Affen Tzu (Affenpinscher & Shih Tzu Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts & Traits

Breed Overview

The Affen Tzu is a lovely little mix of the Shih Tzu and the less well-known Affenpinscher. Together, they have created a well-balanced but spunky dog who is the best of both of the parents' worlds. Their little dogs with massive personalities. They're humorous and friendly, and they make ideal family pets.

However, they have traits that make them more suited for patient owners. For instance, they're needy and can be challenging to train. As long as you have the time and energy for them, the Affen Tzu will become a loyal companion.

In this guide, we'll discuss the Affen Tzu's personality, intelligence, training, grooming, and more. So, join us on our Affen Tzu discovery to see if they'll become your new pet.

Affen Tzu Puppies

Affen Tzu Characteristics

The Affen Tzu is a clingy dog who needs constant attention. Like cats, Affen Tzus think humans are there to serve them rather than to be their masters. The Affen Tzu needs continuous attention and hates to be left alone. They need a family that can spend most of their time with them.

They're not pleased when their owners leave them alone for several hours, and they'll let you know when they're unhappy. Affen Tzus are stubborn and relatively challenging to train. For experienced owners, they shouldn't be a problem, but they're not suitable for first-time owners.

However, their feisty nature is endearing to their owners, and it certainly adds to their charm. If you think you could handle the spirited pup, read on to learn more about what you can expect from the Affen Tzu.

3 Little-Known Facts About the Affen Tzu

1. The Affen Tzu Is a Monkey Mix

The Affen Tzu's Affenspincher parent is known as the Monkey Dog or the Ape Terrier because their squishy face looks ape-like. Affenpischer translates to "Monkey Dog" in German, and the French call them "mustached little devils."

2. The Affen Tzu Is a Super Funny Pooch

The Affenpinscher is known as one of the most entertaining dogs in the canine kingdom. So, you can be sure your Affen Tzu will inherit at least some of their humor.

3. The Affen Tzu Is Very Cuddly

Behind closed doors, the Affen Tzu is cuddly and loves to give their owner cuddles and kisses. Just don't tell their canine friends we told you!

Temperament & Intelligence of the Affen Tzu

The Affen Tzu is a mixed breed that can inherit the characteristics of either parent. However, the Affenpinscher and Shih Tzu are similar in their personalities, so there won't be too much variety.

The Affen Tzu is confident and flamboyant and loves to show off. Although friendly to strangers and owners, they can be vocal. However, they don't make reliable watchdogs or guard dogs. Instead, they'll want to befriend intruders and show off their party tricks.

After a hard day of entertaining the family, they like to snuggle down for the evening with their owner. Affen Tzus like to follow their owners around all day. That is all part of their charm.

They're very intelligent dogs and pick up commands quickly if they're in the mood to learn.

Are These Dogs Good for Families?

The Affen Tzu is a great little family dog for the right family. Someone in the family must be home for most of the day so that they don't become anxious. The Affen Tzu is a tiny dog that is suitable for apartment living. Because they're adaptable, they can also live in a larger home.

Affen Tzus get along well with children, and although they're small, they're lightly stocky and robust compared to other toy breeds. Just be sure that your children know how to handle them rather than treat them like toys.

Because they can be sensitive, they need to get away from their family and have some alone time. Getting a crate will not only provide a safe space, but it can also be a time-out spot when they need a break from the family.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets?

As long as the Affen Tzu is socialized well as a puppy, they'll get along great with other dogs. Although they're small, they can hold their own with bigger dogs around. If you give them enough attention (or maybe just a bit more), they shouldn't get too jealous of the love you give to your other pets.

However, rodents aren't the best roommates for an Affen Tzu. The Affenpischer was a ratting dog used to hunt the rats in barns. Although it is not a given that the Affen Tzu will inherit this trait, there is a chance that they will. So if you have pet rodents, you might want to consider another mixed breed.

Things to Know When Owning an Affen Tzu:

So now you know about the Affen Tzu and their cheeky personality, and below, we'll discuss what it takes to keep them happy and healthy.

Food & Diet Requirements

The Affen Tzu is small and doesn't need a lot of food. However, they will try to convince you otherwise, especially when they take after the forever-hungry Shih Tzu.

They only need around 1 cup of high-quality kibble every day. A high-quality kibble will provide all the nutrition they to stay healthy. However, you have to ensure the pieces are small enough for them to eat. They'll likely need a small or toy breed-sized kibble.

It's best to feed them three to four meals a day to prevent low blood sugar. If you have any questions about their feeding requirements, you can talk to your vet.

Never free-feed the Affen Tzu because they'll just keep eating and eating. They can easily become obese, which can put extra pressure on their joints and organs.

Exercise

The Affen Tzu only needs around 30 minutes of exercise a day. It doesn't need to be vigorous, and but they enjoy a few walks combined with play sessions. They prefer that most of their daily exercise involve playtime in the home and yard. Some Affen Tzus aren't fond of solo games and would rather play fetch with the family.

As a friendly dog that loves to show off, they appreciate visits to the dog park. Exposing them to new dogs and people in a calm setting helps them develop into well-behaved pets.

Training

Due to their stubborn nature, Affen Tzus are more suitable for experienced dog owners. The trick to keeping stubborn and independent dogs interested in you and your training is to make the training sessions short and fun. If the sessions are too long, they can get bored and become unresponsive to your commands.

Find out what they like to be rewarded with, and you can use it to your advantage. Positive reward training is the most effective way to train a dog. If your Affen Tzu inherits the Shih Tzu appetite, tasty treats will likely be their favorite reward.

As with any dog, early socialization is vital if you want a well-behaved pet. The last thing you want is a stubborn Affen Tzu who is also obnoxious and aggressive toward other animals.

Because of their size and adorable appearance, some owners make the mistake of allowing them to get away with mischief because they think it's harmless. Some Affen Tzus have 'small dog syndrome, but you can keep them in check with training.

Grooming ✂️

The Affen Tzu is not hypoallergenic like their Affenpischer parent, but they'll likely be a lower-shedding dog. Depending on how long their coat is and what style you select, you'll need to brush them almost daily to keep them healthy. If you choose a longer haircut like the Shih Tzu's (although it won't be as long), they need to be brushed more often to keep matting and hair knots at bay.

The Affen Tzu has a tiny mouth with compact teeth, and you need to brush their teeth twice every week. Start when they're young, and it will keep their pearly whites in good condition and keep periodontal diseases at bay.

Because they don't need a lot of exercise, you'll have to clip their nails regularly; otherwise, they'll become long and painful. Whenever you groom them, inspect their ears. Affen Tzus are susceptible to regular ear infections. If they become smelly or you notice them scratching their ears frequently, take them to the vet.

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Health and Conditions ❤️

The Affen Tzu is a healthy dog with a long lifespan of 11 to 15 years. Because they're a mixed breed, they can suffer from health problems that affect either of their parents. So, be sure to become familiar with them and their signs.

Male vs. Female

There is little difference between male and female Affen Tzus. The only real difference is that males are larger than females, but being so small, it is hardly noticeable.

Their upbringing and environment are more influential on their personality, and a male or female Affen Tzu will make a loyal pet.

Conclusion

As long as you keep the Affen Tzu busy and excited, your relationship be rewarding. They'll provide you and your family with a lot of entertainment and affection. However, they need constant attention and require thorough training to ensure they develop into well-behaved canines.

Are you ready to serve the Affen Tzu? If so, what are you waiting for - your diva designer doggy is out there expecting your call.

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• German Shepherd Terrier Mix

• Samoyed German Shepherd Mix

Featured Image Credit: Pikist