(Alternative name: Monkey Dog)

Affenpinscher Appearance

Weighing 7 to 8 pounds (3-4 kg) and not exceeding 10.25 inches (26-27 cm) in height at the withers, the Affenpinscher has bushy eyebrows, shaggy hair, and a monkey-like appearance. The coat is medium long and is harsh and wiry in texture. The FCI breed standards specifies that the coat must be black, but the AKC also allows gray, silver, red, black and tan, and beige; other clubs have their own lists of acceptable colours, with black always being the preference.

Affenpinscher Dog

Affenpinscher Temperament

Affenpinschers have an appearance that some associate with terriers. They are different from terriers, however, in that they are actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup of group 2 in the FCI classification so often get along with other dogs and pets. They are active, adventurous, curious, and stubborn, but they are also fun-loving and playful. The breed is confident, lively, affectionate towards family members and also very protective of them. This loyal little dog enjoys being with its family. It needs consistent, firm training because some can be quite difficult to housebreak. The training should be varied because the dog can easily become bored.

Affenpinschers are somewhat territorial when it comes to their toys and food, so they are not recommended for very small children. This dog is mostly quiet but can become very excited if attacked or threatened and shows no fear toward any aggressor. It is best suited for a family who likes a show and has a sense of humor.

Affenpinscher Health

The breed can be expected to live about 14-15 years. It is one of the healthiest breeds, with no known genetic health problems.

Affenpinscher History

The breed is European in origin and dates back to the seventeenth century. Its name is derived from the German affe (“ape”, “monkey”) and pinscher (“terrier”). The breed predates and is ancestral to the Griffon Bruxellois (Brussels Griffon) and Belgian Griffon. Dogs of the Affenpinscher type have been known since about 1600 but these were somewhat larger, about 12 to 13 inches, and came in colors of gray, black, fawn, black and tan, gray and tan, and even red. White feet and chest were also common. The breed was created to be a ratter, working to remove rodents from kitchens, granaries, and stables.

Have you wondered what Cockapoos look like? Here are some pictures of cockapoos for you to see:

A cockapoo up close!

A white cockapoo.

Cockapoo with a regal posture.

A cockapoo in the snow.

A very happy cockapoo!

A cute cockapoo puppy.

You have decided to get a pet. You know you want a new puppy. Now it’s time for the bigger decision that needs to be made. What breed of dog will your puppy be?

The “breed” decision comes with many considerations.

Personality

First of all, a potential dog owner needs to think about their own personality as well as the personality of their new best friend. Puppies and their owners should be compatible.

If you are an active, outgoing person, you’ll want a puppy who is the same way. Choosing a breed of dog that is, for lack of a better word, lazy or likes to stay in the house would be an incompatible decision. A few good choices for an active person are breeds like Retrievers or Collies. These breeds of dog are loyal, like to run, and are friendly around other people.

Size

If your looking for a family friendly puppy, you may not want to start out with a large breed puppy if you have small children. Large dogs can accidentally injure children and the elderly during play. If the dog is territorial, like an Akita or a German Shepherd, they may make good guard dogs for your family, but will more than likely not be the best play companions for younger children.

Small breed puppies are more compatible with children and small living spaces. They remain indoor dogs for the most part and as long as they get lots of love, attention and exercise, these smaller puppies do well. Choose a breed like Bichon Frise, Boston Terrier, Beagle, or Pekingese. They love the attention they get from people and are overall friendly companions.

Long or Short Hair?

Many people want a puppy companion, but don’t have the time or don’t want a puppy that will shed a lot. If you or someone in your house has allergies to pet dander a long haired dog is probably out of the question as well. The puppy for you will have short or smooth body hair that only sheds on occasion which will leave your home cleaner.

If you want a long-haired breed of puppy, be prepared for vacuuming often, maybe even every day in order to keep the hair under control.

Breeds like Weimaraner, Greyhound, Great Dane, Pug, and Dachshund have coats that are sleek and resist constant shedding and are probably the best choice for someone who wants a short haired breed of dog. There are even a few hairless dogs available.

Male or Female?

You’ll also want to determine the sex of your new puppy. While in most breeds, the male is more aggressive, this is not true of all breeds. Males are thought to be more protective of the home and females as well as children, but both genders can have these characteristics. The gender of your puppy is a choice that is up to you.

