Affen Spaniel

Characteristics

Health & Longevity

Average Life Span: 10-15 years
The Affen Spaniel, a mix of a Cocker Spaniel and an Affenpinscher, is a small pup with overall good health. She has great genetics from two parent breeds with very few major health issues. However, there are a few minor health issues to look for. Most of these health problems become prevalent in the later years of your Affen Spaniel’s life, but there are a few issues that prevail at birth.

Allergies – Affen Spaniels, like most Cocker Spaniel mixes, are prone to allergies. Their long fur can trap dirt and dust, pressing it close to their bodies or around their faces. If your Affen Spaniel has allergies, the symptoms include red eyes, hair loss, blotchy skin, constant sneezing, runny nose, runny eyes, severe scratching, and loss of appetite. A vet can prescribe allergy medications and recommend a nutritious dog food that will improve your Affen Spaniel’s immunities to prevent future allergic reactions. You wouldn’t think a hypoallergenic pup would be prone to allergies, but no dog is 100% hypoallergenic. And the term “hypoallergenic” usually only applies to pet owners with allergies, not the pets themselves.

Elbow Dysplasia – This condition occurs at birth, or even a bit before it, when an Affen Spaniel is still developing. The joint in the elbow slips in and out of the socket, causing cartilage deterioration, pinched nerves, and bone rub. Over time, this condition could result in severe arthritis and a permanent, painful limp. A vet will recommend a surgical procedure to correct this condition. Surgeries are easier on younger crossbreed canines, so ask your vet about fixing elbow dysplasia at the first sign of problems.

Affen Spaniels live long, healthy lives. Their lifespan can be anywhere from 10 to 15 years, and there are a few cases where an Affen Spaniel has lived longer than that. To ensure your pup lives for as long as possible, schedule routine vet check-ups, feed them a healthy, nutritious diet, and take them on regular, long walks for exercise.

Temperament & Train-ability

One of the best crossbreed dogs for families, the Affen Spaniel is known for being friendly, affectionate, and protective of loved ones. The only problem you might have is incessant barking. Sometimes these pups are startled by night-time noises, causing them to become overly alert and bark repeatedly for minutes at a time. You can train them out of this habit by telling them when to stop barking and rewarding them for complying.

Affen Spaniel puppies are naturally easier to take care of because adults have already formed family bonds with others. This can make re-homing hard on the dog, but through patience and perseverance, you can form your own bond with an older Affen Spaniel. If there are children in your household, ensure that they know how to act appropriately around a dog. Aggressive petting or rough-housing could cause the Affen Spaniel to react in a negative way. Teach kids to be gentle, patient, and kind to their new pup.

Exercise-wise, the Affen Spaniel needs a moderate amount of daily activity. 2 walks per day is sufficient. Even better if you have a fenced-in backyard, or a dog park nearby. These pups are also excellent swimmers!

Albeit social pups, the Affen Spaniel can do well on their own for a few hours, but never leave them alone overnight. You might come back home to chewed up furniture and shoes because your dog grew anxious without you around.

When it comes to training, the Affen Spaniel is highly intelligent and clever, but she can be stubborn. You overcome her stubbornness by giving her clear, precise instructions. When she picks up on your role as alpha, she’ll better follow your commands. Reward her with treats, encouragement, and praise. Avoid hitting or yelling at your Affen Spaniel. Negative actions result in negative behavior, with any dog.

Grooming

Both a Cocker Spaniel and an Affenpinscher are known for having lengthy, sometimes curly hair. So, inevitably, the Affen Spaniel will have a variation of a long, wavy coat. Brush her hair twice a day, once in the morning and once at night to prevent matting. This will keep her hair tangle-free, soft, smooth, and shiny.

For bathing, use gentle dog shampoo, and only bathe your Affen Spaniel when she gets dirty. Bathing her too much could strip her coat of skin-protecting oils, resulting in rashes and itchiness. If you have a hard time keeping the mats and tangles out of her coat, consider having her fur professionally trimmed to a more manageable length.

Diet

As a small to mid-sized crossbreed, the Affen Spaniel needs at least 2 cups of high-quality dry dog food per day, spread across 2 meals. They are voracious eaters, prone to overeating, so set up an eating schedule that they can easily follow and prepare for. An eating schedule will also cut down on begging, or worse, food stealing.
 

Find An Affen Spaniel Breeder

Affen Spaniel Puppies For Sale

Adopt An Affen Spaniel

Cost

The Affen Spaniel is a rare crossbreed in considerably high demand, so it might be difficult to find a reputable breeder. If you do manage to find a breeder, you are looking at upwards of $900 for a puppy. This excludes vet visits, vaccinations, flea protection, and accessories, like a collar, food, toys, and dog dishes.

Check the local shelters for an Affen Spaniel before you search for a breeder. Adoption fees could be anywhere from $200 to $300, depending on the age and physical health of the pup.

Paws ‘N’ Pups Ranking

Paws ‘N’ Pups ranks every breed out of 4 with 1 being easiest to integrate into your life and 4 being the toughest – The lower the ranking the better.

Ranking takes into account a few basic factors including cost, skill level needed, high vs low maintenance and how critical regular training is to success. Affen Spaniels are easy to integrate into your life, so she ranks 1.5 on the scale. Her sensitive nature demands a loving, compassionate, gentle family, but she will reward you with lifelong affection. The Affen Spaniel needs a forever home, so make sure this is the pup you truly want before purchasing one. She is wholly loyal and bonds completely with her loved ones. It takes her longer to get over a heartbreak than it would most other dogs.

 

Cocker Spaniel

Affenpinscher

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

Papillon