There is not a size difference between males and females of this breed. Regardless, the weight between dogs can vary dramatically in this breed. One dog might weigh only 20 pounds, or even one that weighs 60 pounds.
To know where your dog will be, look at his paws to see how much growing he has to do. If you know how big his parents were that is a good clue as well, though you could also have a DNA test done. Traditionally, when it came to spaying or neutering your dog, you would do it around the age of 6 months at the earliest.
This was because 6 months is the time when it is safer to do anaesthesia. While spaying or neutering early will not affect the final size of your dog, it has been shown to be dangerous to the joint health of large breed dogs.
Since a Mini Australian Shepherd, this does not apply to them. Talk to your vet about the best time to have your dog spayed or neutered. Just looking at their name, you should know already that the Mini Australian Shepherd is not a tall dog. When you look at the growth chart for a Mini Australian Shepherd, you will see that the average height for a male is between 14 and 18 inches, while a female is between 13 and 17 inches.
To measure a Mini Australian Shepherd, you will want to measure the dog while he is standing on all four legs. Then, you measure from the highest spot on his back to the ground. There is still a lot of variety in this breed, so your dog might be smaller or taller than the average dog. As we mentioned above, the Mini Australian Shepherd can be between 13 and 18 inches in height and weigh anywhere from 20 to 60 pounds.
Meanwhile, the Australian Shepherd can weigh anywhere from 30 to 65 pounds and stand between 18 and 23 inches in height. You will note that there is not a huge size difference between the two breeds, but it is still a difference nonetheless.
Some Mini Australian Shepherds are so large that they look identical to the standard Australian Shepherds. One of the biggest factors that affect the size of your Mini Australian Shepherd is genetics and gender. Since the breed has a lot of variety, genetics are a huge factor in determining how big of a Mini Australian Shepherd you will have. Also, in general, female dogs are smaller than males, though there is not a huge difference in size with Mini Australian Shepherds. If your dog is being overfed, it will also affect his joints by putting too much pressure on the developing joint plates, potentially resulting in your dog having arthritis when he is older.
When a Mini Australian Shepherd becomes overweight due to a lack of physical activity, he is going to have a hard time losing the weight, potentially putting pressure on those developing growth plates. Dogs that do continue growing usually only gain another pound or two after they reach nine months. Therefore, you can pretty much assume your dog has reached somewhere close to their adult size at nine months. While they may be done growing, these dogs will still be developing mentally.
They may continue to act like a puppy for some time after they reach their full weight, though some may be ending their puppy stage at this point. Many Mini Aussies only calm down once they are years old. Usually, you can expect these dogs to grow at a decently fast rate.
They will almost be their full size at as young as six months. However, because they are smaller dogs in general, they do not grow nearly as fast as the larger dogs out there.
Typically, they stop looking and acting like puppies at around six months. However, some may continue their mental and physical growth far beyond this. Certain dogs may grow faster than others, as their genetic pool is quite large.
Part of this breed is its general unpredictability since it is not well-established. What method the breeder uses will determine the speed that the dog grows at. For instance, some people refer to the Miniature American Shepherd as a mini Aussie, while other breeds may interbreed Australian Shepherds with smaller dogs to make a miniature version.
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A Miniature American Shepherd may grow to be 13 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder. They weigh somewhere between 20 and 40 pounds. Males are generally larger than females. So this breed is not super tiny, about 20—35 pounds smaller than a regular Australian Shepherd. The size of more modern mini Australian Shepherds is highly variable, depending on how they were created. Like their full-sized counterparts, the mini Australian Shepherd temperament is likely to be defined by a strong work ethic and a love of herding livestock.
In general the mini Australian Shepherd is likely to be easily trained, loyal to its owners, and aims to please. Even though they are smaller than the standard breed, a teacup Australian Shepherd can harm someone if they are aggressive. Socialization will reduce this risk. On top of this, the breed is very active and does not do well if not allowed to burn off energy outdoors. Mini Aussies are appealing to people who love the full size Australian Shepherd, but have less room at home for a dog.
Smaller dogs also cost less to feed, and appeal to our instinct to look after things which are small and cute. A standard Australian Shepherd is a very active dog.
