Toy Australian Shepherds are dogs that are not only adorably cute, but they are also energetic and intelligent dogs that still have many of the great qualities of their ancestors, the Australian Shepherd in a smaller package. In addition to being herding dogs, Australian Shepherds serve as Seeing Eye dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

Mini Aussies are also known as the Toy American Shepherd and Toy Aussie and we have no doubt this breed will become more popular over time.

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Toy Aussies at a Glance

The Toy Aussie is a fairly recent dog breed registration. Some breeders claim that this dog breed was created by breeding the smaller minis until the Toy breed of the Australian Shepherd was created. The best versions of these dogs are bred from mini Australian Shepherds that were bred to be smaller and smaller. Over time, the Toy Aussie Shepherd was created.

Known for their intelligence and playfulness, Toy Aussies also have a love for fun with auto ball launchers. As devoted companions with a rich heritage, these mini marvels are poised to capture even more hearts over time.

Toy Aussie Origin

! The Toy Australian Shepherd originates from Mini and Standard Australian Shepherds and is bred in the United States. Reportedly, the breed had no uniformity in appearance until 30 years ago. It is not known where the first breed appeared as this dog’s history is still unfolding.

These dogs were bred to maintain their small size but keep the best traits of herding, intelligence, and enthusiasm exhibited by the Australian Shepherd. Like their larger ancestor, these dogs still exhibit a strong herding instinct and can still herd smaller animals like ducks and geese!

Physical Traits of the Toy Australian Shepherd

A Toy Australian Shepherd looks similar to a mini or standard Australian Shepherd. However, the toy-sized breed stands at a foot or less at the shoulder. Australian Shepherd breeders state that twelve inches is the ideal height for a toy breed. Toy Aussies are small but sturdy.

Toy Aussie Coat

The coat of these toy Australian Shepherds can be wavy or straight, medium length, and weather-resistant. Colors vary from red merle and red, black, or blue merle. Some have white markings and tan points. Their tails are either a natural bobtail or docked. Additionally, some Toy Aussies have blue eyes.

Full Breed Standard

AKC.org or any other large institutions have not officially recognized the Toy Australian Shepherd yet. This breed would qualify as a designer breed. Breeders currently document the Breed Standard for this dog.

Are Toy Aussie Dogs Pure Bred?

The Toy Australian Shepherd is not currently recognized yet by the larger breed registries. There are however some breed registries here.

The breed information varies slightly among breeders since this dog is a fairly new breed but it can be found at some of the following locations:

Size
Grooming
Trainability
Good For Families
Tolerates Other Pets
Prey Drive
Health Score
Energy Level
Space Needs
Good for New Owners

How Big do Toy Aussies Get?

We often get asked what’s the most common toy aussie size. Well since they’re a relatively new breed, the information is limited. However, according to AKC, the breed standard Toy Australian Shepherd size are dogs that are shorter than 14 in (36 cm) at the shoulder. They typically range from 10-14 in tall. Most commonly, people will think of small dogs when they think of the size of a toy Aussie.

Mini Aussies on the other hand are only slightly larger than toy Aussies. So if you’re looking for a bigger dog, a mini Australian shepherd might be the dog for you. If you’re considering bringing this dog home, check out toy Aussies for sale.

How much does a Toy Australian Shepherd weigh?

Between 12-17 pounds.

Grooming a Toy Aussie Shepherd

Grooming these dogs is pretty easy. After all breeders created them to be companions!

Brushing

These dogs have 2 coats. One to protect this dog against weather and the inner coat to keep this dog warm or cool. They tend to shed around spring and fall. During these shedding periods brush at least several times a week.

Ears

Make sure to check their ears during grooming for any debris.

Bathing

The Toy Australian Shepherd only needs bathed if soiled.

Nails

Check their nails for splits or cracks. If their nails are getting too long trim them to prevent breaking.

Do Toy Australian Shepherds Shed a lot?

Even though these dogs have a double coat they are still fairly easy to care for. They shed their undercoat during the shedding seasons (spring and fall) and need frequent brushing during this time. All of the other times they shed a normal amount that can be handled with a weekly brushing. Bathe only when needed.

How Much do They Shed?

Toy Australian Shepherds shed moderately. Spring and fall require extra brushing.

Do They Drool?

All dogs drool some when they are hot or hungry but these dogs do not drool very much.

Other Care

During weekly brushings also make sure to check their nails and trim as needed. Trimming nails keeps them from cracking or breaking off which could lead to bigger issues.

Best Climate

This breed can tolerate cool or warm outdoor temperatures but because of their size a moderate temperature is recommended. Because of their need for constant socialization, they must be allowed indoors. These dogs will shed more in warmer weather.

Temperament

This loving breed often behaves like puppies. They are energetic and happy. These dogs love herding animals when it gets the chance. This breed is a very friendly dog and loves to stay busy with complex tasks!

Like most intelligent dogs if they get bored They will start to misbehave. Keep them stimulated and active! If you don’t have time to keep them active try an automatic toy like this, or an interactive toy to promote problem solving.

Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good Pets?

A Toy Australian Shepherd can be an excellent companion for other pets and children. However, they can be territorial by nature. They love constant stimulation and can be trained to do just about anything.

These dogs are bored by a sedentary lifestyle. This is not the breed of dog for someone who wants to plop on the couch with a remote in hand after working all day. A Toy Australian Shepherd would not be happy in a kennel. Similar to the Australian Labradoodle Florida who would also not do good in the hot outdoor climate of the state.

