They're smaller than full-size Australian shepherds — 14 to 18 inches tall and roughly 20 to 40 pounds, versus more than 18 inches and 40 to 60-plus pounds — and have wide variation in the color of their eyes, which can be mismatched or marbled in shades of bright blue, brown, and hazel; and mottled coats, which can be ...
All-red Mini Aussies are the rarest of them all. Their coats have vibrant red fur all over, with red snouts, and red paws.
Miniature Australian Shepherds are sometimes also called Miniature American Shepherds since they were bred in the United States, but the official breed name is Australian because they descend from Australian herding dogs imported to America.
A Toy Australian Shepherd is the smallest Australian Shepherd size. They are the same size as a Teacup Australian Shepherd. Like the Teacup Australian Shepherd, the “toy” size of Australian Shepherd is not officially recognised by kennel clubs.
Height: Ideally, males should be 14 to 18 inches tall at the withers; females, 14 to 17 inches. Weight: Approximately 20 to 40 pounds.
Day-to-day, you will need to make sure you are not away from your home too long, so your Mini Aussie won't get lonely or have an accident in the house. Long term, these dogs can live around 13 years.
North American breeders developed Miniature American Shepherds from a group of small Australian Shepherds. Their intention was to create a more compact version of the dog without sacrificing its dependable character and keen instincts.
Appearance. The average Toy Aussie is around 10-14 inches tall and weighs between 12-17 lbs depending on the gender of the dog. They are athletically built with beautiful collie-like faces and triangular ears. They also have Collie-like coats with neck roughs and feathery back ends, legs, and tails.
Miniature Australian Shepherds are easygoing, perpetual puppies that love to play. Courageous, loyal and affectionate, they are excellent children's companions that are great with active children. A devoted friend and guardian.
The bottom line
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
The mini Aussie has had no such pop culture flashpoint in recent history. Instead, its rise can be traced to its winning personality and looks, and the politics of dog breeding. We begin with the only slightly confusing matter of this dog breed's name, because it's an important factor in its ascent.
Australian Shepherd dogs are one of only a few breeds that can boast the rare feature of a naturally bobbed tail. While not every Australian Shepherd dog is naturally tailless, about one in five Aussies are born without a tail.
At 2-3 years of age, Mini Aussies are considered mentally developed and will be better at regulating their energy levels. In other words, they will start to calm down! That said, Aussies are naturally active dogs and will remain so into old age.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
They are not overly stubborn or spiteful, but can become that way if you don't give them enough attention or if they get bored. There is no such thing as too much activity or training with an Aussie; they can handle more than you are able to throw at them.
No, mini Australian shepherds don't bark a lot. Mini Australian shepherds are primarily herding and guarding dogs, so they bark when they are alarmed or when they are attempting to herd something. This barking is not usually drawn out or yappy like smaller dogs.
They are well known for their abundant energy, so prospective owners may be wondering: Are Mini Aussies really that hyperactive? Yes – but don't let that scare you away! A hyperactive dog is not necessarily a bad thing, as long as you can meet their needs.
Aussies are best suited for families with an active lifestyle and a large fenced yard. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and have an average life span of 12-13 years.
Aussies are cotton ball fluffy when they're tiny and then they loose all that fluff and have this thin, soft, wispy chicken feather coat for a while during their adolescent phase. As they get closer to being 1 year old they finally get a long, slightly more dense and coarse adult coat (see pics below).
The Miniature American Shepherd resembles a small Australian Shepherd. True herders in spite of their compact size, Minis are bright, self-motivated workers and endearingly loyal and lively companion dogs who have an affinity for horses.
The breed was formed by a split of the Australian Shepherd breed in AKC, and the incorporation of dogs previously known as Miniature Australian Shepherds and also known as North American Shepherds.
Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes. Some Aussies even display more than one color within the same eye.
While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
Because of the breed's extreme intelligence, visual sensitivity, and watchdog traits, Aussie puppies should be socialized in as many different environments and situations as possible.