Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison

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.

Long ago the English visited Spain to sample their wines, bringing with them smooth coated English Fox Terriers which were later crossed with other dog breeds of the area.

It is believed that the Andalusia Ratter’s ancestors were smooth coated fox terriers. The Club Nacional del Perro Andaluz Ratonero Bodeguero was established and in 1993 a standard for the breed was set.

It is only fairly recently that the breed was recognized by the Royal Canine Society of Spain but it isn’t recognized by any of the major kennel clubs.

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.

Also known as the Spanish Jack Russell, the Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz looks very similar to this popular Jack Russell Terrier.

He is a small to medium sized dog with a lean, muscular body. The Ratonero developed in the south of Spain and is thought to be a mix of local ratting dogs and Fox Terriers. This ensured a quick, agile hunter.

The dog stands at between 35 – 43cm in height and weighs 6 - 9kg. The dog’s head is fairly small with dark brown eyes and half erect-half floppy ears. The coat is mainly white with some freckling. It is short and smooth with shades of black and tan covering the facial area. Some of these dogs are born with a natural bob-tail.

Temperament:

These dogs are known to have robust, hearty, happy personalities, full of the joys of living. They get on well with children as well as other pets if they have grown up with them.

Introductions should be slow if one of these dogs are brought into a home where there are already other pets. He is a very active breed and will be requiring plenty of mental stimulation and physical exercise.

They can provide quite a bit of entertainment for their human families as they can become quite clownish. They’re the kind of dogs that can adapt to life in the countryside or the city.

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.

Your Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz to this day is a ratter, always alert and ready to spring on prey. He is always lively and friendly, and with his loving nature, makes a splendid companion for his human family.

He is also a stubborn dog, liking to go his own way, and therefore will require training and socialization. He is an adaptable little dog too and when you bring him into your home he is willing to adapt to your way of life and become a loyal and loving member of your family.

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.

With good care, your Andalusian Ratter isn’t likely to get sick, but still, you would be better off knowing about some of the common dog diseases your pet could get.

Legge Perthe’s Disease:

This is usually seen in young dogs where there is lameness in the hind legs and hip pain. It is believed that Legge Perthe’s occurs because of a genetic predisposition, and when it develops, there is sadly no cure.

Skin Infections:

Skin infections may seem fairly mild but nothing can be further from the truth. They can be painful and frustrating. Skin redness, dryness, itchiness and pain can cause your pet to lick and bite and make the situation worse. If your pet is being driven crazy by a skin irritation, get him to the vet who will do a complete physical examination.

Other diseases to be aware of include hip dysplasia, obesity, epilepsy and bloat.

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.

This is a fairly low maintenance dog as the short smooth coat will be easy to brush twice a week.

Check him over for unusual lumps, trim his nails and check inside his ears, look into his eyes to ensure they are bright and alert and look inside his mouth to make sure he doesn’t have any rotten teeth.

Have your pet neutered or spayed if you want to avoid puppies. This can be beneficial for your pet’s health too.

Feed your Ratonero Bodeguero Andaluz only the best food there is. If you opt for commercially manufactured food, make sure its full of vitamins and minerals. Your little pet will want consistency and simplicity with his food to avoid digestive problems.

Try and provide him with some home-made food which can be added to the dry kibble twice a week as a treat. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots all chopped up ad mixed into the dry kibble will ensure your pet’s health.

Some raw meat added in occasionally will also go towards ensuring his good health.

Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Provide him with a safe, dry, warm, comfortable place to sleep.

Get him to the vet when you see he is sick.

Ensure he has sun and shade in the garden.

Never ever leave him in a hot car.