Toy Australian Shepherds

Toy Australian Shepherds measure only 10-14 inches at the withers while Miniature Australian Shepherds stand 13-18 inches and the full-size Australian Shepherds reach up to 23 inches high. Miniature Australian Shepherds appeared after breeding down full-sized dogs. The Toy Australian Shepherd is a result of further breeding for smaller size. Some breeders are not content with the result and produce Tea Cup Australian Shepherds measuring less than 10 inches high and under 12 pounds in weight. The other name for the Miniature and Toy varieties is the North American Miniature Australian Shepherd, though some breeders are against changing the original name of the breed.

Toy Australian Shepherds are not registered by major clubs, but it doesn’t influence their popularity. This variety of the breed is popular among people who admire the temperament and personality of the Australian Shepherd dog but cannot keep a large and powerful pet indoors. Breeders of the toy Aussies have reduced the energy and dog-aggressiveness of the Australian Shepherd and created the ideal low-maintenance family pet with a friendly and easy-going disposition. Smaller dogs cannot perform the original function of the breed, but their intelligence and alertness make them good watch dogs and reliable pets for children of all ages.

Toy Australian Shepherds should be obtained from reputable breeders only, because in this case you can be sure the dog is really of the Toy size. Since this breed is new and rare, some profit-oriented breeders sell smaller puppies as Toy or Miniature, and they grow into full-size Australian Shepherds. Visiting the kennel and seeing other puppies and their parents is the only way to make sure about the future size of your new puppy. If the breeder doesn’t invite you to see the kennel it probably means that he/she uses unethical methods of breeding.

The AKC doesn’t register the Toy and Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs, but there are other organizations that develop the breed standard and promote all varieties of the breed. Toy Australian Shepherds are recognized by the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of American (MASCA,) North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA (NAMASCUSA,) National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR,) and American Pet Registry Inc. (APRI.)