About Toy Aussies

How did Mini/toy Aussies come to be?

The Australian Shepherd breed was actually developed in America.  It's origins are foggy. Many believe there is a there is Australian influence and others believe there to be Spanish herding lines.  Either way, the Aussie that we have today is American.  Miniature and Toy Australian Shepherds are a result of the selective breeding of Standard Australian Shepherds.  A toy or miniature should be the same confirmation as a standard, only a different size.  I once heard a woman say that there was no such thing as toy or miniature Aussies.  She said that it was just people using small standards as breeding stock to get smaller and smaller dogs.   “Bad practice” she called it.    Hmmm... unless you’re raising Wolves, hasn’t every breed in the world come about the very same way?  By selective breeding?   As long as you’re breeding healthy dogs, not in-breeding or line-breeding it’s safe practice. 

Am I ready for a dog?

How much time are you going to be able to spend with this new family member?  Is he/she going to be alone all day?  Are you willing to get doggy daycare?  Where is he/she going to be when you’re not around?  Do you have a fenced yard?  DO NOT LEAVE A DOG TIED UP IN YOUR YARD!!  Tying for 10 or 15 minutes is one thing, but all day?  That’s just cruel.  You will be committing to your new pooch for its lifetime, not just a year or two.  Don’t count on your kids to tend to a pet, the novelty soon wears off.  The SPCA and rescue organizations are full of animals that were placed in the wrong home.  I’ll never forget the beautiful, young Rottweiller that  I saw at the SPCA.  The reason for giving him up was “Got too big” ……………Just what did you expect from a rottweiller?

Is an Aussie right for me?

If you were to ask me, a toy or miniature Aussie is the best dog in the world…….but then you did ask ME.  What may be perfect for me, may be horrid for you.  Be honest with yourself.  Don’t convince yourself that an Aussie is right for you just because they’re so darn cute.  Investigate.  Read books, find info on-line, talk to a few breeders.  You’re going to find conflicting information, sift through it and make an informed decision.  When you decide on a breed that’s right for you, be selective in where you purchase your pup.  DON’T BUY FROM A PET STORE!!!  Buy from someone who obviously loves their dogs, has both parents available for viewing, knows and shares the lineage, takes measures to ensure that the breeding stock is healthy and free of any genetic defects and doesn’t mind a lot of questions. 

Don’t let the small stature fool you.  Be it a toy, miniature, or standard Aussie it’s still a working dog.  They need a job.   I’m blessed in that I am able to take my dogs to work with me and I live on a farm and they are constantly around people or other animals.

Without proper socialization Aussies can become scared and highly suspicious of strangers.

They need plenty of room to run as well.  Aussies have a lot of energy and need somewhere to channel it.  Obedience classes and agility work is a great outlet.  (I recommend clicker training.) Aussies are highly intelligent they are always anticipating your next move.  They are very sensitive to body language.  You are sending out signals with your body language that you’re not even aware of.  But your Aussie is.  It often feels like they are reading your mind.

As much as they love to run, they love to cuddle up with you and snooze.  When they are working they can be so intense and on your every move, and when it’s time to stop they can shut it off and flake out.  If you have a smaller yard it’s imperative that your dog gets out for regular runs, walks or a play at the park.  “Bad dogs” are often a result of pent up energy.  Often when you get rid of the energy, the bad behavior disappears. 

Happy puppy shopping!!