Bring Joy to your Family With an Australian Shepherd Toy Puppy
Bright eyes and an intellect to match are the hallmarks of the Australian Shepherd and those traits have not diminished with the small size of the Australian Shepherd Toy. This is an active breed with plenty of energy and a loyal streak that makes them a perfect family dog. They need plenty of mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy but with the right approach you’ll have a wonderful companion. The Australian Shepherd Toy has all of the same physical attributes as the larger version of the breed but stands only 10-14 inches tall and weighs between 12-17 pounds. Their coats come in a variety of colors including blue merle, red merle, black/white, brown/white, or a tri-colored black/white/brown or tri-colored merle.
History
The Australian Shepherd Toy breed has roots tracing back to the 19th century, sharing origins with the standard Australian Shepherd, which was developed primarily in the United States. Although the name suggests Australian roots, the breed actually originated in the western U.S., where ranchers bred these intelligent, agile dogs to herd livestock. Over time, breeders selectively downsized the standard breed to create the Miniature and Toy versions, preserving their herding instincts and intelligence in a more compact size. Today, Toy Australian Shepherds are prized for their loyalty, adaptability, and keen intelligence, making them excellent companions in various environments.
Temperament
Like its parent breed, the Australian Shepherd Toy is hyperactive, playful, social and very intelligent. They are friendly with children and get along well with other dogs and pets, making them a great addition to any family. Though small in size, they still have the herding instinct and are prone to nipping and barking which can be an issue around younger children. They are highly intelligent dogs and can become bored very easily with a tendency toward separation anxiety, which can lead them to develop bad habits like chewing. Fortunately, their intelligence makes them easy to train so you can curb these tendencies with the proper approach.
Environment
While their small size makes them a good fit for apartments or smaller homes, the Australian Shepherd Toy still needs to expend energy or have plenty of mental stimulation so they don’t become destructive. You’ll want to start training early to curb their tendency to bark and nip. Providing regular mental stimulation is key with this very intelligent breed. Games like hide and seek, or fetch and chase and puzzle toys are a perfect way to hone their natural herding tendencies and engage their brains at the same time.
Exercise
Even though they are small, the Australian Shepherd Toy still has a lot of energy and needs regular exercise to help work it off. About an hour and a half of physical exercise per day is generally adequate. That can include two long walks or time spent in a dog park running off leash, playing fetch or even swimming, a favorite of this active breed. For walks, it is important to vary their route so that they don’t become bored. Giving them new sights, smells and sounds to discover is a great way to provide mental stimulation as well as burn off excess energy.
Grooming
In general, the Australian Shepherd Toy is a low maintenance dog. Their coats don’t require a tremendous amount of attention but they are fairly heavy shedders so you’ll want to brush them at least once a week to stay on top of the excess fur. They don’t require regular baths but they should be bathed if they get particularly dirty while romping around outside. You may also need to trim the feathery fur on their rear-end from time to time for sanitary purposes.
