"What you should know before purchasing an Aussie"
Toy Australian Shepherds are adorable, energetic, and intelligent dog breeds that possess most of the Standard Australian Shepherd qualities in a smaller package. They originate from Mini and Standard Australian Shepherds and are mostly bred in the United States.
Although the Toy, Teacup, and Mini Australian Shepherds all come from the Standard Australian Shepherd, they still have distinct differences. The most observable difference between them is size.
The Mini Aussie was first bred from Standard Australia and was similar in nearly all aspects except the size. Then steps were taken to go even smaller and produce a toy version of the breed.
Apart from the size of the Toy Aussies, they are also different from their Mini counterparts in the sense that they could not function as full working dogs. However, they still retain the instinct to herd and are very active dogs.
The Teacup Australian Shepherd is the smallest of the Australian Shepherd breed. And it is absolutely not a working dog. It weighs between 4 and 8 pounds, hence, the teacup label.
Toy Australian Shepherds are also territorial dogs. They are natural guardians and always eager to protect their family and home from any threat. So you can trust them when it comes to the security of your home and property, they will protect you!
If you are thinking of leaving a Toy Aussie in a kennel or in a place for long periods, then you should consider getting other dog breeds. This is because they tend to become nervous and destructive if left alone for too long without enough mental and physical stimulation.
ASDR Breed Standard & toy aussie standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog, no matter whether Standard, Miniature or toy. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined. Bone is moderate and clean with coarseness, heaviness or lightness being undesirable.
CHARACTER
The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is naturally reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable. Fault: Undue shyness.
HEAD
The head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. The muzzle is equal in length or slightly shorter than the back skull. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. Expression – Showing attentiveness and intelligence, alert and eager. Gaze should be keen but friendly. Eyes are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. Almond shaped, not protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on eye rims. The red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on eye rims. Ears are triangular, of moderate size and leather, set high on the head. At full attention they break forward and over, or to the side as a rose ear. Prick ears and hanging ears are severe faults. Skull – Top flat to slightly domed. It may show a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal. Moderate well-defined stop. Muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. Nose – Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). On the merles it is permissible to have small pink spots; however, they should not exceed 25 percent of the nose on dogs over one year of age, which is a serious fault. Dudley nose over 1 year of age is a Disqualification. Teeth– A full complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite. Disqualifications – Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch. Loss of contact caused by short center incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall not be judged undershot. Teeth broken or missing by accident shall not be penalized.
NECK AND BODY
The neck is firm, clean and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the
crest, setting well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural four-square stance. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well-sprung. The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is moderately sloping, the ideal being thirty (30) degrees from the horizontal. Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobbed or docked. We do allow non docked dogs to accomodate our foreign breeders, as some countries do not allow docking of tails. We also recognize that some people choose not to dock for personal reasons.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulder blades (scapulae) are long and flat, close set at the withers, approximately two fingers width at a natural stance and are well laid back at an angle approximating forty-five (45) degrees to the ground. The upper arm (humerus) is attached at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. The legs are straight and powerful. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient, nails short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS
Strong and muscular. Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis and the upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The metatarsi are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear dewclaws are removed.
COAT
Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quantity of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
COLOR
All colors are strong, clear and rich. The colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black and solid red (liver) and with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. The blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims; the red (liver) merle and red (liver) have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims.
GAIT
Smooth, free and easy; exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced, ground-covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the center line of the body; as speed increases, the feet, both front and rear, converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog, while the topline remains firm and level. Joints do not bend or twist when in motion.
SIZE
STANDARD: Height for both male and female is 18 inches up to 23 inches at the top of the withers.
MINIATURE: Height for both male and female is 14 inches up to 18 inches at the top of withers.
TOY: Height for both male and female is 10 inches up to 14 inches at the top of the withers.
Breed information
The Australian shepherd didn’t originate in Australia. The breed, affectionately known as the Aussie, hails from the Pyrenees Mountains region between France and Spain. According to the American Kennel Club, the dog was referred to as the Australian shepherd because Basque shepherds originally from the Pyrenees area brought these dogs to the United States from Australia in the 19th century. The dog also has been called the California shepherd and the New Mexican shepherd. While the energetic, friendly Aussie excels as a ranch and farm dog, he can live in suburbia if there’s a large backyard and he receives lots of exercise. He’s really not suited for city living, unless his person can give him the amount of exercise this active breed requires.
Standard Australian Shepherd
Male Australian shepherds mature between 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, with females standing between 18 to 21 inches high. Males weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, while females range between 40 to 55 pounds. Permissible colors include black, red and blue or red merle — a solid base color with marbling. White markings and tan points are common. White is allowed on the legs, chest, neck, under the muzzle and as part of a facial blaze. Their medium-length coats can be wavy or straight. Australian shepherds sport feathering on the backs of their legs and their “britches,” or the area on either side of the tail to the legs.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
At maturity, miniature Australian shepherds range between 15 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing between 25 to 40 pounds. Males are larger than females. Other than size, the miniature Australian shepherd looks exactly like the standard version. The breed was created by mating standard Aussies maturing on the small size to each other, until the resulting puppies remained true to size and type.
Toy Australian Shepherd
The toy is the smallest version of the Aussie, created by a similar breeding-down process. Toy Australian shepherds stand between 10 and 14 inches tall at the shoulder when full-grown, weighing between 12 and 17 pounds. Although he’s small, the toy Aussie possesses all the herding instincts of his larger relatives. Unlike some other small dogs, who are relatively fragile, he’s a good choice as a child’s companion and gets along with other animals. These little dogs need plenty of stimulation and exercise.
Puppy Program
- Litter Box Trained
- Constant Interaction
- Paw Massage
- Basic Behavioral Training
- Puppy Package
Core Values
- Honesty
- Reliability
- Friendly
- Loyalty
Avoid being scammed
The Australian shepherd didn’t originate in Australia. The breed, affectionately known as the Aussie, hails from the Pyrenees Mountains region between France and Spain. According to the American Kennel Club, the dog was referred to as the Australian shepherd because Basque shepherds originally from the Pyrenees area brought these dogs to the United States from Australia in the 19th century. The dog also has been called the California shepherd and the New Mexican shepherd. While the energetic, friendly Aussie excels as a ranch and farm dog, he can live in suburbia if there’s a large backyard and he receives lots of exercise. He’s really not suited for city living, unless his person can give him the amount of exercise this active breed requires.
Standard Australian Shepherd
Male Australian shepherds mature between 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder, with females standing between 18 to 21 inches high. Males weigh between 50 and 65 pounds, while females range between 40 to 55 pounds. Permissible colors include black, red and blue or red merle — a solid base color with marbling. White markings and tan points are common. White is allowed on the legs, chest, neck, under the muzzle and as part of a facial blaze. Their medium-length coats can be wavy or straight. Australian shepherds sport feathering on the backs of their legs and their “britches,” or the area on either side of the tail to the legs.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
At maturity, miniature Australian shepherds range between 15 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder, weighing between 25 to 40 pounds. Males are larger than females. Other than size, the miniature Australian shepherd looks exactly like the standard version. The breed was created by mating standard Aussies maturing on the small size to each other, until the resulting puppies remained true to size and type.
Toy Australian Shepherd
The toy is the smallest version of the Aussie, created by a similar breeding-down process. Toy Australian shepherds stand between 10 and 14 inches tall at the shoulder when full-grown, weighing between 12 and 17 pounds. Although he’s small, the toy Aussie possesses all the herding instincts of his larger relatives. Unlike some other small dogs, who are relatively fragile, he’s a good choice as a child’s companion and gets along with other animals. These little dogs need plenty of stimulation and exercise.