Facts & Origin
What is a Mini Australian Shepherd?
The Mini Australian Shepterrier is an interesting cross between an Australian Terrier and a Miniature American Shepherd. It is known for its intelligence, liveliness and loyalty to its owners.
Origin and history
The Mini Australian Shepterrier breed is a relatively new one and therefore there is still little documented history. Conceived in the USA, it combines the character traits and appearance of its parent breeds: The sturdy, happy Australian Terrier and the intelligent, alert Miniature American Shepherd.
Alternate Name | - |
Origin | Australia - USA |
Life expectancy | 10 - 13 years |
Care requirements | low-maintenance - high-maintenance |
Activity level | average - high |
FCI group | not recognised |
AKC group | not recognised |
KC group | not recognised |
More Australian terrier mixes
More Miniature American Shepherd mixes
Attitude, character and temperament of the breed
Characteristics and suitability
The Mini Australian Shepterrier is a small breed, usually no taller than 33-46 inches and can reach a weight of up to 20 pounds. It is characterized by its soft, medium-length coat, which is usually a mixture of the coat colors of its parent breeds.
- Intelligence: Similar to the Miniature American Shepherd, the Mini Australian Shepterrier is extremely intelligent and capable of learning. He is eager to please his owners which makes training easier.
- Social Compatibility: Because of his friendly and compatible nature, he gets along very well with children and other dogs.
- Activity Level: As a descendant of working breeds, the Mini Australian Shepterrier requires regular physical and mental exercise.
In summary, the Mini Australian Shepterrier is a versatile breed that is suitable for both families and individuals. He is a good match for active people who are willing to provide him with enough exercise and mental stimulation.
Character and temperament
This mix scores high with its cheerful and outgoing character. The Mini Australian Shepterrier is known for its intelligence and adaptability. His affection for his people makes him the perfect family dog. He also has an extremely loyal and protective nature.
As a working and herding dog, he has a strong urge to exercise . Therefore, the Mini Australian Shepterrier is especially suited for active owners who can challenge him physically and mentally. Due to his high learning ability and his ambitious character he is ideal for various dog sports and training methods.
Usage
Grooming and health
Grooming the Mini Australian Shepterrier requires regular brushing to keep the coat clean and free of tangles. Since this breed tends to have a high energy level, sufficient exercise and mental stimulation should be provided.
On the subject of health, like all mixed breeds, the Mini Australian Shepterrier can be subject to genetic health issues from both parent breeds. These could include eye disease, hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism. It is important to have regular veterinary checkups and ensure a healthy diet.
Breeding the Mini Australian Shepterrier
Breeding such a mixed breed requires careful consideration. It is important to select healthy parents with good temperament. In addition, there should be enough space for the puppies to grow up in a safe and loving environment.
It should be noted that there are no specific breeding standards for mixed breed dogs. Therefore, the individual characteristics of each puppy may vary depending on which traits of the parents are dominant.
What does this mixed breed look like?
The Mini Australian Shepherd is characterized by its compact, small body and lively expression. Their appearance can vary depending on the mix, but they tend to inherit the size of the Miniature American Shepherd and the sturdy build of the Australian Terrier.
The coat care needs of this mixed breed dog depend on the individual coat texture, which can vary depending on inheritance. Generally, the coat tends to be medium-long and thick.
Weight and size may vary depending on diet, activity level, and genetic inheritance of individual dogs. However, they are generally found in the small to medium dog category.
Known Diseases
Hip dysplasia (HD)
Hip dysplasia (HD) is a genetic condition in dogs where the hip joint is not shaped properly. This leads to pain, stiffness and restricted movement.
Tartar
If dogs don't get a good food or sugary food, tartar can quickly appear.
Diabetes
The metabolic disease diabetes often occurs in overweight dogs.
Patellar luxation
Patellar luxation is the term used to describe a displacement of the kneecap, which is one of the most common causes of lameness in dogs.
MDR1 defect
The MDR1 defect is a defect in the MDR1 gene that can occur in some breeds of dogs and in humans. This results in the deficient or absent synthesis of a certain protein which is an important component of the blood-brain barrier, leading to hypersensitivity to some drugs.
Cataract
Cataracts are still one of the most common causes of blindness, even in dogs.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is a slowly progressive death of the retina in dogs.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA)
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is a hereditary disease of various breeds of dogs from the Collie family.
FAQ
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A Mini Australian Shepterrier is a cross between the two breeds that has a unique appearance, character and temperament. It is an active and intelligent hybrid breed, with a friendly and gentle nature.
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The size depends on the size of each parent breed and varies within the limits they set.
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This hybrid breed has a very active and lively personality. They are intelligent, curious and have a gentle and friendly nature.
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As with all mixed breed dogs, it is impossible to accurately predict whether they will be prone to certain health problems. However, with regular care and preventive examinations, health problems can be minimized.
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Being a very active and curious hybrid breed, this dog requires at least half an hour of daily exercise. It should be walked at least twice a day and needs sufficient physical and mental activity.