The Kennel Club Breed Standard for the Affenpinscher

The KC Breed Standard of any breed is often thought of as the "blueprint" or more correctly the "precise picture" (an image in words) by which all members of the breed are judged at any KC licensed 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 with 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