Fun fact: Aussie sizes are based on height, not weight. Adults 14" and under are considered to be Toy sized, regardless of their adult weight. A dog that measures above 14" in height is a Mini. You can learn how to measure a dog's height HERE.
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.
Toy Australian Shepherds are any Australian Shepherd Bred Dogs that are shorter than 14 in (36 cm) at the shoulder. They typically range from 10-14 in tall.
The main difference between a Mini and a Toy Australian Shepherd is size. Mini Australian Shepherds are larger than Toy Australian Shepherds in both height and weight. Mini Australian Shepherds are on average one to four inches taller than Toy Australian Shepherds.
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.
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.
The bottom line. While Australian Shepherds are known for being strong working dogs, they can be cuddly and affectionate, too. Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them.
Training goal #6: Get your Aussie involved in AKC activities
These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train. Regardless of the activity, your dog will love doing it with you.
Mini Aussies are not particularly more difficult to potty train than any other dog their size. They are a bit more difficult to train than a larger Australian Shepherd, simply because of their smaller bladders. They will need to be taken outside more often and typically have more accidents indoors.
In conclusion, Aussiedoodles are typically very low-shedding dogs who greatly benefit from the Poodle in their genetic makeup. They often come with a single coat, or with a low-shedding undercoat that sheds considerably less than those of the Australian Shepherd parent.
(One recommendation is Purina Pro Plan). From 3-6 months old, your puppy needs to be fed 3 times a day. Six month old puppies can move to 2 feedings per day and at 1 year old, one bowl of food is all that is needed. At this point you can choose to have a feeding time or put out the food and allow your dog to free-eat.
A Miniature Australian Shepherd requires a moderate amount of exercise—at least one hour per day. Luckily, these pups aren't particular with how they receive their workout, so a walk, run, jog, or hike can all do the job. These pups also enjoy off-leash running outside (in a fenced-in area) and some indoor playtime.
On average, our puppies are $3000 - $5000.
Never more, sometimes less. Expect to pay on the lower end of the scale for a TRI with Brown Eyes.
Mini Aussie Shepherds are known for their high energy levels and devotion to their owners, but not usually for their barking. Some Mini Aussies will bark excessively, however, if they don't have enough energy burned off during the day or are given no opportunity to redirect it.
Basic Grooming Advice
Keeping your miniature Australian shepherd looking cute is all about tending to their fur. These are big shedders thanks to their double coats, so their fur requires some serious attention. To keep shedding under control, it's essential to brush them often.
Unfortunately, Australian shepherds are not hypoallergenic. These dogs have a dense double coat that sheds all year round with heavier shedding seasons in the fall and spring. This type of coat is one of the worst options for allergy sufferers.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
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.
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.
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 Are Among the Smartest Dogs in the World
There are intelligent dogs, then there are Australian Shepherds. Since Toy Australian Shepherds have identical intelligence ratings as their larger counterparts, they're also among the most intelligent dogs in the world.
How big should a 6-month-old Australian Shepherd be? A six-month-old female Australian Shepherd should weigh around 30 to 35 pounds, while a male Australian Shepherd at the same age will weigh between 40 and 46 pounds.
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.
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.