These little monkeys are known to being extremely affectionate with their owners, but when not given enough attention, can become very stubborn and will probably attempt to annoy you as best they can, by being a bit of a pain in the bum! Although not afraid of strangers, the Affenpinscher's are a highly suspicious breed and tend to be very protective of both their ‘hoomans’ and territory. They can get a little too big for their collars, and if confronted by a larger dog, will not back down, so they need to be trained well to ensure their well-being. Training this breed can present itself as a bit of a challenge, as these dogs see themselves more as more like humans and therefore require a ​lot of fun training sessions, with a variety of treats and rewards. Because they are so small in size, they don’t need a great deal of exercise and are also bred as an indoor pet, so don’t generally need access to a garden, making them a great breed for dog-parents living in apartments.

The German translation for Affenpinscher is ‘monkey-like terrier’ which is all too obvious in their small, fluffy faces. The development of this breed is somewhat unclear to hoomans, but these little fluff balls have been painted alongside the likes of royalty right back to the 15th century. What makes us a little sad, is that this breed is that it is ranked as one of the rarest pedigree breeds in the world, with less than 80 being born in 2014. They have often been described as being little rascals, both full of mischief but extremely loveable.