Popular Breeds

To get an idea of what breeds of puppy other owners have chosen, here is a list that may come in handy. Some of the most popular breeds on this list may be one or two that you have considered already, yourself.

Ten of the most popular dog breeds:

1. Labrador Retriever
2. German Shepherd
3. Golden Retriever
4. Beagle
5. Akita Inu
6. Poodle
7. Yorkshire Terrier
8. Cocker Spaniel
9. Boxer
10. Boston Terrier

Take Your Time

The puppy breed you choose is something you should think about awhile before jumping on the cutest breed or the biggest.

Don’t make a hasty decision when it comes to choosing your new best friend.

An incompatible pup could spell disaster for you and the puppy, so choose carefully.

Photo credits: 1. KM Photography 2. snappED up 3. basykes 4. BigBlonde 5. basykes.

Eight Things to Consider When Adopting a Shelter Dog

By Roger Matthews

Adopting a fully grown shelter dog is usually not considered when a family decides to get a new pet. It may actually be the best choice for your family.

A fully grown shelter dog may already be house trained, trained in basic obedience and be past the teething stage. That means no messes in the house, no damaged furniture and a dog that listens to it’s owner. That sounds like a dream dog to me. You’ll also know what you’re getting in your new dog regarding it’s size, color, temperament and personality. There are fewer surprises and you’ll have the advantage of knowing what you’re getting before you get it.

If you’re looking for a loving family pet a shelter dog just may be the answer. If your looking for a show dog it’s probably not. I say probably because I’ve seen pure bred animals, with papers, in the shelter I worked in. It was rare but it did happen. Sometimes the dog out-grew it’s family and sometimes it was disobedient or chewed up something in the house. Occasionally the owner just wasn’t responsible enough to own a pet and it was just too much work. There were many reasons why they were brought to the shelter by their owners.

When shopping at the local grocery store, most people are picky about what they choose. There are many things they take into consideration before making decisions. They check the dates on perishables, squeeze the grapefruit and look for bruising. They make decisions based on color, quantity, packaging, size, fat content, calories and price. That works well for shoppers who want what’s best for their families but for some strange reason some of the same people don’t make the same kind of careful decisions when it comes to choosing a new family pet. A pet that may be around for ten or fifteen years. This is where the “cute” factor can really work against a pet and the family as well. The cutest dog in the bunch gets adopted and that usually means a puppy.

When you adopt a puppy, especially a mixed breed, you may be in for an unwanted surprise or two. When the dog becomes mature it may be too large or not look the way you thought it would. It’s really a crap shoot. You can guess how big the dog will get but it’s still just a guess unless you know the mix. Now mind you, I’m not speaking out against adopting puppies, it’s a fine idea, what I’m saying is that there are benefits to adopting an older dog too. Besides the reasons mentioned above, you’re also giving an older dog a second chance at a happy life. He probably deserves that chance.

A pet has to become part of your family, a part of your pack. He or she has to fit in well and be of the proper temperament and size for your family. Not taking those factors into account can have disastrous repercussions for both the pet and the family. I’ve seen it happen in failed adoptions and when families turned their pet over to the shelter. A family gets a puppy, the puppy is small, cute and manageable and then it quickly grows to maturity and is larger or more energetic than expected.

It wasn’t long after becoming an Animal Control Officer that I began to believe that it wasn’t a pet problem at all, it was a pet owner problem. After all, you can’t blame it on the dog. The dog just wanted a home, a family to be a part of, in essence, a new pack. Choosing a pet carefully is very important for your family and the pet. Here are a few tips on what to do if you’re interested in adopting a shelter dog.

(1) – Speak with your family and make sure they know the dog will be everyone’s responsibility. Feeding, walking, training and loving your new pet should be shared between family members. If everyone is in agreement it’s time to search for your new family member. Bring the entire family. You’ll want to know how well everyone will get along. It’s important that everyone in your family sees, pets and interacts with the dog if it’s possible.

