On average, Toy Australian Shepherds stand at 10 to 14 inches tall at the shoulder. They are the shortest Australian Shepherd size.
Breed Details
Height: Ideally, males should be 14 to 18 inches tall at the withers; females, 14 to 17 inches. Weight: Approximately 20 to 40 pounds.
In 1993 the original MASCUSA club was asked by the AKC to change its name. Additionally, Miniature Australian Shepherds could no longer participate under their chosen name as it was too similar to that of an AKC affiliated breed, so the Miniature Australian Shepherd was renamed the North American Shepherd.
One of the most noticeable differences is size. Miniature Australian Shepherds stand between 13 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder, while Toy Australian Shepherds are even smaller, measuring less than 13 inches. Both miniature and toy Aussies are considered small dogs, but the toy variety is truly a lapdog size.
A: There are three different sizes of Australian Shepherds: standard, mini, and toy. Standard Australian Shepherds mature between 18 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder. Males typically weigh between 50 and 65 pounds; females generally weigh between 40 to 55 pounds.
In the 1960s, small-size Australian Shepherds found working the U.S. rodeo circuit were selectively bred to further reduce their size. The new breed was originally called the Miniature Australian Shepherd. “They became especially popular with equestrians traveling to horse shows,…
The Australian Shepherd is a purebred dog, originally bred for sheep-herding. There are four different sizes of Australian Shepherd including the Teacup, Toy, Mini & Standard Australian Shepherd. Here is an Australian Shepherd size comparison guide so you know all the facts about each size of this dog breed.
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.
Miniature Australian Shepherds are fantastic family dogs. These pups enjoy the company of children and can thrive in an active home.
Appearance. 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.
Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living. Medium-large-sized homes with gardens are best, but they can do well in smaller homes, too. Just so long as they get everything they need to be happy and healthy!
The Australian Shepherd is not bred to dig and will only resort to digging if he is not stimulated enough to satisfy his need to be busy and involved with his owner.
They are generally healthy with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Common health conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1), ocular conditions, epilepsy, and various cancers.
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.
Which Mini Aussie colors are recognized by the AKC? The American Kennel Club officially recognizes blue merle, red merle, black, and red coats as Australian Shepherd colors. Aussies with black or red coats with white and tan markings may be deemed acceptable depending on the size and location of the markings.
These dogs do not always have blue eyes, but pale blue, “ghostly” eyes are common among the breed.
Mini Aussies are similar smaller versions of Australian Shepherds. In many cases, they may not be much smaller at all. Their love for water will often be the same as a larger Aussie as well. For the most part, these dogs may love water if they are introduced to it at a young age.
The Miniature American Shepherd has an overall body length of roughly 20”-28” (51-71 cm), standing height between 16”-22” (41-56 cm), and a typical lifespan of 12-15 years.
Miniature Australian Shepherds are sometimes also called Miniature American Shepherds since they were bred in the United States, but the official breed name is Australian because they descend from Australian herding dogs imported to America.
They are excellent watchdogs. However, they are not the best dogs for actually protecting anyone. Even with the best training, these dogs usually won't be as good at protecting people and property as other breeds. They don't have the instincts to supplement any training they receive.
Are Mini Aussies always hyper? Mini Aussie dogs are active dogs for life, often well into old age. However, owners will notice a decrease in activity level in their dogs' older years. Their puppyhood will be extremely hyperactive until they are around two years old.
Australian Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds, coming in at 16th on the American Kennel Club's most recent ranking. Aussie's are loved by many because they are smart, high-energy, versatile, loyal, and loving dogs.
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.
Border collies, German shepherds, poodles, Australian shepherds and golden retrievers all have a reputation for being intelligent dogs.