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EARLY HISTORY OF THE BREED

The Affenpinscher has its origin in Germany. The progenitor of the breed was probably a rough-coated little ratter that survived in the central European countries by its clever personality and its rodent-killing abilities. The Flemish artist Jan Van Eyck (1390–1441) included in his painting The Marriage of Giovanni Arnolfini and Giovanna Cenami a scruffy terrier-type dog, placed facing the audience between the newlyweds. This is an example of the type of dog that probably was the ancestor of both the Brussels Griffon and the Affenpinscher. Albrecht Durer (1471–1525) from Nuremberg, Germany included a small dog in several of his woodcuts that suggest the existence of this “Long-haired Dwarf Terrier.” Seventeenth-century painter Gabriel Metsu (1629–1667) portrayed a little dog that looks very much like our contemporary Affenpinscher in his celebrated work A Soldier Receiving a Young Woman, which today hangs in the Louvre. Other dog enthusiasts claim these representations as early examples of their own breeds. One thing certain is that a small rough-coated household dog similar to the Affenpinscher existed and was admired for several centuries.

In addition to the Affenpinscher, the Miniature Pinscher, the Miniature Schnauzer and the Brussels Griffon were all probably generated from this same type of dog. Later, with the infusion of other breeds plus selective breeding, the specifics of breed type developed and were promoted. For example, breeders crossed in the Pug to develop the Brussels Griffon, while others added the English Black and Tan Terrier to create the Miniature Pinscher. By adding a small, dark schnauzer-type hunting dog from southern Russia, the Miniature Schnauzer was created. In each of these breeds’ histories there were times when it became necessary to cross back into the associated breeds to keep the newer breed viable. In any case, the Affenpinscher is an old breed.

Official records or formal breeding programs for this breed did not exist until the late 1800s. Dog show records from the 1870s and ‘80s in southern Germany, around Frankfurt and Munich, reflect that the breed was firmly established and exhibited. In an 1889 publication, The Canine Chronicle, there is a description of a special show in Frankfurt sponsored by a club for the German Toy Rat-terriers (Affenpinschers). “Affenpinscher” was first used for the name of the breed at this time. Until then the word “Affenpinscher” was used as an adjective. At this show there were classes for dogs weighing under 5 pounds and over 5 pounds. By the early 1900s these two size classifications seemed to disappear. The smaller ones assumed the former nickname, Affenpinscher, with the larger type being absorbed into the Miniature Schnauzer breed. Instead of its earlier function of being a “ratter,” the smaller Affenpinscher is more of a “mouser.” However, even today a large specimen of between 13 to 16 inches might appear in a closely line-bred litter. These larger throw-backs generally have great personalities and are of good breed type, except for the size and the fact that their muzzles may be a bit longer. This larger type usually makes an excellent companion for a family with young children.

AFFENS IN ART

One of the earliest visual records of the Affenpinscher’s existence is in a woodcut by Albrecht Durer (1471–1525). A portrait of a French-owned Affenpinscher by the Dutch artist Charles Verlai sometime before 1890 indicates that by then the breed was already becoming known outside its native Germany. The Affenpinscher also appears in some paintings by the French artist Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841–1919).

A Victorian-era postcard showing an Affenpinscher of early type. Courtesy of the author.

From Volume II (1903–1907) of the registration book for the German Pinscher-Schnauzer Club (PSK), the Affenpinscher is listed for the first time as a separate breed. Fourteen specimens are recorded. Except for during World War I (1914–1918), the numbers continued to thrive until 1939, with the majority of the breed coming from the area around Munich. It seems that the Affenpinscher reached a high point in the late ‘20s and early ‘30s. The people with wealth and fame in German society promoted the breed. It was often seen in dog acts on stage and in circuses. With the onset of World War II in 1939, the decline began, and the breed’s popularity was never again the same in Germany. Of late, the number of Affenpinschers born annually in Germany remains only in the teens.

In early years the breed came in a variety of colors. Then under the leadership of the prominent breeder von Otto, a decision was made that a black coat best suited the personality of the breed. From 1917 to 1923, 60% of the Affenpinschers were of colors other than black. Gradually black became the predominant color. In 1935, 78% of the registered dogs were black. As late as 1954, 5% were still colors other than black. Now, throughout Europe and England, black is the preferred color, and no other color is encouraged or allowed to be exhibited. In North America the colors that were first described for the breed are accepted equally, and many of them are shown. However, the majority of Affens in America are black.

The dogs represented in photographs from the early 1900s closely resemble today’s Affenpinschers. Obviously, the type for the breed was set early on and has been maintained over the years by a few devoted breeders around the world. It seems odd that this breed has never reached the popularity it deserves. Its greatest strides have been made in America and recently in England.

ENTER THE BRUSSELS GRIFFON

The Affenpinscher served as foundation stock for another toy breed, the Brussels Griffon, which descended from crosses between the Belgian street dog (Griffon D’Ecurie) and the Affenpinscher, with later crosses to the Pug and the Ruby Spaniel. During World War II, when Affenpinschers became almost extinct, German breeders crossed Affenpinschers back to the Brussels Griffon, resulting in undershot jaws and shorter muzzles. The modern Brussels Griffon is generally more outgoing than the Affenpinscher, with a shorter nose and rounder head. While black Brussels Griffons are permitted, that breed is usually red, belge or black and tan.

Janet Brook’s rendering in oil of a black Affenpinscher head. Courtesy of the author.

