Affenpinschers are similar in looks to terriers but they're actually part of the pinscher-schnauzer subgroup. The most common color of an Affenpinscher is black, although the AKC permits other colors, such as gray, silver, and a combination of black and tan, but black is always preferred.
The best characteristics of Affenpinschers are that they are very playful and likely to get along with other dogs. They can become excitable around small children, so they're not entirely suited as a family pet. Affenpinschers can be territorial when it comes to their food, so you might want to take this into consideration prior to adopting one. That being said, an Affenpinscher certainly can be a fun pet to own and can provide hours of entertainment for everyone.
The breed can date itself back to the early 17th century. The European origin of its name is a combination of the German word for monkey and terrier. The breed was originally a little bit larger than it is now, standing about 12 to 13 inches in height with similar colors. Its original purpose was to remove rats and other rodents from places such as kitchens and stables.
