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The Kennel Club Breed Standard for the affenpinscher
The KC Breed Standard of any breed is the "blueprint" by which all members of the breed are judged at any KC sanctioned show. The FCI, USA, Canada and Australasian Kennel Clubs have their own Standards which differ in various way from the Standard applied in the UK.
General Appearance
Rough-coated, sturdy in build with a mischievous monkey-like expression. Although small, not delicate in any way
Characteristics
Lively and self-confident, carrying itself with a comic seriousness.
Temperament
Loyal and loving companion: watchful of strangers and fearless towards aggressors.
Head and Skull
Fairly small in porportions to body: domed forehead, broad brow an marked stop which is not indented. Muzzle blunt and short but not flattened sufficiently to cause difficulty in breathing or wrinkling of skin. Chin prominent wiht good turn up. Distance between dark eyes and black nose forming an equal sided triangle.
Eyes
Round, very dark and sparkling. Medium in size and not protruding.
Ears
Small, set high, either drop or erect.
Mouth
Slighty undershot with lower incisors gripping scissor-like in front of uppers. Teeth or tongue not showing when mouth closed.
Neck
Short and straight. Skin of throat tight and unwrinkled.
Forequarters
Front legs straight, elbows neither in nor out, carried close to sides.
Body
Back short and straight. Height at withers about equal to body measured from point of shoulder to point of buttock. Well sprung ribs with chest not too deep, combined with only a slight tuck-up at loin giving a sturdy appearance.
Hindquarters
Legs well set under body without excessive angulation.
Feet
Small, round and compact turning neither in nor out. Pads and nails dark.
Tail
Set high and carried high, left a natural length to curve gently over back with moving.
Gait/movement
A lively strutting movement. Lifting feet high when in motion, with no hint of hackneying action or plaiting.
Coat
Correct coat needs no trimming, rough and harsh in texture, short and dense on some parts of the body and shaggy on others. In particular, longer on shoulders, neck and head where loose shaggy hair stands away from the skull framing eyes, nose and chin giving desired monkey-like expression.
Colour
Black. Grey shading permissible.
Size
Height 24-28cms (91/2-11ins). Weight 3-4 kgs (61/2-9lbs).
Faults
Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree and its effect on health and welfare of the dog.
Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
Last updated - July 2001