THE AFFENPINSCHER IN AMERICA

Affenpinschers were first listed in the American Kennel Club stud book in November 1936. At this time an abbreviated translation of the German standard was accepted as the American breed standard. The first entry in the stud book was for Nolli v Anwander. This was a German female imported in whelp by Mrs. Bessie Mally of Cicero, Illinois. The first male that she imported was Osko von der Franziskusklause. From 1936 to 1940, Mrs. Mally had 22 Affenpinschers listed in the stud books. During these years, 27 dogs were registered with the AKC. A few other enthusiasts also had imports or bred with Mrs. Mally’s dogs. During this period Thelma D. Wolfe exhibited her dog, named Duke of Wolfe II. By some accounts this dog became a champion. However, October 1940 was the last Affenpinscher entry in the Stud Book for the next nine years. Sadly, there are no records or reasons given for this abrupt end of the breeding of Affenpinschers in America. Likely US involvement with the Allies in World War II and the accompanying hostilities toward all things German led to the Affenpinscher’s decline in popularity. No one seems to know what happened to these early dogs, and none is found in the pedigrees of the later dogs in America.

The renowned dog fancier Mrs. Henrietta Proctor Donnell Reilly, of Larchmount, NY, continued the exhibiting of the breed during these years. Her German import Ger. Ch. Niki v. Zwergteufel won Best of Breed at the Westminster Dog Show for six consecutive years, from 1938–1943. Then a kennel mate of Niki, Ger. Ch. Everl v. d. Franziskusklause, won for the next four years through 1947. No record of Mrs. Reilly’s kennel name, Etty Haven, is found in the stud books, so no breeding of her Affenpinschers was done or none of these offspring was registered.

The next American encounter with this breed was in 1949, when an import owned by Mrs. Evelyne Brody, Ch. Bub v. Anwander, became the first Affenpinscher champion according to American Kennel Club records. This dog also went on to become the first Affenpinscher to place in the Toy Group. During the next several years Mrs. Brody’s kennel name, Cedarlawn, from Nashotah, Wisconsin, dominated the listings in the stud book. Many of the Affenpinschers today can trace their bloodlines back to the Cedarlawn dogs.

Soon Mrs. Walter Kauffmann and her daughters, Helga and Louisa, from Westwood, New Jersey, also imported dogs. Interestingly these later imports came from the same kennels in Germany from which Mrs. Mally had gotten her original dogs. The Kauffmanns, under the Walhof name, became prominent breeders and exhibitors. Helga Kauffmann exhibited extensively and had the top group-placing Affenpinschers for many years. Their champion Walhof Margaretenklause Ivy, a female, was the first Affenpinscher to win the Toy Group, and their Ch. Je-Bil’s Yogi Bear was the first male Toy Group winner. Some of these early dogs produced colors other than black. When looking back at the AKC stud books, it seems that two of the Kauffmann imports, when bred together, produced reds. Ch. Kraus v. d. Margaretenklause and Ch. Blanka v. d. Charlottenhohe were the parents of Walhof Little Red Riding Hood. Later the Kauffmanns’ Ch. Walhof Ivin was the first red champion, and his littermate Ch. Walhof Boutonniere became the first black-and-tan champion. These two dogs were out of Ch. Walhof Margaretenklause Lee and Walhof Margaretenklause Jan. When Boutonniere was bred to Little Red Riding Hood they produced top-winning Ch. Walhof Ivy, a black-and-tan group winner, and Ch. Walhof Blackberry Brandi. With the help of Jerry Zalon they produced many dogs of colors other than black. From these early dogs the color genes can be traced into England and continental Europe today. The Kauffmanns were probably the most instrumental breeders in the development of the Affenpinscher in America. The Walhof prefix is behind nearly all of the dogs in North America and England.

MEET THE MONKEY TERRIER

In German, the word affenmartig means “monkey-like,” and the word pinscher means “terrier.” The Affenpinscher is sometimes called the “monkey terrier,” and this may be how it got its alternative name. However, the “monkey” label may have come into common use simply because of the breed’s bewhiskered and mischievous expression and amusing behavior. In France, the breed is often called the “Diablotin Moustachu,” or the “mustached little devil,” another clue to its behavior.

From Florence Strohmaier’s successful Flo-Star kennels, here is seven-month-old Flo-Star’s Little Tiam, who became one of Florence’s important sires.

Another important kennel that greatly influenced the breed in the ’50s and ’60s was Arthur and Mary Harrington’s Aff-Airn kennels from Albany, New York. Aff-Airn continued on with what Mrs. Brody had begun. They also bred with the Walhof kennels. One among many notable dogs of their breeding, Ch. Aff-Airn Tag Along, made a significant contribution to the breed.

In 1958, Mrs. Florence Strohmaier became a friend of the Harringtons and started working with the Aff-Airn Affens. After the death of Mary and Arthur, Mrs. Strohmaier continued their lines but went out on her own under the name Flo-Star kennels. Her dogs continue to have an impact on the breed in the US, Canada, England, Ireland, Scotland, Holland and Germany. Ch. Flo-Star’s Adam of Joy, a grandson of Ch. Walhof Boutonniere, is behind many of the top-winning and top-producing Affenpinschers. Am., Can. and Bermuda Ch. Flo-Star’s Holy Terror and Am., Can., Bermuda and Dutch Ch. Flo-Star’s Tandy Tane were some of Mrs. Strohmaier’s important contributors to the breed. Ch. Flo-Star’s Titus Tiberius, CD was one of the first conformation- and obedience-titled Affenpinschers to get Toy Group placements. Primarily known for her black dogs, Mrs. Strohmaier won Winners Dog and Winners Bitch at the 1997 national specialty with her red or wild boar Affens. The Flo-Star Affens are known for their typey heads and good substance. Until her death in 2005, Flo Strohmaier consistently remained involved with the Affenpinscher. Her 48 years in the breed stand as a legacy, making her involvement longer than that of any other breeder in America.

