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Miniature Australian Shepherd
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General Description
(Mini Australian Shepherd) (Toy Australian Shepherd) (Mini Aussie) (Tea Cup Australian Shepherd) The Miniature Australian Shepherd comes in blue or red merle, red or black tri-color, each with white or tan markings. They also come in Bi-color lacking the third marking. Regardless of the rest of the coat, the hair around the eyes and ears should not be white in show dogs. The coat may be straight or wavy, but is of medium length. The hair on the head, front of the forelegs and on the outside of the ears is shorter than the rest of the coat, there should be a mane around the neck, and the back of the legs are feathered. Eye color varies - green, brown, or light blue eyes, as well as one eye green and brown, blue and brown, or green and blue.Know something we don't? Add it here
Character
This breed is easy-going, loyal and affectionate. They are naturally protective and excellent guardians, but are also great with children. They love to play, and indeed need a great deal of exercise every day. They are highly intelligent, and easy to train, but if they are not kept occupied they may become destructive. They become very attached to their owners and can suffer separation anxiety if left alone for even a few minutes. They must be well-socialized as puppies, as they are suspicious of strangers. They have a strong herding instinct, and have a tendency to nip people's ankles in an attempt to herd them. They are usually not dog-aggressive, and they don't bark very much.
Size
14-18 inches
Weight
20 - 35 pounds
General Health
Those dogs that are have a merle or merle-cross configuration have a tendency to blindness or deafness. However, most merled North American Miniature Australian Shepherds are "heterozygous" merles (one parent is merle while the other is solid) and these are not at risk. Hip and eye problems can occur, so ensure that both sire and dam of puppies have been tested and are certified clear prior to purchasing a puppy.
History
The miniature Australian Shepherd was developed beginning in 1968, by selectively breeding small Australian Shepherds. This breed was not cross-bred with toy dogs, and therefore the instinct, ability and character of the breed is retained, only the size is shrinking.
Maintenance
The coat of this breed needs little attention. Brush occasionally with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
Ideal Environment
This breed will do fine in an apartment, as long as they are exercised sufficiently. They will become destructive if they do not get enough exercise, or if they are allowed to become bored. A small yard will be fine, a large yard will be better. This breed does well in cold climates.*
The Miniature Aussie requires just as much work to maintain as it's larger counterpart, the Australian Shepherd. They require just as much exercise and are equally intelligent. This is a high energy breed, so plenty of exercise is a must.
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Ask a QuestionMiniature Australian Shepherd Q&A
I was wondering if someone could tell me the average weight of a 12 week old Mini Australian Shepherd please? Mine has only gained 1 pound in the last month, and is not quite 5 lbs yet. He does appear happy and healthy and definitely has grown taller, but I feel like he is too thin.
Thank you!!!!!!
The weight will depend upon a lot of factors. Is this puppy from small "Toy" or "Mini" bloodlines? If the parents were quite small (less than 12 pounds), then this sizing may be "normal" for this particular puppy. If they were much larger, and there are no "Toy" lines, then there could be a health problem, or you may not be feeding enough.
An example of larger "Miniature Australian Shepherds": We have raised this lovely breed for many years - We prefer a medium-sized dog, so breed for adults ranging between 30 - 40 pounds; as such, our puppies typically weigh at least 12 - 15 pounds at 12 weeks of age.
Hope this helps...
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My family is thinking of getting a mini aussie but how does a mini aussie puppy act around other animals? I have two cats and two smalll dogs in the house already and I want to make sure our new puppy will get along with them. The cats get along with all dogs and I have a long-haired dachshund and a shih tzu. Will a mini aussie be a good choice?
We have a male that is now 1 1/2 yr. old. We have 2 other dogs and a guinea pig. Bear our mini aussie loves all of them. He has actually jumped in the guimea pig's cage to be near him before. The reason he is this way is we socialized him from the time he was 7 weeks old. He was around a variety of animals, people, kids, sounds etc. He is the best dog we have ever had!
Most mini aussies get along great with other animals, if they were raised with other animals. My mini's and toys love their cats (the ones they grew up with) and other dogs. They may try to herd them, however, which can be comical.
Can someone better explain what is meant by "sufficient exercise"? The meaning of that is very relative and I don't know how it applies to the miniature australian shepherd. A long run every day? A daily 30 minute walk? Just let loose in the yard each day?
I have mini aussies, and they are not the way the other responder described. They love to run out in the morning, play with each other, run around for about 15 minutes, then want to come back inside.
They lay on the couch, chew on chewies, and hang out. They do not act nervous or hyper. I love this breed, as they will match your lifestyle. Some love the frisbee lifestyle, others make great couch potatotes. As long as they get to hand out with their humans at some time, they are most happy.
Aussie Shepherds as a rule need LOTS of exercise, either in the yard or long walks. I have a Aussie shepherd mix and she can run and play outside all day long and still have her hyper bouncy energy at the end of the day, and after a good night's sleeping like a log, she will do it again the next day. If she is stuck inside all day with not even a walk (preferably more than just a walk) she will get jittery and do the running she needs in the house and pester for play (so running her up and down stairs chasing a ball or something if you have to be inside can sometimes take the edge off.)
When will my miniature australian shepherd have her first heat? I want to spay prior to this event.
Anywhere from 9 months to a year old.
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