Interesting Things to Know About Australian Shepherds Mini

Last Updated on April 21, 2022

The Miniature Australian Shepherd has become extremely popular among people who are looking for an active and intelligent dog ready to become a great companion.

The Australian Shepherds Mini have much in common with the Aussies we know, but they are recognised as a separate breed. Let’s dig deeper to find out what makes this dog so special.

The history of the Australian Shepherds Mini

The history of this fabulous dog began in the 1960’s when several breeders made a decision to produce a smaller version of the Aussie preserving its best qualities. Some people still believe that the Aussie and the Australian Shepherds Mini are just different varieties of the same breed. However, they are considered to be distinct breeds.

The Australian Shepherds Mini has gained huge popularity among the dog owners who need a loving and hard-working companion, but are not ready to bring a large dog home. In this case, the Australian Shepherds Mini would be ideal pets.

The appearance of the Australian Shepherds Mini

If you have ever seen the Miniature Australian Shepherd, you will definitely agree that it resembles the Aussie very much. No doubt, size is the major difference between the two dogs. Some people ask whether these Mini Shepherd’s look anything like pug puppies but they don’t seem to share anything in resemblance to their size or appearance.

The Miniature Australian Shepherds are small dogs with strong body structure. The males usually stand between 14-18 inches (36-46 cm) and females – 13-17 inches (33-43 cm). The dogs of this breed can weigh between 20-40 pounds (9-18 kg) and live about 12-13 years.

The Australian Shepherds Mini have a beautiful coat that can be straight or slightly wavy. The coat colour is blue or red merle. The dogs may also be black or red tricolour with tan or white patches.

Personality and temperament of the Australian Shepherds Mini

If you are planning to become the owner of the Miniature Australian Shepherd, keep in mind that this dog can live a happy life only if it has something to do. So, it will be your responsibility to keep the dog busy all the time. Otherwise, your pet will become irritable and turn to destructive behaviour making a complete mess of your house.

But if you treat your dog right, you will see how wonderful it can be. The Miniature Australian Shepherds are usually

• Intelligent
• High energy
• Playful
• Protective
• Loyal
• Easy to train

These dogs are devoted friends. They always want to please their owners. The Australian Shepherds Mini depend on humans and can’t stay alone for too long. If you choose to buy this brilliant dog, get ready to spend much time with it. Early socialisation is crucial for these dogs as well.

Sometimes people forget that these small dogs have the same needs as their larger cousins. Due to the fact that the Miniature Australian Shepherds have a lot of physical and mental energy, they require exercise and mental stimulation on a regular basis. Owners of this breed should never forget about this fact or it will be really hard to avoid problematic behaviour. So, you should do your best to provide plenty of exercise to keep your dog constantly busy and motivated.

Training the Australian Shepherds Mini

Just like their larger cousins, the Miniature Australian Shepherds are easy to train. Due to their high intelligence and activity, these dogs learn new tricks very quickly. It’s worth mentioning that you should start training your dog as early as possible in order to achieve even better results.

The Australian Shepherds Mini can be successfully trained for a wide variety of dog sports including

• Agility
• Herding
• Obedience
• Fly ball
• Disk dog

You should also remember that this breed likes long walks. That’s why it is recommended to walk your dog at least 2 times per day. And these walks should last no less than 90 minutes. Try to spend extra 30 minutes to play with the dog. Jumping and chasing are their favourite activities.

Keep in mind that using positive reinforcement technique is the most effective way to train your Mini Aussie. To put it simply, this technique is based on rewarding the dog for good behaviour. When you reward the dog, you encourage it to repeat the behaviour you like.

Using treats is a great idea when training your Mini Aussie. However, you should know how to use them correctly. Make sure that the treats you use are small and will not add too many calories to your dog’s diet. When choosing the right treat for your Mini Aussie, read the nutritional information on the package carefully. Plus, give the treat only when the dog really deserves it.

Feeding your Miniature Australian Shepherd

When you bring a puppy home, you become totally responsible for its health and happiness. And well-balanced diet is one of the key factors that contribute to the proper growth and development of your puppy.

The Mini Aussie thrives on a diet that includes the high-quality dry dog food. This type of food seems to be a convenient option for owners who are too busy to cook food by themselves. Plus, high-quality dry dog food contains all the essential vitamins and micro-elements to help your pet stay always healthy. The only thing you have to do is to choose a premium brand that can really be trusted.

Due to the fact that the Australian Shepherds Mini spend a lot of energy, they love to eat. If your dog consumes large amounts of food uncontrollably, it will become obese within a short period of time. It’s well-known that obesity can undermine your dog’s health and lead to even more serious problems.

Keeping your Mini Aussie’s coat healthy

Every dog looks fabulous with a shiny and glossy coat. Mini Aussies shed a lot. That’s why you should brush you dog on a regular basis to control its shedding. Plus, you should check the coat for any dirt, ticks or fleas. Finding a special brush or comb will never be a problem.

The Australian Shepherds Mini are wonderful pets ideal for active families with older children. The Mini Aussie will bring joy into your life and help you get the most out of it.