Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier. Final Verdict on Which is a Better Pet.

Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier

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Affenpinscher Versus Silky Terrier: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Affenpinscher and for the Silky Terrier. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Affenpinscher or the Silky Terrier

Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier: Overview

Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are similar in size. The Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are both tiny-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are Companion Dogs. This means both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Affenpinscher to the Silky Terrier based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Factor Affenpinscher Silky Terrier
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 3/5
Good For Novice Owners 4/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 4/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 4/5
Weight 7 to 9 pounds 8 to 10 pounds
Height 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $2220 $1960
Price Range $500 – $1962 $1400 – $2500
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 147 103
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 37

    *Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Affenpinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Silky Terrier. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for a Affenpinscher is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Silky Terrier is 80 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Affenpinscher is a better pet than the Silky Terrier. So, you should get the Affenpinscher!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier

    The Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are most similar:

  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are good for new dog owners.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are very playful.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier.

    Affenpinschers weigh 7 to 9 pounds when fully grown. Affenpinschers are 9 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Silky Terriers weigh 8 to 10 pounds when fully grown. Silky Terriers are 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Price of Affenpinscher versus Price of Silky Terrier

    The average price of the Affenpinscher puppy is $2220. The price of the Affenpinscher typically ranges from $500 – $1962. However, the price of a Affenpinscher can be as low as $150 and as high as $10000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 8 Affenpinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Silky Terrier puppy is $1960. The price of the Silky Terrier typically ranges from $1400 – $2500. However, the price of a Silky Terrier can be as low as $350 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 37 Silky Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Affenpinscher is more expensive than the Silky Terrier.

    Affenpinscher Silky Terrier
    Average Price $2220 $1960
    Price Range $500 to $1962 $1400 to $2500

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Affenpinscher and Silky Terrier. For different price points, the charts show how many Affenpinscher puppies or how many Silky Terrier puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Affenpinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers

    A breakdown of the prices of Silky Terriers

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Affenpinscher puppy or the Silky Terrier puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Affenpinscher versus Adopting the Silky Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Affenpinschers and many Silky Terriers are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Affenpinscher named Rio that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Affenpinschers like Rio on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Affenpinschers, Silky Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Mac – The Stunning Silky is a Male Silky Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Silky Terriers like Mac – The Stunning Silky that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Oakley is the name of another Affenpinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also Shimmy, an adorable Male Silky Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Affenpinschers and Silky Terriers are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Affenpinschers and Silky Terriers that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Affenpinscher versus the Intelligence of the Silky Terrier

    Affenpinscher Silky Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 37 out of 130 dog breeds 37 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Affenpinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Affenpinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Affenpinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Silky Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Silky Terrier belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Silky Terriers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are of the same intelligence.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Affenpinscher versus Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Silky Terrier is more popular with dog owners than the Affenpinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Silky Terrier is 103 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Affenpinscher is 147 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Affenpinscher

    Popularity of Affenpinscher

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Popularity of Silky Terrier

    Year Affenpinscher Popularity Rank Silky Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 143 92
    2014 144 101
    2015 136 102
    2016 149 100
    2017 147 106
    2018 148 112
    2019 151 109
    2020 163 108

    Health Problems of Affenpinscher versus Health Problems of Silky Terrier

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.

    Both the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Affenpinscher is prone to more genetic health problems than the Silky Terrier.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Affenpinscher than for the Silky Terrier.

    4 health tests are recommended for Affenpinscher while 2 tests are recommended for the Silky Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Affenpinschers and in Silky Terriers.

    Affenpinscher Health Problems

    Affenpinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Affenpinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Affenpinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Affenpinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Affenpinschers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Affenpinschers here.

    Silky Terrier Health Problems

    Silky Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Silky Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Silky Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Silky Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Silky Terriers for:

  • Eye Examination
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Silky Terriers here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier

    Affenpinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Silky Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    How Kid-friendly are Affenpinschers and Silky Terriers?

    Affenpinschers do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Silky Terriers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Do Affenpinschers shed more than Silky Terriers?

    Affenpinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Silky Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Affenpinscher or the Silky Terrier

    Affenpinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Silky Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Is the Affenpinscher Easier to Train than the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers are not easy to train.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to train.

    Do Affenpinschers Bark and Howl? What about Silky Terriers?

    Affenpinschers are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Silky Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Wanderlust Potential: Affenpinscher vs. Silky Terrier

    Affenpinschers do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Silky Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Silky Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Affenpinschers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Silky Terriers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Can Affenpinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Silky Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Affenpinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Silky Terriers can tolerate hot weather.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Affenpinscher or the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers are moderately easy to groom.

    Silky Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Affenpinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Silky Terriers have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Affenpinscher or the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers are very good for new dog owners.

    Silky Terriers are OK for new dog owners.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Affenpinscher or the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers get along very well with other dogs.

    Silky Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Is the Affenpinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Silky Terrier?

    Affenpinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Silky Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Are Affenpinschers good family dogs? What about Silky Terriers?

    Affenpinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Silky Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Affenpinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Silky Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Silky Terrier:

  • American Hairless Terrier (81 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Affenpinscher vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Australian Terrier (79 percent match with Silky Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Affenpinscher vs Australian Terrier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Silky Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Affenpinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Affenpinscher:

  • Dandie Dinmont Terrier (75 percent match with Affenpinscher). Here is our comparison of the Silky Terrier vs Dandie Dinmont Terrier.
  • Peek A Poo (75 percent match with Affenpinscher). Here is our comparison of the Silky Terrier vs Peek A Poo.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Affenpinscher and how the Silky Terrier compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Affenpinscher and of the Silky Terrier to other breeds:

    Affenpinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Affenpinscher versus Chorkie     Affenpinscher versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Affenpinscher versus Xoloitzcuintli     Affenpinscher versus Basset Hound     Affenpinscher versus Great Dane     Affenpinscher versus Norwich Terrier     Affenpinscher versus American Foxhound     Affenpinscher versus Biewer Terrier     Affenpinscher versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Affenpinscher versus Bernedoodle     

    Silky Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Silky Terrier versus Hovawart     Silky Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Silky Terrier versus American Foxhound     Silky Terrier versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Silky Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Silky Terrier versus Chinook     Silky Terrier versus Pointer     Silky Terrier versus Akita     Silky Terrier versus Alaskan Malamute     

    Conclusion: Affenpinscher versus Silky Terrier. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Affenpinscher and the Silky Terrier better suits you and your family.