Confetti Australian Shepherd: Your Complete Guide
The confetti Australian shepherd is a newer mixed breed, and this dog is a cross between the Australian shepherd and the miniature schnauzer. The confetti Australian shepherd is known for being smart, social, and active, and these dogs are suitable for a number of different family dynamics.
If you are planning on adding a confetti Australian shepherd into your life, it’s important to understand all you can about this breed, including how to properly take care of them.
Our article gives you an overview of the confetti Australian shepherd and details what this dog looks like, their temperament, their activity levels, and other important factors that you should consider before adopting one of these unique mixed-breed dogs.
Quick Look at the Confetti Australian Shepherd
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 12 to 23 inches, 15 to 30 pounds |
| Coat Type | Short to medium length, coarse, wiry, or straight |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Playful, friendly, stubborn |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence | |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years |
What Is the History of Confetti Australian Shepherds?
The confetti Australian shepherd is a relatively newer dog breed, and the exact history of when this dog was bred isn’t known. This breed is a combination of the Australian shepherd and the miniature schnauzer, a mix that results in a dog that is intelligent, loyal, and social.
Because there are no breed standards for these dogs, they may exhibit a perfect fifty-fifty mix of traits from their miniature schnauzer and Australian shepherd parents, or they may look and act more like one parent over the other.
In general, these dogs are very active, and they will often carry traits from their parents such as a propensity for herding. Your confetti Australian shepherd will need to receive plenty of exercise, and they typically benefit from regular training to ensure they stay mentally stimulated.
It’s important to note that while you might find a confetti Australian shepherd in a shelter or rescue, these dogs are not incredibly common around the United States. Instead, you may need to work with a breeder that specializes in confetti Australian shepherds, and this breeder may be a fair bit away from your location.
What Do Confetti Australian Shepherds Look Like?
A confetti Australian shepherd will look like a mixture of the miniature schnauzer and Australian shepherd, often exhibiting traits from both parents. These dogs will be small to medium-sized, and they will have coarse, somewhat wiry hair, though this hair may be a little straighter if they take more after their Australian shepherd parent.
Your confetti Australian shepherd will typically have floppy ears, an elongated muzzle, and the signature beard of a miniature schnauzer. Their coat color may be single color, but bi-color and multi-color in common miniature schnauzer or Australian shepherd patterns are also common.
What Size Is a Confetti Australian Shepherd?
The confetti Australian shepherd will range in size from small to medium, depending on the size of the parent dogs and which parent they take after more. In general, more dominant Australian shepherd traits will result in a slightly larger dog, while dogs that take after their miniature schnauzer parents tend to be more compact.
What Is a Confetti Australian Shepherd’s Coat Type and Length?
The confetti Australian shepherd will typically have coarse or wiry hair that is short to medium in length. This hair may be a little smoother or straighter if they take more after their Australian shepherd parent, though you can expect their fur to need quite a bit of maintenance to stay looking and feeling its best.
What Is a Confetti Australian Shepherd’s Temperament?
The confetti Australian shepherd is an alert, energetic, and intelligent dog, and this breed tends to be fairly social and playful. You can expect your confetti Australian shepherd to learn quickly and need plenty of training for mental stimulation, otherwise they may become bored and destructive around your home.
In general, this dog will fit well into a family dynamic, and though they can be somewhat stubborn or willful at times, they will still be friendly, loving, and overall eager to please their owners.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Good With Kids?
The confetti Australian shepherd may be good with older children, as they generally need to be around children who know how to interact with them properly and aren’t too loud or rough with them.
These dogs can be a little stubborn and independent, and they are usually not afraid to show their feelings if a child is doing something that they don’t approve of. The confetti Australian shepherd may also have a strong herding instinct that may cause them to knock small children over by accident as they attempt to corral them.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Good With Other Animals?
The confetti Australian shepherd may be a good choice for living with other animals, and they typically get along well with other dogs and even cats in some cases. However, these dogs may be a little temperamental and energetic, and this could lead to chasing behavior for prey animals or for animals that are smaller than them.
You should always monitor your dog’s interaction with other animals, especially smaller dogs and cats to ensure they get along well before you consider leaving your confetti Australian shepherd alone with another animal.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Aggressive?
Confetti Australian shepherds are not known for being aggressive, though these dogs can be somewhat independent and stubborn. This may result in willful behavior or activities like growling and barking if they don’t like the way things are going.
However, proper training and lots of mental and physical stimulation will generally curb those behaviors, and your confetti Australian shepherd will not feel the need to act out. Overall, you can expect these dogs to be both friendly and social.
Do Confetti Australian Shepherds Bark?
The confetti Australian shepherd barks around average, and they tend to use their voice more when they are trying to make their feelings or opinions about something be heard. These dogs have strong personalities and they are fairly active, and they may also bark when they are playing or attempting to get attention.
This may be a problem for those living somewhere with noise restrictions, but with proper training and lots of activity to expend their energy, these dogs can have their more vocal natures curbed so that they only bark when totally necessary.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Affectionate?
Confetti Australian shepherds are typically fairly affectionate with their owners, and they develop strong and loyal bonds. These dogs will generally be eager to please their owners, and they love spending as much time as possible at their family’s side.
Whether or not your dog is a true lap dog depends on their personality, though most confetti Australian shepherds will enjoy being pet and showered with affection.
Due to their herding and more protective instincts, these dogs may be slightly distrustful of strangers at first, but they may easily learn to accept someone once they have met them a few times and been shown the person is not a threat.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Intelligent?