(2) – If you have other pets, bring them with you to the shelter and have them meet the dog you may adopt if you’re seriously considering a specific dog. It would be a good idea to call the shelter first so that they’re prepared. They’ll usually be happy to work with you and help you find a dog that will be a great match for your family. You don’t need to arrive at home with your new pet and find out there’s a big problem. Do that at the shelter. It’s best done outside the shelter with shelter staff present. In busy shelters this may be a problem which is why you should always speak with them in advance. All of the pets should be on leashes so they can be controlled easily if there’s a problem.

(3) – Speak to anyone that has had contact with the dog. You can learn a lot from the staff members that feed and interact with the dog on a daily basis. After all, they’re the people that probably know the dog best.

A good shelter will appreciate someone that makes a careful decision before adopting. The shelter staff wants the dog to find a new home. They certainly don’t want to see a dog returned. It’s depressing for the shelter staff to see a dog return after being adopted.

(4) – When you first visit your local shelter get as much information as you can on a dog you may be interested in adopting. Don’t rush, take your time. Take a few days if you have to. It’s an important decision and shouldn’t be taken lightly. Use your best judgement when making your decision, not just your emotions.

(5) – Ask about the dog’s history, medical records and temperament. The more you know about the dog the more informed your final decision will be. Find out as much as you can about the dog’s shelter history. Ask if he or she has been neutered or spayed. You’ll also want to know what shots and flea and tick treatments the dog was given. Ask if the dog has been adopted and then returned to the shelter. If the dog has been returned find out why. The staff will almost always know why a dog was returned.

(6) – Ask about the dog’s appetite and either check or ask if the dog’s stool looks normal. This can be valuable information especially if the dog has no medical records. There’s a lot you can do to make a good, informed decision when adopting from a rescue shelter.

(7) – If the dog is a mixed breed ask the shelter staff what mix the dog is. This will give you a reasonably good idea how large the dog will get if it’s not already fully grown. The shelter staff may know from the previous owners or they may at least have an idea just by looking at the dog. Either way you’ll get some facts or at the very least, an educated guess.

(8) – Ask the shelter staff to allow you to meet the dog out of it’s run or cage and get to know the dog a bit. It’s very important and you can learn a lot in a short amount of time. If you feel comfortable with the dog it’s also a very good idea to take it for a walk if the shelter will allow it. Just remember, any dog can be trained. If the dog isn’t perfect, that’s ok. You’ll work together to improve.

Those 8 steps are good to keep in mind when adopting a dog from a shelter. Just remember, even an older dog can be trained with a little patience, love and understanding.

I’m sure you’ve heard the old saying “You can’t teach old dogs new tricks”. I’ve heard that saying many times and I couldn’t disagree more. As an animal control officer I was often in charge of adoptions and taking care of the dogs and cats when I wasn’t on patrol or on an abuse investigation. I spent a lot of that time training some of the older dogs in the basics to give them a better chance at being adopted. They learned quickly and some dogs already knew the basic commands. Dogs want to please, it’s in their nature and with some patience you can teach an old dog new tricks!

Shelter dogs don’t get a lot of one-on-one attention from people. They get some from the staff but it’s limited. The staff is usually pretty busy and there are usually quite a few dogs to take care of so finding the time for one-on-one attention is difficult. So try to remember that a dog may be very excited when he first meets you. Spend some time with the dog so you can find out what he or she is really like. Spend that time with the dog and you may find that the dog is a lot different than your first impression would have lead you to believe.

If you do adopt a shelter dog be sure to visit a local vet as soon as possible. A healthy pet is a happy pet. If the dog has no known medical history then you have to start developing one. If there is a medical history then it’s still important that the dog is current on all vaccinations and treatments. Let the vet tell you what the dog needs.

Good luck if you’re considering adopting a dog from a shelter. I’m sure you’ll be very glad you did. It’s a great feeling to know you may have saved your new, best friend’s life.

Getting a Dog? How to Choose a Perfect Match for Your Family

By: Susie Aga

You know when you see a puppy your heart jumps and you just fall in love with it and your mind takes a back seat; but most people forget adopting a puppy or dog is a huge responsibility. Adding a puppy to your household is like having a baby. It can be all consuming. Your house will be rearranged, your sleep schedule will be interrupted and your old life will slowly disappear. You will find stains that were not there before; things will go missing, and don’t forget their favorite thing: shoes that you innocently kicked off when you walked in the door will be chewed up. Those are just a few things that will happen with a new puppy.

