Affenpinscher

Toy group: Toy dogs are primarily characterized by their very small size. But don't let that fool you- if anything their personality and tenacity is higher than the average dog. In fact, even their protective instincts are above average! In fact, because of that it is crucial they get socialization with children and other dogs from an early age. Perhaps out of all dog groups, the toy dog group is the most difficult to put sub-groups into, since the sub groups also include larger dogs, and fall under other groupings. For example, the Pomeranian is a Toy Spitz dog, but there are also large Spitz dogs such as the Samoyed. Because the toy dog is both small and primarily bred for home companionship, they make excellent additions for a wide range of families. There are also practical benefits with toy dogs- they are great for apartment living, and traveling. Toy dogs are also loyal and love to cuddle, making them the ideal lap dog.

Pinscher sub-group: The pinscher is a true German classic. They are one of the oldest breeds, and have been used for a variety of uses: from aesthetic dog shows, to police force work. The Pinscher can be trained well, as they are very intelligent and have a switch where they can suddenly become "serious". Pinschers are typically healthy dogs, although there are a few conditions that the breed can be prone to. Pinschers can most commonly have hip dysplasia and eye disease. Smaller pinschers are known to "nip" as they were bred to hunt rats. On the other side of the spectrum- doberman pinschers will not be so bite friendly, but are excellent guard dogs. Because of pinschers serious and demanding nature, they need a strong leader, and need to be socialized early and often. If that is the case, you will receive an excellent dog.