HISTORY
Country of origin: Germany
The Affenpinscher is one of the oldest toy breeds, but its history is a mystery. Affenpinscher-like dogs were frequently depicted in paintings by the ancient Dutch Masters from the fourteenth century. Affen, which means monkey, and Pinscher, which means terrier, are the two words that best describe the Affenpinscher. Frenchs also name the Affenpinscher the diablotin moustachu or the tiny mustached devil.
By the seventeenth century, terrier dogs that were good at killing rats were common in central Europe and Germany. Later, random crossing with the Pug, German Pinscher, and German Silky Pinscher originated the Affenpinscher.
As a result, various wire-coated toys, most notably the Brussels griffon, descended from the Affenpinscher.