In the early 1960s, Tobin Jackson and D. V. Gibbs got their start in the breed from the Walhof and Aff-Airn kennels. Soon the Deer Run Affenpinschers from Frenchtown, New Jersey were making a mark in the dog world. Most American Affenpinschers have Deer Run bloodlines behind them. Jackson and Gibbs also wrote about the breed in How to Raise and Train an Affenpinscher, published in 1969, now out of print. Mr. Jackson also wrote interesting and informative articles for the magazine Popular Dogs. In the mid-’60s, Bonnie (Hawkins) Sellner began working with and showing the Deer Run dogs. Ms. Sellner has worked with several other kennels, helping with their breeding programs and exhibiting their dogs.

Imported Affenpinschers continued to make their mark into the 1960s. Mrs. Lester H. Tillman, Jr. of Oyster Bay, New York, owned and exhibited the top-winning Affenpinscher of 1963, Ch. Babs von Reburg. This little dog came from Austria.

A number of midwestern breeders helped to advance the breed during the 1960s and ’70s. Jean and Bill Becker, from Decatur, Illinois, starting with the Walhof lines, bred and exhibited many fine Affenpinschers under the Je-Bil kennel name. The Kauffmanns owned and exhibited Ch. Je-Bil’s Yogi Bear, who was one of that era’s top show dogs.

The Reverend Clyde Zarski and his Apache kennels from Rhinelander, Wisconsin combined the Walhof and Aff-Airn lines to produce a number of fine champions. Mrs. Lois Wolf (McManus) White, now a dog show judge living in California, handled dogs for and co-owned dogs with Rev. Zarski. One of these dogs of note was top-winning Ch. Apache Cricket Again. Mrs. White also bred a few litters and has been active with the development of the AKC Affenpinscher breed video and the breed standard. In the 1970s Kay Wurtz, also from Wisconsin, under the King’s Royal name, continued with the Apache lines and bred and showed Affens until the late ’80s.

It seems that the 1960s brought much enthusiasm, interest and controversy to the breed. Breeders gathered to form a club but soon there were arguments over the standard and, specifically, over the height of the Affenpinscher. Some wanted the breed to remain at 10.25 inches. Others felt that the dogs would be sounder and easier to breed if they were a bit larger. This battle became heated and caused a split in the club, with one faction forming the American Affenpinscher Association and the other the Affenpinscher Club of America. With time and civility the fancy joined together again as the Affenpinscher Club of America, which still exists but is still often embroiled in controversy.

HAVE YOU HEARD?

Here an unsubstantiated story needs to be related. The rumor is that during the mid-1950s a breeder, who was a scientist and concerned with the fragileness and light bones in the breed at that time, found a small black undershot Miniature Schnauzer female. He surreptitiously included her into the breeding program of his well-known Affenpinscher kennel. The sources for this information explained that many of the young Affens at the time were breaking their legs and lacked the necessary bone density. This “out-cross” was intended to rectify this problem. Some of these offspring went to the Midwest, as well as to several breeders in the East. It was felt that this infusion of new genes did improve the situation. Some of the larger-sized, longer-muzzled Affenpinschers can be traced back to this experiment.

The Affenpinscher, as a respected show dog with consistent group placements, started to make its mark in the mid-1970s. More professional handlers and enthusiastic breeder-exhibitors got involved. The overall quality and showmanship in the breed improved. A more refined and sculptured appearance for the show ring developed. The judges took note and more and more Affenpinschers began placing and winning in the toy ring. However, what the appropriate look is or how much grooming is right for the breed added to the controversy.

THE MODERN ERA

Jerry Zalon, who started with the Walhof kennels in the 1950s, founded the Eblon kennels in New York City in the ’70s. He specialized in producing the various colors of the breed. His breeding program continued into the ’80s with the help of Osmin and Marjorie Montjovier, whose Osmar kennel name is behind many of the dogs in Canada and the US. Their Am. and Can. Ch. Eblon Seal Noir was the top-winning Affenpinscher in 1976. This dog was often shown by Mrs. Jane Forsyth. During the late ’60s Mr. Zalon and Ms. Montjovier began writing an Affenpinscher periodical named Monkey Shines. This publication continued for only a short time, but it reflected the interest and enthusiasm for the breed.

In Canada, during the 1970s and ’80s, Vicki Garrett-Knill started with the Osmar Affens and added the Hilane bloodlines to produce both fine show and obedience dogs. Her kennel name was Wicksteed. One of her breeding, which was owned by the author, Ch. Wicksteed’s Red Capuchin, was one of the top-producing dams, with seven champions. She was out of Can. Ch. Wicksteed’s Marmoset Rouge bred to Ch. Sharpette’s Tiny Tim. Another of her contributions was in the red and wild boar or belge colors. These colored specimens were of excellent type. Vicki and Carl Knill and their family have moved to Georgia and are no longer active in the breed. Marjorie and David Reynolds continue with these lines in Canada under the prefix Reyson. A red female out of Ch. FMK’s Zulu of Hilane and Wick-steed’s Tekahionwake, Ch. Reyson’s Sunshine Too V Hilane is behind some important and successful show dogs.