The pluses for getting a dog or puppy are far more fulfilling than the minuses. You have unconditional love for the rest of both your lives. You have a constant companion who loves you no matter what. They love you when you stink or if you are in a bad mood, even when having a bad hair day they still look at you like you’re their bit of heaven. NO ONE loves you unconditionally except God; remember, dog is God spelled backwards.

You have to prepare yourself for adoption by researching which breed is right for your lifestyle and your personality. You have to ask yourself these questions.

1. How active or inactive am I and can my dog keep up or can I keep up with the dog?

6. Will this dog be tolerant of my children and are my children at an age that they can interact properly with a dog and not annoy it.

These are just a few questions you should ask yourself.

If you are looking for a dog to keep up with your active life you might want a breed that is bred for all day long endurance.

High energy breeds need a lot of exercise and attention. Some can be high maintenance; you must make time to socialize, exercise and train your dog. You will become their mother/father, best friend and their teacher. If you have time for all that is needed, then a high energy dog can be perfect for your busy lifestyle. If your lifestyle is very active and you are considering a Shih Tzu you might want to think twice. If you are a couch potato in an apartment and are thinking of a Border Collie you might as well just go ahead and shoot yourself in the foot now and get it over with.

Here are some good matches for active outdoorsy people.

Labrador and Golden retrievers are great dogs and were bred to be around hunters and they take direction from humans very well. They have an abundance of energy and do well in an active environment. These breeds definitely need a fenced-in yard. They have to be able to run and exercise on a regular basis. They can be very rambunctious and overwhelming for small children if not properly exercised. Check out the Labrador and Golden Retriever rescue groups. This is a great way to save a dog’s life and to get a pure bred in the process. Rescue dogs in my opinion make the best pets; for some reason they seem to know they have been rescued and return the favor by rescuing you from a boring ho-hum life.

A few other high-energy breeds that are good with kids [some can be too exuberant for toddlers] and great companions for your family are:

Setters, Spaniels, Retrievers, Collies, Weimaraners, Shepherd, Jack Russell Terriers and Corgis just to name a few. There are rescue groups for all breeds and I strongly suggest rescuing a dog versus buying one if at all possible.

Now if you’re a couch potato or a homebody I suggest looking into some of the more laid-back breeds that really do not care to get their royal manes dirty, like a Pekingese, Pug or Shih Tzu, just to name a few. Most of these guys will adapt their energy level to their environment. The smaller breeds are more adaptable to apartment and inner city living than some of the larger breeds that will take up and need more space.

I have adopted dogs from rescue organizations all my life and it has been my experienced that the MUTTS I have adopted have been the best dogs I ever had. Their temperament and health seemed to be better than the pure breeds that came into my family. Mutts are truly my favorite.

There are plenty of rescue groups out there that would be more than happy to help you find your new family member. Do your homework and be prepared for adoption; that is your duty as a human. It is a huge responsibility and it requires your commitment for the rest of the dog’s life.

It is a proven fact that dogs can make you live longer. People that have pets are less stressed out and have less anxiety than others. Dogs are like wet cement in that whatever touches them leaves an impression. My favorite quote is from M. Gandhi “The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.”

Local rescue organizations can help you find a perfect match for your family. Please visit PetFinder.com to find rescues in your area. You can also look up animal rescue groups in Google and type in the specific breed you are looking for and so many will come up, you’re bound to find exactly what your heart desires.

Some of the breeds with dangerously low numbers in the UK include bloodhounds, Skye and Glen of Imaal terriers, field spaniels, smooth collies, otterhounds, dandie dinmont terriers, sealyham terriers, Sussex spaniels, and Cardigan Welsh corgis.

Puggle

According to the article,

New figures for the number of pedigree pups born have alarmed breeders as they show 24 breeds below the benchmark deemed viable for a healthy long-term population.

…

Breeders reckon that a birthrate of 300 puppies a year is needed to guarantee a large gene pool and a long term, healthy population, but 10 breeds had less than 100 puppies in the last year.

Labradoodle Puppy

Some of the popular crossbreds, or hybrids, in the UK are labradoodles, puggles, dorgis (part-corgi and part-dachshund), peek-a-poms (a mix of Pekinese and Pomeranian), and jackabees (a Jack Russell and beagle mix).

