies | 2 – 8 puppies |
What to know
● A perfect companion, they are easily trainable because of their intelligence. But this does not mean they are not fun-loving.
● They can be particularly mischievous and therefore are good pets for homes with children.
● They have this silly side to them that makes them highly endearing, but they have a completely contrasting side where they are alert and curious, making them both good playmates and excellent watchdogs.
Now without wasting any time, let’s dive into the characteristics of this breed ⤵️
Characteristics
Adaptability
Even when they bloom in a house with a big backyard, they can adapt to apartment living. These dog breeds adapt quite well to the apartments. They are moderately adaptive to being alone and in cold weather.
Adaptability
Prefers being unescorted
Ideal for first-time dog owners
Affinity towards cold weather
Affinity toward hot weather
Affinity toward hot weather
Friendliness
They tend to bark, which adds to their extremely protective nature and makes them appear hostile toward strangers. They are easygoing and are good with children and other pets.
That being said, caution is to be exercised when your Affen Spaniel interacts with children.
Friendliness
Loves other dogs
Loves being around family
Amicable to strangers
Loves being around kids
Personality
The Affen Spaniels are not very hard to handle; they are easy to train and adapt easily to new habitats. They have an inherent need to please and are very loyal.
They are very good at learning new tricks and have a very obedient nature. They bark a lot and are naturally alert because of their ancestry as watchdogs.
Affen Spaniels like a good 35 to 40-minute walk every day; and a good game of fetch.
They are known to be a dog breed extremely loyal to their family, and this becomes an issue when the Affen needs to move to another household by some chance.
Temperament
Friendly with Kids
These dogs are very friendly with kids. They love to play around with them. They can make very strong and affectionate bonds with their family members. They are friendly towards strangers. This breed loves children but cannot tolerate rough handling.
Amicable to Other Pets
These playful and excitable dogs aren’t known for any kind of reactivity towards other pets and dogs. They are very friendly towards other pets and dogs. They can typically coexist peacefully with each other.
Barking Tendencies
These dogs have inherited barking tendencies from their parents. Their barking tendencies are stimulated by environmental and potential factors and sometimes their personalities.
If they bark a lot, then maybe some small kid has handled him roughly or boredom has hit him. A good game of fetch can help him to calm down.
Possibilities of staying alone
Dogs Are social; leaving them alone for a long time can give them separation issues. They have a medium tolerance to being left alone. These dogs are highly satisfied with a casual walk and some good engaging play such as fetch.
Male vs. Female Attitude
The heights of both the male and female dogs are similar when it comes to the Affen Spaniel. The females usually are lighter than the male dogs as well.
One of the significant differences observed between a male and a female Affen Spaniel is in their appearance, and the Affen Spaniel male dogs have more masculine features than the Affen Spaniel female dogs.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Adapts very well to lifestyle changes and all living environments.
- Loves other pets and dogs.
- Have strong and affectionate bonds with family members.
Cons
- They tend to have separation anxiety issues when left alone for a long time.
- Have very little tolerance to hot weather.
- Does not love to travel much.
Appearance
General Appearance
These Affen Spaniels are medium-sized dogs. They have short, pushed-back muzzles, large dark brown eyes, and ears.
These spaniels are well-built dogs with small legs and a mid-wide body. Their curly and silky fur will make your heart go aww.
The dropped hung, and flopped-down ears of these breeds will win your heart.
Coat color
Some of the colors that are highly likely for the coat of an Affen Spaniel are salt and pepper, gray, golden, dark brown, chocolate, light brown, and black.
The coat color makes their appearance even cuter.
Shedding
The shedding rate of an Affen Spaniel is very low. But these dog breeds require a lot of grooming to be maintained.
Visits to a professional groomer should be scheduled every 4-5 weeks. Their hair is also to be brushed once every day.
Excessive bathing can strip the natural oil, leading to your Affen Spaniel appearing unhealthy and developing skin conditions.
Taking care of your cute pet will make your bond, even more, stronger.
Size
A medium to small-sized dog, the Affen Spaniel is generally not smaller than an Affenshire dog breed, nor is it bigger than a Cocker Spaniel.
Weighing between 13 to 19 pounds, with a height of 10 to 12 inches, these dog breeds have a pushed-back and short muzzle with big eyes. These dog breeds have brown ears.
The Affen Spaniels often tend to look a little heavier than they are. They are, on the whole, a sturdy and well-built dog breed. They have short legs and medium-sized bodies.