In the mid-1960s Mrs. Lillian Brandi, from Hackettstown, New Jersey, began with Affenpinschers from the Walhof kennels and Brandicreek dogs bred by Helen Barbeau. Mrs. Brandi showed her Ch. Walhof Blackberry Brandi to prestigious wins in 1967 and ’68. She was credited with changing the grooming style of the show Affenpinscher by neatening and shaping the outline and reducing the amount of body coat. This new image for the breed gained her notice. Of course controversy ensued and the debate over what is the correct “look” for the breed continues today. Her breeding program continued into the 1980s with a dog that she bred, Ch. Brandicreek Frisky Whisky, who did some nice winning. Frisky Whisky was owned and handled by Howard and Joyce Stadele of Middlesex, New Jersey.

A red champion, Ch. Reyson’s Sunshine Too V Hilane, bred by Marjorie Reynolds, has produced many important Affenpinschers.

Mrs. Emily Kinsley of Easton, Pennsylvania was another who started her breeding program with dogs from the Harringtons. On June 25, 1966, This Week, the Sunday newspaper supplement, had a photo of Mrs. Kinsley’s puppy, Aff-Airn A Go Go Kins, on its cover. This gave the breed some much-needed publicity. The top-winning Affenpinscher for 1966, owned by Mrs. Kinsley, was Ch. Aff-Airn Wee Winnie Winkie, who also came from the Harringtons. Winkie had her 21, the largest entry for the breed at that time. She was also the second owner-handled Affen to place first in the Toy Group. For the next 25 years Mrs. Kinsley’s Aff-Kin’s line produced many champions and had a positive impact on the breed. Her Can. Ch. Aff-Kin’s Licorice Chewy, owned by Mrs. Lorna (Thompson) Spratt of Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada, became the first Affenpinscher to win Best in Show in Canada. Later, in 1991, Chewy’s and Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy’s son Am. and Can. Ch. Ceterra’s Rock-N-Robbie won a US national specialty and an American all-breed Best in Show. Robbie was shown by Mrs. Delores Burkholder, who is at the time of this writing an AKC dog show representative. More recently Robbie’s son Can. Ch. Ceterra’s Billy the Kid joined his grandmother to be the second Affenpinscher to win a Canadian all-breed Best in Show. Another of Rock-N-Robbie’s sons, Ch. Ceterra’s Little Black Sambo, out of Ch. Aff-Kin’s Kischia Frolics, is the sire of several of the top show dogs today. Lorna Spratt and Sherry Galagan continue to breed and exhibit in Canada.

Ch. FMK’s Zulu of Hilane is the sire of Ch. Reyson’s Sunshine Too V Hilane (shown above).

Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy, bred by William Beskie and owner Jerome Cushman, became the fourth Affen to win an all-breed Best in Show. He is currently the top sire in the breed.

Starting with the Aff-Kin’s Affens, Sue and Don Spahr of Scottsdale, Arizona developed the Su-Dawn line. Their most famous dog was multiple Best in Show and national specialty winner in 1992, Ch. Su-Dawn’s Pee Wee Herman. This great show dog did much for the breed, especially in the West during the early ’90s. Pee Wee’s dam was Ch. Su-Dawn’s Affins Krystal, bred by Emily Kinsley. She became a top producer with eight champions from another of their fine dogs, Ch. Su-Dawn’s Where Thear’s Smoke. Utilizing the Su-Dawn lines, Judith Benjamin also bred Affenpinschers in the Southwest. She owned Ch. Subira’s Whoopie Goldberg, who did very well in the show ring in the early ’90s.

Am. and Can. Ch. Ceterra’s Rock-N-Robbie, a national specialty and Best in Show winner.

Another important early breeder, Lucille E. Meystedt, who came from Missouri and later moved to Texas, began in Affenpinschers in 1962. Starting with a dog bred by the Kauffmanns named Walhof Hi Quotation and females from Cassel Hills kennels, who also go back to Walhof lines, she kept the breed going in the southern and western parts of the United States through the 1980s. In 1967 she brought in a dog from Germany. This male, Ch. Vinzenz v Greifensee, was the most titled Affenpinscher in the history of the breed. He had his International, German, American, Canadian, Mexican and Colombian championships. Another of her breeding, Ch. Balu’s Arkady Herzchen Katze, who was called “Sugar,” became the fifth Affenpinscher to earn an all-breed Best in Show. Mary and Bill Wasson and George and Phyllis Willis of Texas owned Sugar.

The most famous dog from Su-Dawn Affens is multiple Best in Show and national specialty winner Ch. Su-Dawn’s Pee Wee Herman, owned by Don and Sue Spahr. Pee Wee did much for the breed in the West during the 1990s.

Mrs. Meystedt’s Balu kennels continued until her death in 1991. In almost 30 years in the breed she had a major influence on the Affenpinscher not only with her breeding program but also through her writings in the magazine Popular Dogs and as an AKC dog show judge. She exported dogs to England, Ireland, Australia and Germany. Lucille Meystedt showed and finished one of the first Affenpinschers with natural ears.

Ch. Balu’s Arkady Herzchen Katze, “Sugar,” bred by Lucille E. Meystedt and owned by Mary and Bill Wasson and George and Phyllis Willis, became the fifth Affenpinscher to win an all-breed BIS.