I have not heard of this problem in the United States. Maybe this is because there are probably greater numbers of all dog breeds here. However, there are some breeds that are different in the UK than here in the US.

Read the entire article here.

She seems to be very knowledgeable about the various rescue groups and shelters in the area. She visits a lot of the events and posts photos and information about them.

I think this would be a great idea for anyone who wants to do some volunteer work with dogs in their area. Just start a blog like this to highlight the different groups and animals up for adoption.

Even if you don’t live in the San Diego area, you should stop by to check out this blog, if only for the great pictures of the dogs and events. This is one of the most well done dog blogs I have seen. It is only two months old and is already filled with a wealth of information. I hope Jen continues with this great idea!

Here is the website again: fuzzle.info.

Kids can be unreliable; kids change. The puppy melts their hearts for a few days or weeks. But then it needs to be walked every day (in the rain). It needs careful attention to its feeding and eliminating if it’s going to be housebroken effectively. It needs to be taught not to jump on Grandma. The kids oohing and aahing under the tree will soon move on to IMing and texting their friends. Few children outside of 4-H programs and Future Farmers of America want to be tied down to conscientious animal care, and their parents are often no more enthusiastic. Reality will soon supersede the Christmas morning fantasy. Read more…

He then goes on to explain that the only places with lots of puppies to sell for Christmas are pet stores that get their puppies from puppy mills. I have written of the evils of puppy mills before. You don’t want these kind of puppies.

He says reputable breeders don’t get involved in the “dogs for Christmas” mania. Get your puppy from a breeder if you really want one. It does not have to be for Christmas.

Jon Katz has also written a book, Katz on Dogs: A Commonsense Guide to Training and Living with Dogs (see picture above).

And below are some more books by Jon Katz:

I missed the companionship of having a dog around the house, to greet me when I come home, to take walks with, and just to be with. Also, I noticed that I was getting out of shape, because I was no longer taking my twice daily walks!

I decided to get a new dog. I started visiting the Humane Society shelter near me, and the second time I visited, I saw the cutest puppy! Not only was she cute, but she was very smart! I could tell by her eyes, how she watched everything and seemed to understand what was going on. And she was full of life and fun. I just fell in love with her whole personality.

She was scheduled to be spayed the next day, so it was a few more days before I could take her home. Finally, about two weeks ago, I got to take her home. They had named her Rascal (she was a stray so they did not know her real name). But I don’t really like that name. I named her Bunny. The name seems to fit her, since she likes to jump around and she is very quick. And, did I mention, cute?

My life has been very different now that I have Bunny. She is six months old, so like a little kid, I have to watch her every minute, to make sure she is not doing something she shouldn’t. I take her on a lot of long walks to use up some of her energy. And we play around in the house too, because this puppy sure has a lot of energy! She wears me out, but it is such fun.

Right now, she has worn herself out, and is taking a short nap. I am sure she will wake up refreshed and ready to go again!

I almost forgot to mention how she chose me, though. When I walked in to the Humane Society, she spied me right away, and started jumping around and acting cute, just begging me to come over to her. She stole my heart right then! I think she did it on purpose, too.

Well, recently Shelley has chosen a new owner.

My ex-husband was living with me for a while, and Shelley got used to having someone home with her all the time. (My ex stays home due to a disability.) So, when my ex moved out again a few months ago, Shelley let me know that she was not happy! She started pee-ing on the bed several times a week while I was at work. This is what she always does when she gets upset or nervous about something.

Knowing that she does this when she gets upset, I always keep a plastic cover over the bed, and then the bedspread over that, so if it does happen, I only have to wash the bedspread and the plastic cover, not all the other blankets and sheets.

But it still was no fun coming home to this mess so often. I realized why Shelley was upset, and since she is getting older, I thought she might do better living with my ex-husband, who is home all day. So, Shelley went to live at his house, and she seems happy now. She doesn’t pee on the bed any more. And my ex is very glad for the company. The two of them get along great.

I go by there every week or two to see her and take her for a walk. She seems happy with this arrangement. So, once again, Shelley has chosen her owner. I miss her, but I know it is for the best.

By the way, that is Shelley’s picture above, in the header of this blog.