Affenpinscher. Jerome Cushman

       EARLY HISTORY OF THE BREED

      The Affenpinscher has its origin in Germany. The progenitor of the breed was probably a rough-coated little ratter that survived in the central European countries by its clever personality and its rodent-killing abilities. The Flemish artist Jan Van Eyck (1390–1441) included in his painting The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami a scruffy terrier-type dog, placed facing the audience between the newlyweds. This is an example of the type of dog that probably was the ancestor of both the Brussels Griffon and the Affenpinscher. Albrecht Durer (1471–1525) from Nuremberg, Germany included a small dog in several of his woodcuts that suggest the existence of this “Long-haired Dwarf Terrier.” Seventeenth-century painter Gabriel Metsu (1629–1667) portrayed a little dog that looks very much like our contemporary Affenpinscher in his celebrated work A Soldier Receiving a Young Woman, which today hangs in the Louvre. Other dog enthusiasts claim these representations as early examples of their own breeds. One thing certain is that a small rough-coated household dog similar to the Affenpinscher existed and was admired for several centuries.

      In addition to the Affenpinscher, the Miniature Pinscher, the Miniature Schnauzer and the Brussels Griffon were all probably generated from this same type of dog. Later, with the infusion of other breeds plus selective breeding, the specifics of breed type developed and were promoted. For example, breeders crossed in the Pug to develop the Brussels Griffon, while others added the English Black and Tan Terrier to create the Miniature Pinscher. By adding a small, dark schnauzer-type hunting dog from southern Russia, the Miniature Schnauzer was created. In each of these breeds’ histories there were times when it became necessary to cross back into the associated breeds to keep the newer breed viable. In any case, the Affenpinscher is an old breed.

      Official records or formal breeding programs for this breed did not exist until the late 1800s. Dog show records from the 1870s and ‘80s in southern Germany, around Frankfurt and Munich, reflect that the breed was firmly established and exhibited. In an 1889 publication, The Canine Chronicle, there is a description of a special show in Frankfurt sponsored by a club for the German Toy Rat-terriers (Affenpinschers). “Affenpinscher” was first used for the name of the breed at this time. Until then the word “Affenpinscher” was used as an adjective. At this show there were classes for dogs weighing under 5 pounds and over 5 pounds. By the early 1900s these two size classifications seemed to disappear. The smaller ones assumed the former nickname, Affenpinscher, with the larger type being absorbed into the Miniature Schnauzer breed. Instead of its earlier function of being a “ratter,” the smaller Affenpinscher is more of a “mouser.” However, even today a large specimen of between 13 to 16 inches might appear in a closely line-bred litter. These larger throw-backs generally have great personalities and are of good breed type, except for the size and the fact that their muzzles may be a bit longer. This larger type usually makes an excellent companion for a family with young children.

       AFFENS IN ART

      One of the earliest visual records of the Affenpinscher’s existence is in a woodcut by Albrecht Durer (1471–1525). A portrait of a French-owned Affenpinscher by the Dutch artist Charles Verlai sometime before 1890 indicates that by then the breed was already becoming known outside its native Germany. The Affenpinscher also appears in some paintings by the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841–1919).

       A Victorian-era postcard showing an Affenpinscher of early type. Courtesy of the author.

      From Volume II (1903–1907) of the registration book for the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club (PSK), the Affenpinscher is listed for the first time as a separate breed. Fourteen specimens are recorded. Except for during World War I (1914–1918), the numbers continued to thrive until 1939, with the majority of the breed coming from the area around Munich. It seems that the Affenpinscher reached a high point in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. The people with wealth and fame in German society promoted the breed. It was often seen in dog acts on stage and in circuses. With the onset of World War II in 1939, the decline began, and the breed’s popularity was never again the same in Germany. Of late, the number of Affenpinschers born annually in Germany remains only in the teens.

      In early years the breed came in a variety of colors. Then under the leadership of the prominent breeder von Otto, a decision was made that a black coat best suited the personality of the breed. From 1917 to 1923, 60% of the Affenpinschers were of colors other than black. Gradually black became the predominant color. In 1935, 78% of the registered dogs were black. As late as 1954, 5% were still colors other than black. Now, throughout Europe and England, black is the preferred color, and no other color is encouraged or allowed to be exhibited. In North America the colors that were first described for the breed are accepted equally, and many of them are shown. However, the majority of Affens in America are black.

      The dogs represented in photographs from the early 1900s closely resemble today’s Affenpinschers. Obviously, the type for the breed was set early on and has been maintained over the years by a few devoted breeders around the world. It seems odd that this breed has never reached the popularity it deserves. Its greatest strides have been made in America and recently in England.

       ENTER THE BRUSSELS GRIFFON

      The Affenpinscher served as foundation stock for another toy breed, the Brussels Griffon, which descended from crosses between the Belgian street dog (Griffon D’Ecurie) and the Affenpinscher, with later crosses to the Pug and the Ruby Spaniel. During World War II, when Affenpinschers became almost extinct, German breeders crossed Affenpinschers back to the Brussels Griffon, resulting in undershot jaws and shorter muzzles. The modern Brussels Griffon is generally more outgoing than the Affenpinscher, with a shorter nose and rounder head. While black Brussels Griffons are permitted, that breed is usually red, belge or black and tan.

       Janet Brook’s rendering in oil of a black Affenpinscher head. Courtesy of the author.

       THE AFFENPINSCHER IN AMERICA

      Affenpinschers were first listed in the American Kennel Club stud book in November 1936. At this time an abbreviated translation of the German standard was accepted as the American breed standard. The first entry in the stud book was for Nolli v Anwander. This was a German female imported in whelp by Mrs. Bessie Mally of Cicero, Illinois. The first male that she imported was Osko von der Franziskusklause. From 1936 to 1940, Mrs. Mally had 22 Affenpinschers listed in the stud books. During these years, 27 dogs were registered with the AKC. A few other enthusiasts also had imports or bred with Mrs. Mally’s dogs. During this period Thelma D. Wolfe exhibited her dog, named Duke of Wolfe II. By some accounts this dog became a champion. However, October 1940 was the last Affenpinscher entry in the Stud Book for the next nine years. Sadly, there are no records or reasons given for this abrupt end of the breeding of Affenpinschers in America. Likely US involvement with the Allies in World War II and the accompanying hostilities toward all things German led to the Affenpinscher’s

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