Another Texas exhibitor and breeder is Elizabeth Muir-Cham-berlain who began with dogs from George and Phyllis Willis. Soon she produced Am., Mex., World and Int. Ch. Periwinkle Godzilla, whose sire and dam are Ch. Cetera’s Little Black Sambo and Ch. Tajar’s Midnight Munchkin. Godzilla did well in the show ring and produced several of today’s top show dogs. These include Ch. Yarrow’s Mighty Joe Young, bred by Beth Sweigart, Letisha Wubbel and Doris Tolone and owned by Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale, and Ch. Hilane’s Harry Potter, the top-winning Affenpinscher in Canada, owned by Sandra Lex.

From the famous Hawaiian five came these two top winners: Ch. El Cocagi Eli Eli Wahine, “Posey,” (left) and Ch. El Cocagi Kamehameha, “Bear” (right), bred by Ellen and Gil Stoewsand.

In New Mexico, Patricia Bouldin continues with the Balu bloodlines and added King’s Royal dogs from the late Kay Wurtz. Bouldin’s Tajar Affenpinschers have had an impact on England as well as America. Barbara and Jenna Gresser in Arizona have used and exhibited the Tajar dogs and dogs from Marilyn Holt in Oregon to develop their breeding and exhibiting program under the name Black Forest. Among their important dogs is Ch. Black Forest Cookie Monster.

THE HAWAIIAN IMPACT

The tidal-wave event in the modern history of the Affenpinscher was the birth of the famous Hawaiian litter. This occurred when Ellen and Gil Stoewsand, from Geneva, New York, bought a male whose name was Deer Run Goblin Del Cocagi from Tobin Jackson. After completing Goblin’s championship, Mrs. Stoewsand searched for several years before she managed to obtain a female from Lucille Meystedt, Ch. Balu’s Schwartz Diamant. Unexpectedly the Stoewsands received a six-month appointment to go to the University of Hawaii. Dr. Gil Stoewsand is a researcher for Cornell University. A few days into the new year of 1976, Gil, Ellen and their two daughters, Corrine and Cathy, with their two Affens landed in Honolulu. Because Hawaii is rabies free, the dogs had to remain in quarantine for four months. In February of 1976, while in quarantine, a litter of six puppies was delivered by C-section from Ch. Balu’s Schwartz Diamant, who was called “Dema.” Dr. and Mrs. Stoewsand had high praise for the concern and care their dogs received while in quarantine. They were allowed to visit them daily and the facilities were excellent. This information is included here to allay some of the fears associated with putting dogs into quarantine, as is necessary in England, parts of Europe and many of the rabies-free islands. Dogs, from most reports, come out of the experience in good condition and well adjusted.

Of these six puppies out of Goblin and Dema, one did not survive the first week. Another male was very weak and lived only through the heroic efforts of the Stoewsands’ youngest daughter, Cathy, and was later kept at their home as a pet. A third male was sold to a woman in Hawaii who later took the dog back to Germany. Of the four brought back to the mainland, two were kept and shown by Mrs. Stoewsand, Ch. El Cocagi Alii, whose name means “Royalty,” and Ch. El Cocagi Eli Eli Wahine, which means “Black Girl” in Hawaiian. Alii was called “Taz” and was later sold to Julianna Bitter in California. “Posey,” which was Eli Eli Wahine’s call name, had a prestigious show career, starting with winning Best of Breed at the Affenpinscher Club of America’s first specialty match in 1976. She was even more influential as a top-producing female.

Here’s Ch. El Cocagi’s Panda Bear, an important sire in the breed.

The fourth puppy was a male bought by professional handler Robert Sharp for his daughter Jennifer. This dog was named Ch. El Cocagi Kamehameha (named for the last king of Hawaii) and called “Bear.” He was the top-winning Affenpinscher for several years. On June 11, 1978, Bear became the first Affenpinscher to receive an all-breed Best in Show, under judge Robert Wills at the Tonawanda Valley Kennel Club in upstate New York. In 1980 he won Best of Breed at the first officially supported entry for Affenpinschers. Champion El Cocagi Kamehameha was a wonderful show dog and attracted many enthusiasts to the breed.

Ch. Balu’s Schwartz Zucker Fuss, bred by Lucille Meystedt.

Mr. Sharp’s assistant at the time, who conditioned, groomed and later owned Bear, was Bonnie (Hawkins) Sellner. She has had a long and continuing association with the breed as a handler, owner and breeder. Her kennel name is Wyn Willow. Several dogs from her breeding out of Kamehameha or his offspring have made an impact on the breed. Giancarlo Volante, from California, showed a triple Kamehameha great-grandson, Ch. Puff Von Apache Rauchen, who became the third Affenpinscher to win an all-breed Best in Show. He repeated this feat with several more Bests, including two in Mexico.

The second all-breed Best in Show winning Affenpinscher, and first female to do so, was Ch. Christina v. Silber Wald, owned by Jack and Joann Beutel of Portland, Oregon and handled by Paul and Pauline Booher. Because there were so few Affenpinschers in the area where “Chrissy” lived and was shown, she had to finish her championship by winning the Toy Group. Margret Lewis of Tuxedo, New York bred Chrissy. Mrs. Lewis came from Germany and imported her original breeding stock from there. Chrissy’s sire was Ch. Von Tiki’s My Pal Joey and her dam was Primrose v. Silber Wald. Linda and Dorothy Strydio, who bred and exhibited a number of Affens during the 1970 and ’80s, bred the sire.