The confetti Australian shepherd is known for being curious, alert, and intelligent. These dogs are highly observant, and they learn fairly quickly.
Your confetti Australian shepherd will likely need lots of mental stimulation in the form of training and playtime, and they can turn to destructive behavior if they are not given enough outlets for their energy and intelligence. Regular training sessions are recommended if you are going to own this breed.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Energetic?
The confetti Australian shepherd is an active and energetic dog, and you will need to be able to commit to their exercise needs if you wish to own one of these pups. Your confetti Australian shepherd will need at least two to three lengthy walks per day in addition to one or two hours of dedicated playtime.
Ideally, you will be able to provide your dog with a fenced-in backyard for them to play in, and you can take them to a dog park weekly to allow them to socialize and play with other dogs.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Easy to Train?
In general, the confetti Australian shepherd is an easy breed to train due to their need for mental stimulation and how intelligent they are. However, this breed can have a stubborn streak, and they may need patience and lots of motivation to ensure they properly learn the tasks you are asking of them.
These dogs may be able to learn more complex tasks, and they can sometimes be a good fit for agility training depending on which parent they take after more – Australian shepherds tend to be the best candidates for agility training or other high-energy training options.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Good Watchdogs?
The confetti Australian shepherd is alert and protective, and they are fairly brave when it comes to protecting their owners. These dogs do make good watchdogs, and they are not afraid to bark and alert their owners to a potential threat if they spot one. These dogs aren’t overly aggressive, however, and they will likely not be the best if you need a livestock guardian dog or a dog that could act as a personal protective dog.
Are Confetti Australian Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
The confetti Australian shepherd may be a good option for a service dog depending on their size and the work that you need them to do.
If your dog is on the smaller size, then they might not be the best choice for work such as mobility support. However, these dogs can be great guide dogs, medical alert dogs, or psychiatric service dogs.
You can potentially train your own confetti Australian shepherd to complete the tasks you need help with, or you can adopt a confetti Australian shepherd that has already been trained to complete disability-related tasks and provide you with service dog assistance.
How to Care for a Confetti Australian Shepherd?
The confetti Australian shepherd is fortunately not too high maintenance of a breed, and you will likely be able to properly care for this dog even if this is your first pup.
The most important thing with your confetti Australian shepherd is providing this dog with enough mental and physical stimulation to keep them happy. Regular walks, lots of time spent running around outdoors, and time spent socializing in a dog park are all great and necessary options for this breed.
At home, you should make sure that your confetti Australian shepherd has their own bed, toys, and food and water bowls, and that they always have access to fresh water. Training is usually necessary for this breed to keep them happy and focused, and you shouldn’t leave your confetti Australian shepherd alone for too long, as this can result in anxious or destructive behavior.
Feed your confetti Australian shepherd a healthy diet based on their size and activity levels in addition to taking them for regular veterinary visits; annual vet appointments help ensure your dog is healthy and can potentially catch health issues before they become too serious.
Do You Need to Groom a Confetti Australian Shepherd?
Your confetti Australian shepherd will typically have higher than average grooming needs due to their coarse and wiry hair. You will need to brush your dog two to three times a week, and they will need to visit a professional groomer for a trimming and to keep their distinctive beards in shape every couple of months.
You can bathe your dog at home but be sure that you properly brush out their fur, use deshedding shampoo when necessary, and ensure that their ears are clean and nails are clipped to keep them feeling and looking their best.
Do Confetti Australian Shepherds Shed?
The confetti Australian shepherd is not known for being hypoallergenic, and they shed about an average amount. You can expect this dog to shed more during shedding season, and regular brushing and trips to the groomer can help keep fur around your home to a minimum.
What Health Problems Do Confetti Australian Shepherds Have?
Similar to many dog breeds, the confetti Australian shepherd may have certain health issues that they are more prone to due to genetics. In the case of the confetti Australian shepherd, they may have health issues inherited from their Australian shepherd parent or their miniature schnauzer parent.
Common health problems to keep an eye out for in your confetti Australian shepherd include:
- Elbow and hip dysplasia
- Cushing’s disease
- Dermatitis
- Hyperthyroidism
- Eye problems
- Mitral valve disease
Proper care, a good diet, and routine veterinary visits can help you ensure your confetti Australian shepherd stays healthy for as long as possible.
How Long Do Confetti Australian Shepherds Live?
Your confetti Australian shepherd will live between 12 and 15 years old. Good care and genetics have a lot to do with your dog’s lifespan, and making sure they are as healthy as possible can help them live the happiest and longest life.
What Should a Confetti Australian Shepherd Eat?
The confetti Australian shepherd will need between one and three cups of a high quality wet or dry food each day depending on their size and caloric needs, in addition to the caloric content of the food you are feeding them.
It’s important to feed your confetti Australian shepherd the right amount of food to ensure they don’t become obese or underfed. If you have questions or concerns about your confetti Australian shepherd’s diet, you should speak to a veterinarian.
Is a Confetti Australian Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?
The confetti Australian shepherd is a unique mixed breed dog created with a combination of the Australian shepherd and the miniature schnauzer. These dogs are social, intelligent, and active, and they are the right dogs for families with older children, individuals who love to be active, and those who want a companion for all of their outdoor adventures.
If you adopt a confetti Australian shepherd into your life, make sure that you are ready to provide them with the care, exercise, and training they need to live a long, happy life at your side.