Their coats are silky and curly, and like their body size, the length of their hair falls in the middle too.
| Male | Female | |
|---|---|---|
| Height | 10-20” | 10-18” |
| Weight | 15-20 lbs | 15-20 lbs |
Health
The conditions mentioned below are also common in the Affen Spaniel’s parent breeds. Timely consultations with a veterinarian will ensure that the Affen Spaniel lives happily and healthily.
| Health Problems |
|---|
| Hip and elbow dysplasia |
| Legg-calve-perthes disease |
| Seborrhea |
| Patent Ductus Arteriosus |
| Cataracts |
| Health Test |
|---|
| Eye tests |
| Hip checkup |
| Heart exams |
| Skin Scraping |
| X-Rays |
| Physical Examination |
Health And Grooming
Shedding level
Drool Capacity
Grooming capability
Chances of weight gain
Overall health
Breed Size
Maintenance and Care
The paw parents are always worried about how to care for their small members.
The Affen Spaniels are high-maintenance dogs requiring grooming every 4 to 5 weeks.
The Affen Spaniel has a floppy brown ear, which leads to the detection of the accumulation of dirt and other harmful things. This may cause bacterial infection or maggot infection in your dog’s ear. To prevent this, it is advised that you check their ears regularly.
Aside from that, the Affen Spaniel is known to be a breed that requires lots and lots of grooming. Their dense coat, which is of a medium length, should be brushed through with a stiff-bristled brush at least once a day so that they don’t form tangles.
The hair around their foot and their ears needs to be trimmed every month, which requires monthly visits to the groomer.
Do not overdo it when it comes to bathing your Affen Spaniel because you do not want to strip its skin of its natural oil. Ear cleansing, teeth brushing, and nail trimming should be prioritized.
Their curly manes may not be very long but tend to get tangled easily. Aside from the recommended number of visits with a groomer, the Affen Spaniel will also require their coats to be brushed through every day, at least once.
The hair on their foot pad, eyes, and ears tends to grow longer than what is comfortable, which should be trimmed too.
Food and Nutrition
Like every other dog, the Affen Spaniel will also need a well-balanced diet. These dog breeds, like their cousin, the Cocker Spaniel, are food lovers and will force you to feed them more than what is required.
It does not matter whether you are feeding them home-cooked meals or packed dog food; keep them to twice a day and not anymore.
Since these breeds are likely to develop issues with their teeth, it is recommended that dry dog food is given so that any dirt or tartar stuck to their teeth is removed when they chew the kibble.
Food Cost
For your Affen Spaniel dog, dry dog food is recommended as it will be perfect for their teeth. The monthly costs for the dry dog foods will be around $40-$60.
Exercise and Activity Level
A walk every day of not less than 35 minutes is a must for the Affen Spaniel, who tends to get bored easily.
Walking can be alternated with running, swimming, or even a game of fetch. Their love for swimming comes from their Spaniel parents, who are known to be water lovers.
These dogs are very adventurous; when something interesting strikes their eyes, they can go astray, so be extra careful to watch them. An Affen Spaniel without regular exercise is at risk of growing obese.
Physical Requirements
Level of vitality
Ferocity
Physical movements
Loves to play
Trainability
The Affen Spaniels are moderately easy to train. They are cute but stubborn at times. They have a high intelligence level and are highly active and energetic. They can give you a tough time when you are training them.
So being patient and consistent is the key to giving them healthy training. Once you complete the training, you can be assured that you have the best dog with you.
Trainability
Training potential
Capability to reason
Popping everything into the mouth
Hunting capabilities
Love for traveling
Barking Potentiality
Interesting Facts
● A decade later, this breed was the most popular breed of the decade.
● Before the development of rifles, Spaniels were the bird hunter’s helpers when the dogs had been used along with nets.
● Richard Nixon, the Vice President, had a Cocker Spaniel named Checkers who figured in U.S. political history.
Conclusion
An intelligent and loving breed, the Affen spaniels are tenacious pups who are smart and active and have an independent streak. They are very affectionate dogs, but if you want to become the center of their world, make sure to give them a lot of affection and attention.
So it’s a lot of information that you now know about Affen Spaniels. Adopt these fur creatures soon.
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FAQs For Affen Spaniel Dog Breed…
What is a peculiar feature of the Affen Spaniel?
They have a shaggy mane and floppy ears.
Are Affen Spaniels barkers?
The Affen Spaniels can be barkers, especially at the approach of strangers.
Are Affen Spaniels good with other pets?
Affen Spaniels are known to coexist with other pets pretty well.
I am a passionate animal lover with a lifelong commitment to pet care. With over a decade of experience as a pet owner, I’ve nurtured a variety of furry and feathered friends, from cats and dogs to birds and reptiles. I possess a deep understanding of their unique needs, behavior, and health. My mission is to share my knowledge and insights to help fellow pet enthusiasts provide the best possible care for their beloved companions.