AFFEN SMOKE IN OBEDIENCE

In 1980 there was another first for the Affenpinscher breed. Vicki Hart Schierer’s Ch. Me Own T G’s Smoke Signal became the first conformation champion and Utility Dog obedience title winner. Theresa Battle bred “Smokey.” His remarkable achievement was accomplished in just nine shows. There have been a large number of obedience title winners, and several breeders work hard in this ring with great success. Terry Graham, Lois Brockson, Birdee Hills, Peggy Mershon, Mae Aspinall Dell, Barbara Swisher, Dr. Alice Schotlenstein, and Gilly Rank have been leaders for the breed in obedience training and work in agility as well. The Affenpinscher is very intelligent and loves to work if you begin training early on.

During the 1980s the Stoewsands continued the El Cocagi line and bred the top show dogs as well as top producers. Most of the top-winning Affenpinschers in the show ring during the 1980s and ’90s had one or more of the three champions from that Hawaiian litter in their pedigrees. These three dogs significantly changed the quality and type of the breed all over the world. Another of the notable dogs was Ch. El Cocagi Black Baron, who had been purchased and shown by Quentin and Blanche Roberts from California. They made him one of the top show dogs in the early ’80s.

Marjorie and David Saylor, who had finished a number of Deer Run Affens, bought Ch. El Cocagi Vampira who was out of Ch. Balu’s Schwartz Zucker and El Cocagi Scarlet O’Hare. She became a top producer with nine champions. She was bred to the Saylors’ little red dog, Ch. Deer Run’s Eric the Red. The Saylors’ Mountain View Affenpinschers are behind a number of fine red and black Affens.

One of Vampira’s sons by Ch. Flo-Star’s Little Tiam, Ch. El Cocagi Wilhelm, went to England, where he joined some other of the Flo-Star Affens at Wendy Boorer’s Furstin kennels. Wilhelm and a grandson out of Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy have contributed greatly to the Affenpinschers in the UK. Mrs. Rita Turner, whose kennel name is Gerbrae, and the late Mrs. Pat Patchen, whose prefix was Zipaty, imported five American Affenpinschers. These dogs from Hilane and Tajar added to Balu, Flo-Star, Vroni Kleine and El Cocagi lines comprise the majority of the American influence in England. According to The First Fifty Affenpinscher Champions, compiled by Dr. M. Brown and Mrs. S. Pirrie, every current-day chanpion goes back to these lines.

One of the Hilane Affens added to the breeding program of Patricia and Dr. Christine Dresser, this is Ch. Hilane’s Dress Circle Sunray, the black and tan sire of Ch. Dress Circle Good Grrief.

Ch. Dress Circle Good Grrief, bred by Patricia and Dr. Christine Dresser, won ten all-breed Bests in Show, expertly handled by Tom Glassford.

Owned and exhibited by Patricia and Dr. Christine Dresser, Ch. Hilane Dress Circle Best Bet is seen here winning the Toy Group from the Puppy Class at the 1980 Detroit Kennel Club Dog Show under famous all-breed judge Maxwell Riddle.

FURTHER WAVES OF SUCCESS

Because of the success of the El Cocagi Affenpinschers, more of the established kennels began to share their bloodlines more readily. Aff-Kins, Balu and Flo-Star kennels, with a number of new enthusiasts, eagerly crossed out to one another’s stock and improved on each of their lines. Behind all of the top contemporary show dogs one will find these four kennel names.

Another of the modern influential breeding programs is this author’s own Hilane kennels. Starting with a Kamehameha son, Ch. Sharpette’s Tiny Tim, and a female from the Stoewsands, Ch. El Cocagi Wunder Dame v. Hilane, the Hilane Affenpinschers are included in many breeding programs in North America, England, Australia, France, Sweden, Poland and Finland.

Two females from Tiny Tim and Wunder Dame won Toy Groups in the early 1980s. One of these daughters was Ch. Hilane Dress Circle Best Bet, owned and exhibited by Patricia Dresser and her daughter Dr. Christine Dresser of Medina, Ohio. Best Bet won the Toy Group from the Puppy Class at the prestigious Detroit Kennel Club Dog Show in 1980. The Dressers added several more Hilane Affens to their kennel. A black and tan, Ch. Hilane’s Dress Circle Sunray, out of Lonesome Cowboy, sired one of the top all-breed Best in Show-winning dogs, Ch. Dress Circle Good Grrief. This wonderful show dog won ten all-breed BISs handled by the well-known dog aficionado and AKC dog show official Tom Glassford. In 1989 Ch. Dress Circle Grrease Monkey, co-owned and shown by Dani Rosenberry, won the national specialty under judge James Cavallaro. Another of their breeding, Ch. Dress Circle Grrilla, owned by Connie and Marvin Clapp, won an all-breed Best in Show. Connie Clapp has been active in the breed club and is an AKC judge.

National specialty winner Ch. Dress Circle Grrease Monkey, co-owned and shown by Dani Rosenberry.

The winner of the first two AKC-licensed national Affenpinscher specialties in 1986 and 1987, the fourth Affen to win an all-breed Best in Show and, to date, all-time top-producing sire is Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy, bred, owned and shown by Jerome Cushman. His progeny continue to be the top-winning and top-producing Affenpinschers in North America and England. Cowboy’s sire was Ch. El Cocagi’s Wilhelm. Among the other notable Hilane Affenpinschers are Ch. Hilane’s Lili Marlene, Cowboy’s dam, who won Best of Breed at a supported entry under the late judge Herr Hans Holler, who at the time was president of the German PSK (Pinscher Schnauzer Club), and Ch. Hilane’s I’ll Be Jiggered, who was a top winner and supported-entry breed winner under Edith Nash Hellerman in 1981. Both Lili and Jiggers were co-owned by William Beskie and Bonnie Sue (Beskie) Ross. Bonnie Sue Ross was an ardent Affenpinscher enthusiast and worked as the secretary for the Affenpinscher Club of America when the AKC first formally recognized this club and when the first revised breed standard was accepted in 1990. Jiggers, bred to Ch. El Cocagi’s Panda Bear, produced some important males who have contributed greatly to the breed. One of them was Ch. Hilane’s Oberon of Wicksteed, owned by Vicki Garrett-Knill.

