* First brush the coat with a slicker rush to remove dead hair. * Comb thoroughly. * You can us a finger and thumb to pluck out dead and loose hair. The back half of the body should be smoothed out. * Shoulders should have longer hair to form the mane. The longer hair should blend in to the smoother rump. * Brush frequently using your nylon or bristle cushion brush to keep your Affenpinscher looking perfect all the time. * Try bathing your Affenpinscher in a natural shampoo and be sure to rinse thoroughly. * Use a general coat-care conditioner for a glossy shine. * Towel-dry and blow dry or cage dry. * Use small, straight scissors or thinning scissors to trim the hair outside the ear leathers, from the base of the ear to the tip. * The face is left natural. * Hair on the ears should be smooth and trimmed close to the edges. * Keep your Affenpinscher's feet looking neat. If the feet get too hair, they can look to big and flat. Neatly trim the excess hair from around the outside of the foot.
As for the tail of an Affenpinscher, if left natural, it resembles a Christmas tree. For the show ring, the tail should resemble a cigar. To achieve the cigar look:
* Hold the tail up and comb the hair backwards before shaping. * The tip should be slightly rounded and all the straggly ends cut off the tail hair with the scissors pointing downward.
The monkey face of the Affenpinscher is one of its most endearing characteristics. It can be enhanced by a wreath-like of loose, shaggy hair standing away from the skull and framing the eyes, nose and chin. If you prefer a slightly less shaggy look you can comb the hair forward all around the head from behind the ears, and then trim into a circle before brushing back.
