In homes where hamsters, ferrets and gerbils already reside, an Affenpinscher may not be the best fit of dog. Though not a terrier, the Affenpinscher works like one.

That said, unlike some terriers, this is a peace loving breed intent on solving problems, and historically, the problem at hand was rodents. Rats, mice (hamsters and gerbils….),  anything small, skittery, and fitting the description of rodent was fair game when it was in a garden, a kitchen, a granary, stables, or a business. To that end, the Affenpinscher was developed to have a moderate forequarter and hindquarter angulation which enabled the dog to twist, turn, and pounce rather than pursue its prey over distances because that was how one caught a mouse.

Eventually, the Affenpinscher worked his way into the house beyond the kitchen doors, and not because he was charming, but because keeping the mouse and rat population was especially attractive to women who wore long dresses and skirts, which, given the time, was everyone.

Think about it if you dare.

A mouse or rat scurried across the floor,  ran under the nearest shelter which often was the hem of a long skirt – and at that point became trapped in the fabric especially if the person wearing the dress also had on layers of petticoats. It almost doesn’t bear thinking about, but what options did a mouse or rat have under the circumstances but to seek escape, and that was often someone’s leg?

It couldn’t have been a good feeling, especially for women repulsed or horrified by small furry things with tiny feet. As sanitation and vermin control improved over time, Affenpinschers became dual-purpose dogs: Ratters by day, and devoted bed-warming buddies for the lady of the house by night.

*Musophobia is a fear of rats and mice

Image: Affenpinscher by Olde Time Mercantile is available for purchase here