All-breed BIS winner Ch. Dress Circle Grrilla, owned by Connie and Marvin Clapp.

Ch. Hilane’s I’ll Be Jiggered, co-owned by William Beskie and Bonnie (Beskie) Ross, produced a number of top sires for the breed.

Ch. Hilane’s Reggie White, owned by Jerome Cushman.

Bred, owned and handled by author Jerome Cushman, Ch. Hilane’s Marlane was the first group-placing Affenpinscher with natural ears and tail.

Another important Affen was Ch. Hilane’s Procyon, owned by Peter Fine and Ramona Martinez Fine. This dog, called “Al,” along with Lonesome Cowboy’s son Ch. Hilane’s Alpha Centauri, became the foundation sires for the Osgood Farm’s Affenpinschers. Their first female was Ch. Wyn Willow Sirius from Bonnie Sellner. The most notable offspring of Ch. Hilane’s Alpha Centauri and Ch. Wyn Willow Sirius was the multiple Best in Show-winning Ch. Osgood Farm’s Bull Market. “Bully” was shown by both Ramona Fine and Maripi Wooldridge and won the 1990 national specialty. He was the sire of several champions including the top-winning show dogs, Ch. Osgood Farm’s Mighty Mouse. Dr. and Mrs. Brian Shack from Long Island, New York owned “Mouse.” This specialty and multiple BIS winner was shown first by Robert Fisher and later by the famous dog handler Peter Green. Mouse placed twice in the Toy Group at the prestigious Westminster Dog Show. He has gone on to produce several champions. Ch. Terian’s Black Storm Rising is one of special note. The Shacks’ dogs included some of Nancy Bryant’s Rosehill females in their Terian breeding program. Dr. Shack passed away in 2004.

In 1988 the first female to win a national Affenpinscher specialty was Ch. Ken-Jo’s Little Affen Annie, bred by Ken and Josephine Harkins and owned by Barbara Sayres. This granddaughter of both Kamehameha and of top-producing Ch. El Cocagi’s Vampira was Mrs. Sayres’s first Affenpinscher. Soon Barbara and her husband Richard, who was from a well-known dog-showing family that specialized in Kerry Blue Terriers, became very involved with the breed. They bred Annie to Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy, which was the start of the Gibbs Pond Affenpinschers. Later, the Sayreses purchased a female from Vicki Garrett-Knill, Ch. Wicksteed Cuddler of Gibbs Pond. Their Gibbs Pond kennel moved from Long Island to Maryland and later to Florida, where the Sayreses have retired from showing.

Ken and Josephine Harkins, also from Long Island, started their Affen program with the Mountain View dogs acquired from Dave and Marjorie Saylor. The Harkinses have produced some very fine black and red Affenpinschers including Ch. Ken-Jo’s Little Affen Annie’s red litter sister, Ch. Ken-Jo Ginger Schnapps.

In 1988 Ch. Ken-Jo’s Little Affen Annie became the first female to win the national specialty. She was owned by Barbara A. Sayres of the Gibbs Pond kennels and bred by Ken and Josephine M. Harkins.

In Connecticut Sharon and Richard Strempski, long-time breeders and founding members of the Affenpinscher Club of America, have their Vroni Kleine kennel. They began with the Aff-Kins lines along with dogs imported from Germany. Later they exported to Germany and England. Sharon has judged Affens in the US and England.

In New Hampshire Nancy E. Holmes’s FMK lines produced World and Am. Ch. FMK’s Zulu of Hilane, who was number-one Affenpinscher in 1989. He was sold to fanciers in Sweden and later went to new owners in New Zealand. The “Flying Monkey Kennel” (hence FMK) now has added some German lines to the breeding program and has exported a number of dogs to Europe.

Nancy Baybutt’s Sienna Gold kennel in Massachusetts, using Flo-Star, Doch’s, Terian and Hilane lines, has been producing some excellent Affenpinschers for a number of years.

Ch. Yarrow’s Super Nova, pictured winning the Group at Westminster in 2002. Owned by Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale, “Cosmos” was the first Affenpinscher to accomplish this feat. Cosmos was bred by Beth K. Sweigart and Letisha Wubbel.

With the passing of Flo Strohmaier in October 2005, an over 50-year breeding program came to an end. However, Mary Ann and Shirley Welch in Santa Paula, California are continuing the Flo-Star lines and have shown and finished a large number of the Flo-Star dogs in recent years.

IMPORTANT AFFENPINSCHERS OF THE MODERN ERA

Ch. Hilane’s Solar Eclipse was born May 9, 1991 and died September 11, 2004. Solar was bred and owned by Jerome Cushman and Frederick Nuernberg. Solar was one of three puppies in the litter. His rather unique color inspired his name. On his neck, shoulders and flanks he had a dark red undercoat with a black overlay of hard coat. Many times he has thrown this characteristic coat color. He was Winners Dog under judge Sari Brewster Tietjen at the national specialty in 1992.

His brother Ch. Hilane’s Seth Thomas, owned by Carolyn (Garrity) Hamilton, won the national specialty in 1993 under judge Lois Wolf White. His sister Ch. Hilane’s Au Naturel was the first all-natural Affenpinscher to earn an AKC championship.

