The Toy Australian Shepherd: A Miniature Version of the Breed

Have you heard about the toy Australian Shepherd? Let’s start from the beginning.

The Australian Shepherd is an adorable and loveable dog. These dogs are an absolute furry delight with their breathtaking appearance, friendly attitude, and affectionate personality.

Now imagine if somebody decided to compress all this cuteness and create a smaller version of the Aussie? Well, somebody did. Thus, the Miniature Australian Shepherd was created.

However, this wasn’t enough for some breeders. Therefore, they decided that the world needed an even smaller version of the Australian Shepherd.

Here are some fun facts about the toy Australian Shepherd.

What is a Toy Australian Shepherd?

The Toy Australian Shepherd is a miniaturized version of the Miniature Australian Shepherd which is a smaller version of the original Australian Shepherd. They are produced in the same way as the Mini Aussie. Breeders cross the most miniature examples of this breed. By doing this, they decrease the size of the newborn puppies.

However, they sometimes mix the Mini Aussies with other small species to achieve even more impressive results. Toy Australian Shepherds are not officially recognized as a separate breed, unlike their slightly larger cousin, the Miniature Aussie. The Toy Aussie holds the record for being the smallest herding dog in the world.

Breeders started producing Toy Australian Shepherds in the last few years. As the interest for purse-sized dogs has significantly increased, these intelligent guys seized the opportunity to enter the market. Toy Aussies are more complicated to be reproduced than Miniature and Standard Aussies.

Their bodies are tiny, and therefore pregnancy puts lots of pressure on female Toy Aussies. On average, a Toy Aussie mom can give birth to three puppies. When born, these delights weigh around 0,1 pounds. If you want to compare, that’s the weight of 2 AA batteries.

Appearance and size of The Toy Australian Shepherd

Toy Australian Shepherds look precisely the same as regular-sized Australian Shepherds but smaller. They have the same double coat that comes in striking colors. Toy Aussies can be blue merle, red merle, black, and red-colored. However, a plethora of combinations of these colors exist. Their fur is also medium long. These pups shed heavily. However, unlike their larger counterparts, they do not often require grooming and brushing. As far as it goes for bathing, it would be best if you only bathed your Toy Aussie when it gets filthy.

These dogs are a lot smaller than standard and miniature Aussies. They stand 10 to 14 inches tall, with 12 to 18 pounds. For comparison, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is 15 to 18 inches tall, while standard Aussies reach 18 to 23 inches. The eyes of the Toy Aussie can also be blue, green, brown, hazel, or amber. The majority of them are born in merle colors. However, single-colored Toy Aussies also exist but are very rare.

The breeding of these dogs has caused many disagreements among experts. While some believe these dogs should be produced, others are against it. They simply believe that these dogs will never meet the standards of the regular-sized Aussie. However, it is a fact these pups are simply adorable.

Personality of The Toy Australian Shepherd

The Toy Australian Shepherd has the same adorable personality as its larger cousins. These dogs are brilliant, loyal, playful, and affectionate. They love humans and therefore make excellent family dogs. Unlike regular Aussies, Toy Australian Shepherds are social and are not aloof with strangers. These little delights get along with everyone, including other animals. They are enthusiastic, loving, and friendly. Aggression is an unknown behavior for these dogs.

The Toy Aussie has high energy levels. However, they require less exercise time than big Aussies due to their size. An hour and a half of daily activities are recommended. These activities can include walking, running, or playing. However, the Toy Aussie needs both mental and physical stimulation. If not correctly worn out, these pups tend to get bored, and therefore, destructive. They thrive when given a task to do.

These bijou creatures are loud. As all herding breeds, they too like to bark and growl. However, they rarely bark without occasion. Training the Toy Aussie should be a fun and easy experience. They are intelligent and eager to learn. Short training sessions and positive reinforcement work best for these pups. Obedience and socialization should be the first of the training courses. Also, Toy Aussies possess the same herding instinct as their larger counterparts. This issue should also be addressed early.

Once you’ve dealt with the herding issue, you can let the Toy Aussie play with your children. These dogs are some of the finest family dogs. They are kind yet protective. These dogs love to please their human parents. Once the bond between the two is created, it becomes unbreakable. Toy Aussies love to be around humans at all times.

Health Issues and Lifespan of The Toy Australian Shepherd

The Toy Australian Shepherds share the same health issues as the standard Aussie. Therefore, these pups can suffer from:

• Hip Dysplasia
• Elbow Dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Drug Sensitivity
• Collie Eye Anomaly
• Colobomas
• Cataracts
• Detached Retinas

Regular screenings and vet visits are strongly advised to prevent some of these issues. The average lifespan of Toy Australian Shepherds is 13 to 15 years. However, this is very individual and depends on many factors, such as diet, activity, or genetics.  

Price and Costs of The Toy Australian Shepherd

The smaller the dog, the higher the prices. While the standard Australian Shepherd is being sold for $600 to $800, the Miniature Aussie reaches prices of $1,500 to $3,000. However, the Toy Australian Shepherd is slightly cheaper. The average price you’ll pay for this dog ranges from $1,400 to $2,500. This is probably because the breed is not yet officially recognized. Once it enters the books of the American Kennel Club, I am sure the prices will skyrocket.

As far as it goes for a monthly cost, Toy Australian Shepherds are much cheaper than regular Aussies. This is mainly caused by the fact these dogs eat way less than their larger cousins. Therefore, less food means less money. Also, you’ll spend less on shampoo for bathing their small bodies. Vet costs, however, remain the same as for standard size Aussies.

Are toy Australian Shepherds Cuddly?

Some people might say that toy Australian Shepherds are not as cuddly as other breeds of dogs. This is because they were bred to be working dogs and have a lot of energy. However, if you take the time to get to know your toy Australian Shepherd, you will find that he or she is a very friendly and loving dog. In fact, many people believe that toy Australian Shepherds are even cuddlier than larger breeds of dogs.

So, if you are looking for a furry friend who loves to snuggle, a toy Australian Shepherd may be the perfect pet for you!