The Mini Australian Shepherd has a relatively long life expectancy and normally lives to between 12 and 13 years of age. However, some have been known to live to 15 years old.
And there are few medium-sized breeds that surpass it. Interestingly, while small dogs typically have longer life expectancies, mini Australian shepherds, which the AKC recognizes as the miniature American shepherd, have a life expectancy of just 12-13 years.
Longevity. According to Guinness World Records, Bluey (1910–1939) lived to 29 years, 5 months before being euthanised.
According to the Australian Shepherd Club of America, Aussies may experience a number of health issues, including: Hip dysplasia: This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. Elbow dysplasia: These are multiple abnormalities in the elbow joint. Epilepsy: This can cause occasional seizures.
In addition to heritable joint conditions, some mini Aussies are predisposed to a variety of genetic eye conditions that can cause blindness, including progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts, detached retinas, Collie eye anomaly, and more.
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.
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.
An adult Mini Aussie needs at least one hour of exercise every day, but preferably closer to two. Their daily exercise should ideally be split into two walks per day.
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
They are quick learners and can be trained to do a variety of tasks. They excel at agility trials and other dog sports. Australian shepherds also make great service dogs and therapy dogs. The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog breed that is known for its loyalty and trainability.
Puppies between 8 and twelve weeks old need 3-4 bowls of food a day. Follow the guidelines on your dog food bag to determine how much each serving should be. (One recommendation is Purina Pro Plan). From 3-6 months old, your puppy needs to be fed 3 times a day.
Which Mini Aussie colors are the rarest? Solid black and red coats are the least common coats among Aussie dogs, with solid red being the absolute rarest. The red-colored gene is recessive in dogs, meaning red fur must be present in both parents to make a red-colored pup.
Miniature Australian shepherds are known for their high energy and athletic skills. They are affectionate with adults, kids, and other pets, and they are stunningly beautiful dogs often with striking eye colors.
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.
Australian Shepherds will bark at strangers, loud noises, and other animals as a way of getting rid of all that excess energy. More so, they can display the same type of behavior towards squirrels, thunderstorms, or even a passing car.
Conclusion. Australian Shepherds tend to whine for all sorts of reasons, such as to get your attention or if they're sick or injured. If you can rule out a medical condition, then the next step to quiet your Aussie is to train them not to whine. Failing to indulge in their bad behavior will clue them in to stop.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.
Why Are Shepherds So Anxious? Herding dogs, especially the Australian Shepherd, have an instinct to herd and are more prone to anxiety if they cannot corral those in their care. As your shepherd cares so much about you, she may feel severe separation anxiety when you leave the house, and they are completely alone.
Canine companions that follow their humans everywhere are often referred to as “velcro dogs” because of their desire to be attached to your side. “Dogs are pack animals, and we are their pack,” says Sally Morgan, author and holistic physical therapist for pets and people.
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months. Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
They need at least 30-60 minutes of exercise daily, and a job to do to be entertained at all times. They love going for walks or even hikes but should be kept on a leash as they have high chasing instincts. These dogs shed a lot, so they need to be groomed regularly. Brush your Mini Aussie every day.
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
A Mini Aussie likes outdoor exercise and activities. He is a natural outdoor working dog and does best when he has a task to complete (this is due to their original breed purpose of being herding dogs).
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
No. These dogs are not naturally aggressive and make excellent family pets in many homes — they're active, loyal, and loving dogs. So if you're looking for a new canine best friend, an Australian shepherd could be one of the best dogs for you and your family.