Mini And Toy Australian Shepherds

In general, Mini Aussies are healthy dogs with a life expectancy of over twelve years.  Grooming is minimal, but brief regular brushing, to keep the coat clean and free of mattes, and nail trimming is required.  Mini Aussies should be fed a high quality diet to maintain good condition.  Vary the amount of food according to the amount of exercise a particular dog receives.

For newcomers to the breed, the Mini Aussie's most striking feature may be the breeds typical coat colors.  In addition to solid red or solid black coat, aussies may also be blue or red mearles.  Each of these coat types can be with or without copper and/or white trim.

So, who should own a Mini Aussie?  If you admire the Australian Shepherd but have reservations about keeping a dog which will probably mature between 40 and 70 pounds, the Mini Aussie may the dog for you.  Like the Aussie, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, versatile, highly trainable and energetic dog.  He makes an outstanding companion and can excel at agility, obedience and herding events.  Like the Aussie, the Mini Aussie's eagerness to learn makes him a joy to train.  With the preferred height of under 18 inches and generally ranging from 20 to 35 pounds, the Mini Aussie is more "portable" than larger dogs.  There small size helps them adapt to indoor life also.  The Mini Aussie does not need acres of land on which to run but they do need daily exercise and lots of social interaction.  When raised with children, they are faithful and dependable around the entire family.

TEMPERMENT

A well socialized, well bred Mini Aussie is highly intelligent, biddable and people oriented.  The Mini Aussies' high trainability level makes them ideally suited to various competitions and for companionship.   But pet owners should furnish their dog with an outlet for his mental energy.  Without exercise, dont be surprised if your Mini Aussie provides his own job!  Like shredding your sofa cushions.  Providing basic obedience training and daily exercise will keep most mini Aussies happy and healthy.

Mini Aussies are pack oriented.  This means that if you dont want a dog which will insist on following you to the bathroom, you should consider a different breed.  Mini Aussie need to be a member of the family.  Some are friendly with strangers, but Australian Shepherds tend to be reserved towards new acquaintances.  Although this is a normal breed characteristic, owners should encourage these dogs to meet other people and animals.  As with all dogs, poorly socialized Mini Aussies may become aggressive.

ENERGY LEVEL

Although Miniature Australian Shepherds are sometimes said to be calmer than Australians Shepherds, Mini Aussies are NOT couch potatoes.  This small to medium sized dog retains the herding instinct and drive of its forebears and may herd children, other pets and traffic on the local freeway without appropriate training and precautions like fenced yards.  The intelligence of the Mini Aussie combined with boredom due to the lack of work or exercise, is a potentially lethal combination.

If you are looking for a new house dog, and are considering a Mini Aussie, please keep in mind that the smaller versions of the standards are still working dogs and need to have a job to do.  So many times people buy them for apartment pets and do not tend to the dogs natural needs.  Some of these dogs will end up in shelters or rescue groups.  Please consider how the dog will fit into your way of life, and if the Mini Aussie is the dog for you. 

hits since March 16th 2005