Do Toy Aussies make good family dogs?

This dog is eager to learn and intelligent. Devoted, loyal, and relaxed, these dogs bond closely with families. On the downside, some develop separation anxiety due to their relentless devotion. This dog loves being part of family activities and loves constant stimulation.

The dogs want to be your ‘partner.’ They make ideal house dogs if provided with appropriate exercise and social interaction with their owners. Many live on ranches or farms where they thrive on the physical and mental stimulation of helping with chores.

Herding Dog Temperament

In addition to being good-natured and happy, the temperament and character of the Toy Australian Shepherd are that of a herding dog. They retain the instinct to herd, even if they have not come in contact with livestock. Some will even herd their owners.

Do They Tolerate Other Pets?

These dogs can be great companions for other pets. They tend to bond best with animals it grew up with from young. Larger dogs can injure Toy Aussies because of their size.

Do They Have a Strong Prey Drive?

These dogs can tend to have a moderate to high Prey drive. It’s best to keep these dogs on a leash when outdoors.

Are They Social With Other People?

These dogs are sometimes shy around strangers. Socializing them as puppies can help lessen this behavior. In general they bond very closely with other people.

Are Toy Aussies Good for New Owners?

Toy American Shepherds require a lot of attention and energy. Although we do recommend this dog for families. If you have never owned a dog before this dog can be challenging because of the added stimulation. These dogs are very intelligent and should not be left alone for long periods at a time or they may start to misbehave. So we don’t recommend these dogs for new owners, however keep in mind this is very subjective and you can find out for sure by spending some time with these dogs at a breeder.

Health

australian shepherd puppy
/In general Toy Aussies can live a long healthy life! They are moderately healthy but this depends greatly on the breeder. Unfortunately, some underlying health deficiencies to be aware of. Health Issues can be avoided with Genetic Testing. For being a smaller dog their lifespan is not very long but they still make great companions!

 

How Long do Toy Aussies Live?

 

Toy Aussies typically live around 12 to 13 years.

 

How Much Do Toy Australian Shepherds Weigh?

 

If you’re pondering how much Mini Australian Shepherds weigh, you’re not alone. They typically weigh between 12-17 pounds. They make an ideal pet for those seeking a smaller but resilient canine friend. Mini Aussies maintain the intelligence, herding instincts, and vivacious personality of their larger counterparts.

 

Health Issues

 

Common health issues include:

 

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    • Hip Dysplasia
    • Cataracts
    • Some may be born deaf.
    • Other Eye Diseases

Exercise

 

These dogs are very intelligent and require a lot of stimulation. Some good news for these dogs is they are fairly small and taking them on a good long walk gives them plenty of exercise!

 

Toy, Mini, and Standard Aussie Differences

 

The differences between a Toy, Miniature, and Standard Aussie is all based on their size. The Mini and Standard Australian Shepherd are recognized as a breed by akc.org. The differences of the breeds are listed below:

 

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    • The Toy Australian Shepherd is between 10 and 14 inches Tall
    • The Standard Australian Shepherd is greater 18 inches Tall

Check out this YouTube video that explains the differences between the Toy, Mini, and regular Australian Shepherd.

 

Toy Australian Shepherds for Sale

 

This is a very popular dog and luckily there are many different breeders to choose from if you are looking for a Toy Aussie no matter where you are! These dogs can be pricey.

 

A Toy Australian Shepherd puppy can cost anywhere from $1800 to $2500 from a good reputable breeder.

 

You can’t typically take puppies home until they are around 8 weeks of age. If you aren’t breeding your puppy you should consider getting them neutered or spayed. Neutered males are much less aggressive and tend to mark territory less.

 

Tests Your Breeder Should Do

 

When working with a breeder make sure they do the following to ensure their dogs are healthy:

 

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    • The CERF (Canine Eye Registration Foundation) Testing is done Annually. See www.vmbd.org for more details on this test.
    • PRA-Prcd Testing. This is a genetic disorder called Progressive Rod-cone Degeneration-Progressive Retinal Atrophy, causes cells in the retina at the back of the eye to degenerate and die, even though the cells seem to develop normally early in life. It takes 2 Aussies with this genetic disorder to create a puppy that has this issue. If you are only looking for a companion dog then make sure both parents did not have this disorder. If not then your puppy should not!
    • MDR1 testing – Dogs with MDR1 have a compromised blood-brain barrier. This means they can have adverse reactions when given certain drugs such as ivermectin or loperamide. Make sure your puppy does not have this issue or you will need to avoid giving your dog certain drugs.

Toy Australian Shepherd Rescue

 

Because the Toy American Shepherd is relatively new, there are not many rescues that exist for these dogs yet. However luckily since rescues have big hearts, Mini Australian Shepherd Rescues will usually take these. For some great places to start try the following:

 

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Teacup Aussie Dogs: Miniature Marvels

 

In addition to standard and mini varieties, the fascination with Toy Australian Shepherds has given rise to the term “Teacup Aussie Dogs.” These pint-sized companions are loved for their compact size and adorable features. Teacup Aussies, like their larger counterparts, embody the intelligence, energy, and herding instincts of the Australian Shepherd breed, but in a conveniently smaller package.

 

While the term “Teacup” is not officially recognized by major breed registries, many enthusiasts appreciate the unique charm and portability these tiny Aussies bring into their live