Maltese vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

This breed originated from Germany. The latest information on this breed is from the 17th century. Actually, Affenpinscher got its name from Affe, which means monkey. Their accentors considered to be Brussels Griffon and Mini Schnauzer. People trained this breed to be a working dog, to remove rodents, granaries, and stables from the living area.

The Maltese dog hardly needs any introduction as this is an ancient breed which is still as popular as ever. Some people refer to it as the "Maltese Lion Dog," or "Melita" which was Malta’s previous name.

It was in the 19th century, that the Kennel Club settled on the name of Maltese for the dog breed. The dog has been selectively bred to keep its small size. The exact origin of the dog is unknown and there are various stories surrounding where its origins are, thought to be Italy.

It is believed that dogs such as spaniels and poodles have been used to bring about the Maltese. The American Kennel Club, a registry for pure bred dogs, recognized the breed in 1888.

Affenpinscher is a toy size breed and it weights between 2.6 kg to 6 kg. There is no big difference between male and a female dog.

The height of the breed is approximately 23 to 30cm. They have monkey-like expressions, and that is why it got its name. The primary color of the coat is black, but it can be gray, brown, red, white). Every club has a list of acceptable colors. Not all the colors are accepted in every country.

The lifespan of Affenpinscher variates from dog to dog, but it is on average 11.4. That is a typical lifespan of dog that size, but they can live much more depends on the care and health of the dog.

Litter size of Affenpinscher is 1-3 puppies. They are very small dogs, so having a small number of puppies is normal for mini breeds.

Other Names of Affenpinscher are monkey dog, Affen or Affie. All the other names are related to its size and monkey-like look.

The Maltese is looked upon as a toy dog. Both male and female stand roughly between 20-25cm in height and weigh between 1 and 4kg.

He is as cute as a button with a rounded skull, a pitch black nose, brown eyes and medium length floppy ears. The tail is feathery and is curled. He has a long, silky coat without an undercoat.

The color of his coat is pure white, and because he doesn’t shed he is looked upon as being hypoallergenic. Most people who own a Maltese like having the coat short to one length all round.

Temperament:

These little dogs have been bred to be companion dogs. They may be little, but it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as they are inclined to be a bit snappy, especially with children.

He is intelligent, so training him won’t be difficult. Brought up the right way though, he can be good with children as well as pets in the home. They love their human families and want to be constantly with them. He is an energetic little dog too, and will just love ball games both inside and outside.

His very temperament and smallness make it that he fits perfectly into life in the city or the countryside. He is sweet and gentle but he makes a good watchdog, alerting you with his barking to strangers coming close by. Don’t leave him for long period of time as he hates being on his own and then he may start barking from sheer boredom and frustration.

Characteristics of Affenpinscher

Affenpinscher is a toy sized dog, so they are fragile and you always have to watch out for them. They require a lot of training because they are very stubborn. Breed experts recommend positive training because they can’t respond badly and get depressed if you practice old ways of practice, which include punishments.

They tend to bark a lot and can be unfriendly to guests and other animals. It is important to train them properly and to spend as much time as they can with other animals.

The great thing about Affenpinscher is that they are very easy to carry around and they are beautiful little dogs. They are braver than most of the toy dogs because of the terrier descent. The funny thing about them is that they take themselves very seriously which can be very funny to the owners.

They don’t need a lot of exercises. They love walking, but they do not require a lot of it.

Affenpinscher is a great watch dog. They tend to protect the house and they are amazing dogs for watching.

They are not very good with children because they are very sensitive and they love attention. It is also important not to spoil them, even if it’s funny sometimes, it is not recommended to spoil your dog.

The Maltese is a popular dog no doubt, and his smallness is a draw-card as he adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside.

He is loving, loyal, intelligent and responsive, making him a good family dog and being an excellent playmate for children. Teach your children how to respect animals because raucous, disrespectful kids might produce a nip from an agitated Maltese.

Being a light shedder is another draw-card, with him being looked upon as a hypoallergenic breed. He has got so many good things going for him that he is guaranteed to make you an ideal pet.

It is very important to choose a quality puppy from a quality breed. Affenpinscher can have some health problems. Hip dysplasia collapsed trachea, and the luxating patella is the most common health complications of this breed. But, the most of the dogs die of an old age, so if you are choosing wisely, and with proper education and consulting, you will have a happy and a healthy dog.

Your Maltese is a feisty little thing who, with good care, can live for a good few years – up to 15 or even longer. As with any other dog, he can become ill. One or two illnesses to look out for include -

Skin Problems:

Sebaceous adenitis is caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands and is an uncommon skin disease found in some breeds of dog.

There are two types - one for long coated breeds and one for short coated breeds. For long or double-coated dogs, you’ll notice a white/silvery kind of dandruff on the coat as well as hair loss. There can also be skin lesions along the back and ears. It can make your pet miserable and he will need to see a vet.

Thyroid Problems:

A common hormonal problem is canine hypothyroidism, brought on by inadequate levels of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, coldness and a weakened immune system.

Affenpinscher daily amount food should be based on a size and activity of the dog. But approximately ¼ or ½ cup of high-quality food should be enough for your dog. It is recommended to divide into two meals per day. You can also add some vegetables, oil, meat or fruits into a meal, but only small size portions.

Feeding Affenpinscher puppy

Feeding Affenpinscher puppy is similar to feeding an adult dog. The difference is in a number of meals per day. It is recommended to give 3-5 portions per day for a puppy.

Also giving vitamins and minerals to a puppy dog is very important for health.

Grooming Affenpinscher

Grooming the Affenpinscher could be a challenging task. It requires regular care with every day brushing and cleaning. They have a strong and rough coat. A good side of that is Affen size. They are not big, so there wouldn’t be a lot to groom.

Diet:

Your Maltese is going to require quality food, water, exercise and shelter to enjoy a good life. The type of food you feed any dog has a direct impact on his health.

You need to provide him with quality food, and if its commercially manufactured food, you need to read the labels carefully so that the food is appropriate to your Maltese. For instance, you can’t mistakenly pull a ‘large-breed’ packet of food off the shelves and expect your Maltese to be able to stomach it.

If you do buy him this kibble, make sure the ingredients are wholesome. To break the monotony of eating kibble every day, give him some boiled chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables chopped up finely into his kibble. He will love you for this as it makes a tasty meal for him and will keep him healthy.

Try to keep his diet nice and simple to avoid digestive problems.

Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General Care:

Make sure your Maltese dog has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.

Get him to the vet if you notice that he is ill.

Brush his hair twice a week and take him to have it professionally cut if you prefer.

Clip his nails when they become too long and check around his eyes and inside his ears for any kind of infection.

These little dogs are prone to dental problems and he will need to have his teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a week.