Australian Shepherd Dog - Everything You Want to Know

If you are looking to bring home a great pet…then one of the top ten breeds are the Miniature Australian Shepherd.  They are like a puppy that never grows up, they love to play.  They are very loyal, courageous and very affectionate, making a great companion for small children.  They love to be active with their child companions.  Because they are naturally protective, they make a great guardian and friend. 

The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a very attentive dog, so eager to please his owner, almost having a 6^th sense of some sort, able to predict what the owner wants before he asks.  He is very lively and agile, making him so fun to have around.  They are very easy to train because of their high intelligence.  If they are left alone too much, they can become nervous and destructive.  They need a lot of exercise and something to keep them busy…such as a job.  They become bored quite easily, so plan on giving this dog a lot of attention, keeping him busy. 

They are not fond of strangers, so socialization while a puppy is very important.  They have a natural instinct to nip people in the heel as if to herd them.  The Miniature Australian Shepherd makes a wonderful and loving companion whether he is there for play or work.

There are some working dog breeds that love to bark, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is not one of them.  They are quiet when they work, and are not very aggressive.  They will work out in an apartment if you are taking them out to walk and exercise every day.  They also do well in a small yard and do great in cold temperatures.

The Miniature Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of 12 to 13 years.  The only health problems they seem to be prone to are deafness and blindness, especially in the merle puppies.  If your puppy has one merle parent, and one solid color parent, their health issues are fewer.  Those that are pure merle, will have more health issues. 

The smallest of the Miniature Australian Shepherd is the Tea Cup, weighing under 12 pounds.  The Toy weighs 12 to 17 pounds, and 10 to 14 inches tall.  The Miniature height is 13 to 18 inches and weighing anywhere from 20 to 40 pounds. 

The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a great choice for a family pet, especially if you have some active kids who will play with him.  They love and need a lot of attention, they need to be kept busy, and are easy to train.  When you have all of these benefits, how can you go wrong?

There is a Australian Shepherd Rescue which is a non-profit organization comprised of volunteers who love and dedicate their work to saving the Australian Shepherd breed.  They do this as volunteers, receiving no payment, at least monetarily, but they do receive payment in their sense of accomplishment and satisfaction of placing orphaned puppies into loving, caring homes where they will be happy and safe. 

Anybody that works with the Australian Shepherd Rescue program are put through a thorough background check.  They will be instructed in the procedures of proper placement and care of rescue dogs.  They not only have foster homes and representatives who put in many tireless hours in caring for these wonderful dogs.  These volunteers vary from dog breeders to pet owner, each one bringing their own talents and expertise to the Australian Shepherd Rescue program.  If you want to be a volunteer, you can contact the ARPH. 

Their rescue efforts are supported by donations of those such as the Australian Shepherd Club of America ASCA, and those who love this breed.  There are affiliate clubs, donations and products from homes and fund raisers.  If you want to make a donation to the Australian Shepherd Rescue fund, you can do so with a tax deductible donation which is in accordance to the US tax code for 501(c)(3) tax deductible charity organizations. 

If you are a lover of this wonderful breed, then this organization can use your help and your donations.  You can help to support and protect this wonderful breed of Australian Shepherd dogs.

The Australian Shepherd Rescue organization is something you can also check into when you are ready to adopt one of these wonderful animals.  The ARPH is in need of good foster homes all across the United States, as well as Canada.  You can offer your home as one of these foster homes, saving these wonderful dogs.  Without you, the Australian Shepherd Rescue would not be able to help the countless Aussies that need their help and rescue.  Be a part of the rescu, provide a loving foster home, become a hero to the incredible Australian Shepherd Rescue program today!