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 6th 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?
