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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

How do you tell if a mini aussie has separation anxiety?

Sometimes they get extremely clingy to you and then when you leave they get upset and do the sad eyes. Sometimes dogs with separation anxiety will bark and cry endlessly, make messes, or tear things apart in the house if it is extreme. You can train them out of the destructive habits but the anxiety never really goes away and they will always prefer to go where you are going even if they have to stay in the car.

I am a runner and am looking at adopting a Mini Aussie puppy. I run a 5 mile run 3 days a week and a 6-12 mile run once a week...how much of that if any can he run with me? I only run in the evening because I cant handle the heat as well as he couldnt either I am sure. I also assume IF he can run, he would need to work up to the distance, how would I do that also? what mileage/day schedule I mean...still assuming it is ok that he run a 5 mile run in a day. Also, I am not a fast runner, I range from 8.45/mile to 10.45/mile thru-out one run.

I ran a half marathon with my aussie. I have her trained off leash so it was a lot easier-which isn't hard to do for aussies-I am not sure how I would train it to run that much, I trained with mine so it worked out well. I am sure they can run a lot more than that with the proper schedule. Since my dog is trained off leash she was a lot better of a runner than I when I first started, but she could run back and forth a head of me to behind me so it didn't matter if I was a fast runner or not. That is why I got my aussie to motivate me to run.

That would be great for an min aussie my aussie is very out going and so are her puppys. I think an aussie would be perfect

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.

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?

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.)

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. <br />
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.
