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Why affenpinscher aficionados knew Banana Joe would steal the show Why affenpinscher aficionados knew Banana Joe would steal the show
(7 months later)
The buzz surrounding the affenpinscher dog breed on Wednesday morning, after the victory on Tuesday night of a species exemplar in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, is embarrassing for connoisseurs. Such individuals cannot quite take pride in knowing all along what the world has suddenly discovered – the basic appeal of the Affie. For them it is like knowing that plants grow in dirt and the ocean tastes salty.The buzz surrounding the affenpinscher dog breed on Wednesday morning, after the victory on Tuesday night of a species exemplar in the Westminster Kennel Club dog show, is embarrassing for connoisseurs. Such individuals cannot quite take pride in knowing all along what the world has suddenly discovered – the basic appeal of the Affie. For them it is like knowing that plants grow in dirt and the ocean tastes salty.
The Westminster victor is called Banana Joe, and if you doubt his casual superiority in competition over his peers, you should take a moment to review the video of his triumph in the best-in-breed contest. Where his co-specimens merely trot, he prances, throwing his paws forward like he's running on water; where the other dogs are tempted by their innate alertness to distraction, he retains an easy focus.The Westminster victor is called Banana Joe, and if you doubt his casual superiority in competition over his peers, you should take a moment to review the video of his triumph in the best-in-breed contest. Where his co-specimens merely trot, he prances, throwing his paws forward like he's running on water; where the other dogs are tempted by their innate alertness to distraction, he retains an easy focus.
Then watch his delighted dance upon winning best in show, and his spring into the winner's circle. The dog's all joy. Of course he is. His German breed name means "monkey". He's called "banana". It's like calling a horse "carrot". Automatic happy.Then watch his delighted dance upon winning best in show, and his spring into the winner's circle. The dog's all joy. Of course he is. His German breed name means "monkey". He's called "banana". It's like calling a horse "carrot". Automatic happy.
What affenpinscher aficionados know is that for centuries the breed has leveraged its immense charm to insinuate itself in the cultural life of humans, its host species. For example. If you've visited the Phillips Collection in Washington you have found yourself marveling at Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881).What affenpinscher aficionados know is that for centuries the breed has leveraged its immense charm to insinuate itself in the cultural life of humans, its host species. For example. If you've visited the Phillips Collection in Washington you have found yourself marveling at Pierre-Auguste Renoir's Luncheon of the Boating Party (1881).
What explains the air of idle pleasure in the scene? Is it the four bottles of wine on the table? The suspiciously tapered cigarette in the boatman's hand? Or is it the dog, also on the table? An affenpinscher, according to the Affenpinscher Alliance.What explains the air of idle pleasure in the scene? Is it the four bottles of wine on the table? The suspiciously tapered cigarette in the boatman's hand? Or is it the dog, also on the table? An affenpinscher, according to the Affenpinscher Alliance.
A much earlier example could be a minor canvas by the Dutch painter Gabriel Metsu, A Soldier Receiving a Young Woman (1661). This Renaissance pup does not appear so cheerful as the little guy who got to go on the boating party; in fact he appears wet. But he bears the shape of an Affie, and he is larger than the modern species, as affenpinschers were when they first emerged as a breed, in Germany at the start of the 17th century.A much earlier example could be a minor canvas by the Dutch painter Gabriel Metsu, A Soldier Receiving a Young Woman (1661). This Renaissance pup does not appear so cheerful as the little guy who got to go on the boating party; in fact he appears wet. But he bears the shape of an Affie, and he is larger than the modern species, as affenpinschers were when they first emerged as a breed, in Germany at the start of the 17th century.
So contagious is the exuberance of the breed – known to the French as diablotin moustachu, "moustached little devil" – that it played a starring role in cabaret shows in Europe between the wars, the alliance says. For affenpinschers exhibit an unusual flair for performative trickery, as anyone who's ever spent serious time with one knows. Check out Pippa:So contagious is the exuberance of the breed – known to the French as diablotin moustachu, "moustached little devil" – that it played a starring role in cabaret shows in Europe between the wars, the alliance says. For affenpinschers exhibit an unusual flair for performative trickery, as anyone who's ever spent serious time with one knows. Check out Pippa:
"I've never had my hands on a better affenpinscher. Ever," the Westminster judge, Michael Dougherty, said of Banana Joe in a post-show interview with the New York Times. If you know affenpinschers, you know that's saying something."I've never had my hands on a better affenpinscher. Ever," the Westminster judge, Michael Dougherty, said of Banana Joe in a post-show interview with the New York Times. If you know affenpinschers, you know that's saying something.
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