The smaller version will also need plenty of exercise, but not quite as much as the standard breed. So generally, miniaturized dogs have cheaper general care and lower needs in terms of space and exercise. One drawback of miniaturization of a breed is that it increases the potential occurrence of some other health problems. In extreme cases, this leads to more dogs being given up for adoption and losing their homes when families can no longer afford them.
Miniature American Shepherds and other mini Aussies alike are not only susceptible to common canine health problems. They are also prone to inherited health problems specific to the Australian Shepherd breed as a whole.
We cover these in more detail in our main article on Australian Shepherds. But in a nutshell, mini Aussies are prone to:. In mini Australian Shepherds, the following conditions may be observed as a result of miniaturization or dwarfing:. Some miniaturized or dwarfed dog breeds are predisposed to early degeneration of the discs that make up the spine and absorb shock.
As the dog ages, the discs begin to fail. As a result, their neck and spine become less able to absorb shock from daily activity. Inbreeding is still a common practice in some areas to achieve miniature specimens of a larger breed.
Everyone in the house needs to know exactly how to look after the dog. With their long and shaggy double-coats, mini Australian Shepherd shedding is nothing to sneeze at.
Aussies come with a lot of hair. Weekly brushing during non-peak shedding will keep their coat from tangling or matting. As primarily working dogs, they need that weatherproof coat to keep them comfortable in all sorts of conditions. If you will be buying a mini Aussie puppy from a breeder, make sure that their puppies meet registration guidelines.
Additionally, only look at puppies that are housed in a clean environment. Make sure they are not sick, and are well-cared for. Breeders who house their stock in poor conditions should be avoided. Be wary of breeders who refuse to show you all of their stock. They may be hiding something.
Bear in mind that mini dogs of all types are very popular at the moment, and this trend is being exploited by poor quality breeders and puppy mills. Use our top tips for recognising puppy farms to avoid supporting this cruel industry.
Rescuing a teacup Australian Shepherd can be a great option. Especially as a lot of these small dogs are given up if their health needs become too expensive. You might struggle to find a rescue center that is specifically dedicated to the miniature Australian Shepherd. It is more commonly known as the Mini American Shepherd. These highly adaptable dogs can do just about anything that the Australian Shepherd can, but their small size makes them easier to fit into many different lifestyles.
This hardworking and loving companion is great for those who are not quite ready to let a larger dog into their home.
They provide years of unconditional loyalty to any family willing to keep up with their high energy levels. Is your family ready to take in one of these lovable farm dogs? Read our guide below on care, feeding, and much more…. Despite their name they do not come from Australia — they actually come from the United States.
This pooch began as a line of Australian Shepherds bred for their smaller size , but eventually, they became their own distinct breed they are not toy-sized dogs though. Miniature Australian Shepherds are classified as herding dogs just like their taller counterparts.
These dogs were bred to tend livestock and help with work around the farm. Mini ones specifically have a history as rodeo dogs. Mini Aussies have a very big brain behind that adorable little face. These natural learners can be trained to perform all sorts of tasks, and they are up for learning any game that keeps their minds engaged. Their helpful personality comes from their history as herders.
Working is like a game to them, and they want to help their owners out as much as they possibly can. Mini Aussies have a long, wavy double coat that comes in a variety of colors. They can be tri-colored, bi-colored, or just one color with white accents. They have broad chests and shoulders set upon muscular bodies, and their heads should be proportional to the size of their body. Their attentive eyes can be brown, blue, or even heterochromia. Their base color is dark, with lighter colored patches or spots.
Their chests and undersides are always bright white. These dogs typically stand between 14 and 18 inches high. Females are only an inch or two shorter than males. Both genders have a weight range of pounds, with females weighing slightly less than males. According to the official breed standard , a Miniature Australian full grown should be over 12 but under 20 inches in height.
They should not be small enough to be mistaken for a toy breed. Merles are identified by a mottled appearance across a black or red coat, causing the base to appear lighter. In a merle pattern a black base color is faded to bluish grey, they are known as a blue merle Miniature Australian. The outer coat can be straight or appear in gorgeous waves. These eager little workaholics are only truly happy when they have something to do.
As their owner, it will be your main responsibility to keep them busy. A bored Mini Aussie will be pushy and irritable. They may protest by destroying your furniture or making a mess of your house. When kept happy and stimulated you will have an affectionate and loyal friend with a strong desire to keep your family safe.
They are full of boundless energy and need to let it all out in daily work and play.
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