Have you ever heard of an Affenpoo? Me eithr! Let’s devolve into the Pros and Cons of Owning an Affenpoo. Well, these unique breeds are starting to take off in popularity. But, it can be hard to find out more about them. We have compiled a fantastic pro and cons list about the Affenpoo breed. At the end of this article, you will feel confident about if this breed is right for you. But, first, let’s investigate how this breed came about.
Origins
Knowing a breed’s origin can give you a better idea about how they will fit in with your lifestyle. An Affenpoo is a hybrid breed. They are a mix of the Affenpinscher and the Poodle. Affenpoos are not a breed all on its own and therefore does not come with any AKC certifications. The first Affenpoo cross came up in the ’90s during the spike in Doodle popularity. They are a designer breed that has deep roots.
The Affenpinscher is a German breed that originated in the 1600s. They are bred specifically for hunting mice and rats. And, they have always done a great job at this task. They are known to be dedicated to their family, but a stubborn breed. These dogs are not for beginners and require constant and firm training.
Poodles are the part that makes Doodles all related. They are known for their loving and loyal nature. Their hypoallergenic coats are what makes them a prime candidate to be a designer breed mix. Poodles are intelligent and initially used for hunting and water sport. Now that people keep them as lap dogs, they come in a variety of sizes and colors.
Pros Of Owning An Affenpoo
Our first list will be all the fascinating qualities of this breed. You may know some of these attributes, and you may learn some. These are all the reasons that people love the Affenpoo.
Hypoallergenic
As all Doodles, the Affenpoo has a hypoallergenic coat. They have minimal shedding despite their coarser hair texture. Affenpoos have a curly coat that closely resembles a Poodle’s. Hypoallergenic coats are great for people who have mild allergies or asthma. These low shedding coats are also great because it means less mess to clean up. Your dog can climb all over the couches without dropping hair everywhere.
A word of caution, though. Hypoallergenic does not mean you will not be allergic. If you are allergic to dogs, you are allergic to their dander and saliva. All dogs have these, so if you are severely allergic, Doodles are not for you.
Temperament
Affenpoos are notorious for their calm and social behaviors. They love their owners with a passion, and you won’t go far without them by your side. They aren’t known to be very hyper or outgoing, but they can be obedient with the right training. Without the proper training, your Affenpoo will be stubborn and hard to train. You will enjoy the cuddles and companionship with your Affenpoo for many years.
Intelligence
Your Affenpoo is extremely intelligent. They thrive off training and having tasks to accomplish. Affenpoos even get bored if they do not have enough mental stimulation in their lives. Training your Affenpoo should start from a young age. If you keep at it, they will quickly learn many tricks and commands. But, if you are not consistent and firm, you will find that training can be difficult. They are a dog for more experienced handlers.
Small
Having a smaller Doodle can have many advantages. They are cheaper to feed, groom, and travel with. They can also have added benefits of not taking up as much space around the house. Your Affenpoo will only weigh 10-25 pounds. They generally only come in one size since Affenpinschers are a small breed, and only little Poodles are used for the mix.
Lifespan
If you are trying to find a Doodle that has a long lifespan, small is the way to go. Affenpoos have a long lifespan of 12-16 years. You could even get an even longer life with proper breeding, diet, and vet check-ups. Some of the healthiest dogs can even live up to 20 years. This is great for owners who want to get the most love from their pooches as long as they can.
Low Energy
One great attribute of the Affenpoo is that they are low energy. You won’t have to worry about a hyperactive dog that never calms down. They are perfectly happy with one walk a day and spending the rest of it with you. All thrive on mental stimulation more than physical. They enjoy spending their time at home with you, enjoying whatever you do.
Uncommon
Having a rare dog can have its advantages. For one, no one will likely have the same Doodle as you. And two, they are less likely to be bred by backyard breeders. Backyard breeders prey on high demand Doodles that can guarantee top dollar. With the Affenpoo, they aren’t widely known. Your breeder is more likely to be a reputable one. And since Affenpoos are not prevalent, they are less likely to be inbred. This means healthier puppies all around.
Cost
Affenpoos are some of the cheapest of all the Doodles. The average Affenpoo only costs $600-$900. And since they are smaller dogs, they will cost you less yearly than larger dogs. This lower yearly cost is a great deal less than other Doodles that can cost several thousand dollars
You should still expect to pay at least a thousand in supplies for a first-time dog owner. These supplies will get you started with the basics of taking care of your new puppy.
Cons Of Owning An Affenpoo
Now we are going to talk about all the negative sides of the Affenpoo. These cons might not be much to some people. And if they are no big deal, you might be a great candidate for an Affenpoo. If there are cons that are not compromisable, Affenpoos are not the right choice for you.
Grooming
Affenpoos, like all Doodles, require daily grooming. You will need to have a variety of brushes and combs on hand to brush through their thick double coats. Regular brushing will be necessary to keep them mat free and feeling well. If mats get too close to the skin, they can not be brushed out. These mats then become painful, and there is no other choice but to shave them down.
You should also be prepared to spend money on grooming every 6-12 weeks. Since Affenpoos don’t shed, they will need to have regular hair trims to keep them looking nice.
Not Good With Kids
Affenpinschers are known to not do well with children. And this trait has been passed down to the Affenpoo. They are short-tempered and do not do well with small children. Because of their intolerance, they are best in homes with older kids (10+) or no kids at all
Barking
If you want a quieter dog, Affenpoos might not be the best choice. They are known to be protective of their homes, and therefore bark a lot. Whether it be noises or people outside, they will alert you. This excessive barking makes them not ideal for apartments. But nothing is impossible.
Separation Anxiety
Since Affenpoos are so social, they can develop separation anxiety quickly. If you work a lot or take a lot of trips, an Affenpoo might not be the best choice. But, it can be possible if you higher someone to look after your dog. There are thousands of dog walkers, doggy daycares, and pet hotels all across America to make these times away easier for them. They will come to love these places, just like a second home.
Medical
All breeds have the potential to get any disease. That is why proper breeding and health screens are needed. Affenpoos are prone to cataracts, joint conditions, and bloat. You can get DNA testing on parental dogs to lessen the chances of these problems. But in all, the Affenpoo is a very healthy dog.
Uncommon
We put uncommon in the cons list too for a few reasons. One being that uncommon dogs are usually harder to predict. They have not refined the breeding as they have with well-known breeds. So temperament and coat type can vary. Also, with uncommon breeds, it can be hard to find a breeder. If you have to travel far to get a puppy, that means more money is needed. You may have to go by car several times to visit the facilities and pick a puppy. You may even have to pay to fly your puppy on a plane to get it. These all can be considered mild cons.
Mental Stimulation Needs
Affenpoos need a lot of mental stimulation. As an owner, you can expect your dog to get bored quickly. You will need to have a rotation of toys for everyday use, and another rotation for when you leave them alone. Without enough mental stimulation, your dog could start bad habits. Things, like chewing, digging, and marking, are some signs that your dog is bored. They will also need to have daily training to keep them happy. As long as you are mindful of their feelings and change up your routine, they will be satisfied.
What Do You Think?
Is the Affenpoo the right dog for you? These little Doodles are full of life and love. It takes a particular owner to let them flourish, and not everyone is the right match. But that is ok because we have thousands of Doodles to choose from.