At about the age of two-and-a-half, Solar showed signs of stiffness and the veterinarian reported he had been infected with Lyme’s disease, which left him with severe arthritis. He was a stoic little dog who enjoyed life with only minor accommodations.

Though he was not used a lot for breeding, he has produced some great dogs. His offspring include national specialty winners Ch. Hilane’s Harpagon, later owned by Shirley Howard and Jim and Kathy Herman, Ch. Yarrow’s Lucy in the Sky (Moraina), owned by Jackie Stacy and Ch. Yarrow’s Super Nova (Cosmos), owned by Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale.

“Moraina” and “Cosmos” hold the records for most Best in Show wins for their sex in the breed. Cosmos also was the top toy and number-five top-winning all-breed show dog for 2001. Ranked as the number-eight all-time top-winning toy dog, he was the first Affenpinscher to win the Toy Group at the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show. A brother of Cosmos is multiple group winner and top producer Ch. Yarrow’s Over The Moon. His sister is Ch. Kyleakin Maid At Yarrow, who has produced several top-winning champions. Ch. Yarrow’s Lucy in the Sky’s littermate is Ch. Yarrow’s Rocketman, who lives with Sharon Sapp in Georgia, and he too has sired some nice dogs.

One of Mighty Joe Young’s kids, Ch. Yarrow’s Thrill Monkey, owned by Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale and bred by Beth K. Sweigart and Letisha Wubbel.

Other of Solar’s sons who have done well in the show ring is Ch. Tamarin Trevor, owned by David and Pamela Peat. Trevor’s brother Ch. Tamarin Tanz, owned by Joseph Reinisch, also has been a fine show dog.

Another son, Ch. Hilane’s The Sun Also Rises, owned and exhibited by Rebecca Brandon and Babettta P. Veater in Alaska, has won several groups and a Best in Show. His littermate Ch. Hilane Spring’s Awakening has sired a number of fine champions including Ch. Hilane’s Just Look At Me, owned by Sandra Lex from Canada, and Ch. Hi-Tech Girlrilla Of My Dream, owned by Beth Sweigart and Letisha Wubbel. Two of Solar’s granddaughters, Ch. Hilane’s Betty Boop and Ch. Hilane’s Loose Cannon, also are group winners.

An English import bred by Rita Turner, Ch. Gerbraes Maid In Splendour, or “Doris,” is the dam of Cosmos and is related to most of today’s top Affens. Owners, Beth K. Sweigart and Letisha Wubbel.

Ch. Hilane’s Lonesome Cowboy, winning Best in Show with owner/handler Jerome Cushman.

Solar also sired some quality belge bitches, including Ch. Hilane’s Molley Sugden, who has produced three champions for her owner Mavis Weatherwax of California, and Ch. Hilane’s Present, owned by Jerome Cushman. Solar sired Ch. Hilane’s Marlane, the first group-placing Affenpinscher with natural ears and tail.

While visiting Crufts Dog Show in England Beth Sweigart and Peter Green spotted a young female Affenpinscher owned by Rita Turner. They purchased her and brought her back to show and add to their breeding program. She finished her championship fast and won some large breed competitions. She is the dam and granddam of many of today’s top-winning Affenpinschers. Her name is Ch. Gerbraes Maid In Splendour, whose call name is “Doris,” and she is owned by Beth Sweigart and Letisha Wubbel. Her littermate Ch. Gerbraes Maid in Heaven at Zipaty, owned by the late Pat Patchen, was a top show bitch in England.

Bred to Solar, Doris produced other important Affens in addition to Cosmos and Moraina. These include Ch. Yarrow’s Over The Moon and Ch. Kyleakin Maid At Yarrow. Doris also has more champions bred to other males. Ch. Yarrow’s Mighty Joe Young won the specialty in 2004. Two more fine champions who are winning Bests are Ch. Bukany Streakmeister Tamarin and Ch. Yarrow’s Action Jackson.

After Moraina earned her championship, Beth Sweigart gave her to Jackie and Terry Stacy, who have used her to start their Tamarin lines. Doris’s other daughter, Ch. Kyleakin Maid At Yarrow, was also given to the Stacys and Doris Tolone of Calkerry Affenpinschers. These two foundation bitches along with Ch. Periwinkle En- La Ms. Munster, bred by Elizabeth Muir-Chamberlain, were the source for the Affenpinschers at Tamarin and Calkerry. These bitches were bred to Hilane, Periwinkle, Doch’s and Ceterra males to produce some highly campaigned Affenpinschers. Doris Tolone’s Ch. Tamarin Talullah (out of Ch. Periwinkle Godzilla and Ch. Kyleakin Maid At Yarrow) won the national specialty in 2001. Ch. Ceterra’s Little Black Sambo, bred to Ch. Tamarin Tulip, produced Ch. Tamarin Travis (2002 and 2003 national specialty winner) and Ch. Tamarin Tip-Off (2005 national specialty winner).

Son of Godzilla, here’s top-winning Ch. Yarrow’s Mighty Joe Young, bred by Beth K. Sweigart, Letisha Wubbel and Doris Tolone and owned by Dr. and Mrs. William Truesdale.

The future for the Affenpinscher looks bright. More good champions are placing in and winning Groups across North America. Let’s hope that the breed does not become too popular and that the new breeders stay focused on producing healthy, happy and well-adjusted dogs who fulfill the function of the fun-loving family pet.