BACK TO THE BASICS…IT’S TIME
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Remember, movement is to be light and free, sometimes described as jaunty. Neither excessive reach and drive nor hackneyed gaits are called for in the Standard.
AFFENPINSCHER Priorities of Type • Monkey like expression • Preferred height 9 1/2 inches-11 1/2 inches • Square appearance, bitches may be longer • Hindlegs set under the body • Substance - must be sturdy • Temperament is comical, inquisitive • Gait is sound, tracking 4 square converging with speed • Coat is harsh, neat but shaggy
When hindquarters are exaggerated, the dog will have a sloping topline, standing with the hindlegs stretched out behind the rear. Or they may appear to be standing on their hocks rather than on their feet, moving with hocks so over-angulated they look as if sickled. When this exaggerated rear angulation is coupled with a moderate front, the rear must swing around to avoid interfer- ence with the front legs when the dog is in motion. Remember, movement is to be light and free, sometimes described as jaun- ty. Neither excessive reach and drive nor hackneyed gaits are called for in the Standard. Assessing movement matters. Affens can and should be SOUND. When they are bred to the Standard they will have “light, free, sound, bal- anced, confident [movement]…legs move parallel to each other [and]…con- verge toward a midline as speed increases. Unsound gait is to be heavily penal- ized.” A fast, ground-covering gait is not compatible with breed type, and should not be rewarded. Connecting the dots from the Standard thus far, we have a “squarish” appearing, sturdy, compact Toy dog with medium bone, with MODERA- TION asked for seven times. Not once is an attribute described as exaggerated. Now, onto coat and presentation. Yes, style is style and may well be just a current fad, BUT when is enough enough ? NOW! We know the hair should be dense, rough, and harsh on the body and shoulders, about an inch long, and somewhat shorter on the tail and rear, with furnishings longer and less harsh. According to the Standard, which sets the breed type, in the mature adult a cape or mane of strong hair is to blend into the back coat at the WITHERS. This is where the current problem with breed type in grooming begins. Where does the Standard speak to building up a long-arched neck starting at the middle of the back; backcombing, spraying up much like a Poodle all the way to the back of the skull? I have looked and looked and can’t find it anywhere. So, back to my point about Back to Basics—the Affen itself (and in its appear- ance) should be MODERATE in every way. I agree that this presentation is somewhat attractive, but what it creates in the overall view and outline is in direct conflict with the Standard. It may give the appearance of a short back, but also promotes a ski sloped topline, a long neck, and great exaggeration. On a positive note, coat color, tails, and ears have improved. It’s so nice to have the essence of the monkey-like expression present and rewarded very often. The distance between the eyes is to be approximately the length of the muzzle; a well-defined stop, finishing-off to a blunt nose, with open nares set straight and tipping neither up nor down. The nose and eye rims must be BLACK. To achieve the monkey-like expression, the eyes themselves must be medium in size, round, dark and brilliant, and set in the middle of the skull without corners or set obliquely. A prominent lower lip line is the icing on the cake. Color is a near non-issue now. Breeders are more interested in color and
Illustration by Anne M. Hier
Prepared and published by the Affenpinscher Club of America, Inc. copyright 2011 For a copy of this publication please contact Affenpinscher Club of America, Inc. Corresponding Secretary www.affenpinscher.org Proper profile as shown in the Affenpinscher Club of America, Inc. Illustrated Standard. Illustration by Anne M. Hier
SHOWSIGHT MAGAZINE, JANUARY 2021 | 181
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