Affen Spaniel dog breed belongs to the group of mixed breeds with an average life expectancy of 10-15 years.
Their Origin
Although Affen Spaniel is a relatively new breed, its parent breeds are well-known and loved by many people:
- Cocker Spaniel. It was originally a hunting dog that was one of the American Kennel Club’s top 10 AKC-certified breeds. Nowadays, Cocker Spaniels are mostly common household pets, although their usefulness as hunting dogs remains relevant.
- Affenpinscher. Originally, dogs of this breed were valued for their excellent rat-hunting skills. Now they are better known as loving and mischievous family companions.
Affen Spaniels have inherited the best traits from both breeds.
Nature of Affen Spaniels
Let us take a closer look at the
Affen Spaniel dog Characteristics.
Affen Spaniels are easy to train. They quickly memorize new commands and tricks. However, it is very important to use only gentle training methods, as Affen Spaniels are incredibly sensitive and react even to changes in their owner’s intonation. These dogs are very fond of children but children should be taught to treat this dog very delicately.
Affen Spaniels are known to be good watchdogs. The only downside to their guarding abilities is their tendency to make a lot of noise, which is why they are often considered unsuitable for living in apartments. They are very fond of walks and relaxed games, after those they will gladly rest on the sofa. If the walk is not too active, Affen Spaniels will tell you about it by barking loudly.
Affen Spaniel Dog Breed: Looks
Affen Spaniels are small breed dogs. Males and females have almost the same height of 10-15 inches but differ in weight: males weigh about 19 pounds and females about 14 pounds.
Affen Spaniel has a rectangular body. The legs are quite short and strong, the tail is thin and the neck is of medium length. The head is medium-sized, with an elongated muzzle and a well-defined transition from muzzle to forehead. The large floppy ears are set high. The nose is well-pigmented. The oval brown eyes with a consistently sweet-natured expression are of medium size.
The head is covered with short soft hair, and the whole body – with dense medium-length hair.
The color can be of any color but the most common shades include: black, black-popple, light-pale, and multicolor.
Affen Spaniel Care
Affen Spaniel is a dog breed that is generally characterized by good health. The dogs can live for 10 years without any problems. However, certain nuances are peculiar to this breed and require the attention of the owner.
Problems that can be encountered include seborrhea (dry and itchy skin), hip dysplasia, and obesity.
The care of the coat is of particular importance. Daily brushing is necessary. Their thick coat can be medium to long, curly or stiff. It is recommended that these dogs get a hair cut regularly. Regular hygiene routine includes frequent bathing. This helps to keep the dog in great shape. Special attention should be paid to the ears, where heavy strands can form and earwax can accumulate. Also, as with other breeds, it is important to regularly check the length of the Affen Spaniel’s nails.
The Affen Spaniel dog should be fed a diet typical of small dogs with medium energy levels. It is important to avoid overfeeding and provide a moderate amount of treats. Given the Affen Spaniel’s susceptibility to some skin problems, add Omega-3-rich foods to the diet.
