The Affenpinscher is a German breed, whose name means "Monkey Terrier". With large dark eyes, protruding jaw and lower lip, and whiskers sticking out from the face; all these contribute to the "comically serious" look, and temperment, of the Affenpinscher.

The breed is known for its fearlessness, and despite being small (9 to 12 inches at the withers, and weighing 8 to 10 pounds) are "little ruffians with a swagger".

The Affenpinscher is said to have been the progenitor of the breed Brussels Griffon; and, when bred to the Standard Schnauzer, produced the Miniature Schnauzer.

The root lines, which are the real breed basis of the toy Griffons, were due to the breeding of the Affenpinscher to the common Belgian street dogs. This latter breed was the peasant's dog, shaggy, tough, unlovely but intelligent. These Griffons D'Ecurie (Stable Griffons) paid for their keep by keeping the stables clear of vermin.

The Affenpinscher was admitted to the American Kennel Club's Stud Book in 1936. The then current German Standard was adopted as a basis for the AKC Standard.

It appears that none of the pre-World War II Affenpinschers contributed to the breed as it is in the U.S. today.

Today's Affenpinschers can trace their origins to dogs, imported by Mrs. Evelyn Brody, from Germany around 1950. One of Mrs. Brody's imports, Bub V. Anwander, was the first American Champion of the breed.

The AKC Standard is maintained by the Affenpinscher Club of America.
 

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