Also known as the Mini Aussie, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is an energetic and intelligent breed. But how do you know whether you are ready to purchase a pet and if this breed is right for you? This information is absolutely necessary in making the decision to purchase a pet.
History
The exact origin of the Miniature Australian Shepherd has not been well documented. Enthusiasts believe that this breed may date back as far as the 19th century, through selective breeding, though this has never been proven scientifically or otherwise.
Throughout its history, the Miniature Australian Shepherd has been most commonly used for herding and driving cattle and as a watch dog, proving its superior abilities to work for hours on end while providing enthusiastic companionship.
Today, while the Miniature Australian Shepherd has attained an underground popularity as a working and companion dog, the breed remains rather rare outside of its popularity within the United States.
Personality Traits
Best known for its energetic and outgoing nature, the Miniature Australian Shepherd loves to keep busy with work and play. These dogs thrive on strong and dependable relationships with humans, and love attention and playing the role of lap dog on occasion. This breed is very intelligent and generally easy to train. As a pet, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate. These dogs are not suited for full-time indoor or apartment living, as they enjoy spending time outdoors, playing games such as frisbee and tug-of-war, and having plenty of room to roam, run, and play.
Train-ability
Due to its need to keep busy and willingness to learn, the Miniature Australian Shepherd generally responds well to basic training and commands. These bright dogs have the ability to learn to perform most any task their trainer is willing to take the time to teach.
Establishing immediate trust and respect is key to successfully training the Miniature Australian Shepherd. This breed requires a confident and hands-on trainer with a stern yet gentle approach to repetitive exercises and tasks.
Benefits and Disadvantages of the Breed
There are many benefits to owning a Miniature Australian Shepherd. These active dogs are always on the go, and often quite amusing and entertaining to watch while at play. This breed is very intelligent, easy to train, obedient by nature, and capable of learning to perform many impressive tricks and tasks. When properly socialized from a young age, the Miniature Australian Shepherd gets along well with children and other pets, known for its sweet and gentle approach to small children and its ability to make friends with other animals. These dogs are alert and aware of their surroundings, serving as effective watch dogs by announcing the arrival of guests and unwanted visitors. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is obedient, loyal, loving, and affectionate, making an excellent working dog, family pet, and companion alike.
Unfortunately, there are also disadvantages to owning a Miniature Australian Shepherd. This energetic and athletic breed requires large amounts of daily exercise and room to run and play outdoors. Anyone wishing to purchase this breed lacking the adequate amount of time and space to dedicate to the dog is strongly advised against doing so. A Miniature Australian Shepherd not receiving the proper amount of exercise and space will often act out by destroying property, chewing, barking, whining, and ignoring basic training such as housebreaking.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd has a strong instinct to hunt and will occasionally indulge in a good chase. When on the run, these dogs are surprisingly quick, and may pose a threat to other animals, neighborhood pets, and small woodland creatures. The Miniature Australian Shepherd must be leashed or properly secured at all times when outdoors.
This breed's long and beautiful coat requires almost constant attention such as brushing and grooming in order to maintain its attractive appearance and prevent tangling.
As previously mentioned, the Miniature Australian Shepherd remains rather rare outside of its popularity in the United States and can prove difficult to obtain. Individuals seeking to purchase this breed often encounter such challenges as inability to locate a breeder, high prices, and being placed on long waiting lists.
Common Health Concerns
While the Miniature Australian Shepherd is typically known as a healthy and hearty breed, they do suffer from a few health problems, including: patellar luxation - dislocation of the knee, liver disease, difficulty in birthing - sometimes resulting in caesarian section, von Willebrand's Disease - a blood clotting disorder, and cryptorchidism - failure of one or both of the testicles to fully descend.
Now that you know all about the breed, do you think you are ready to own a Miniature Australian Shepherd? Remember, purchasing a pet is a big decision and should be discussed thoroughly and seriously with your entire family.
