Toy Aussie: Your Complete Guide
The toy Australian shepherd isn’t an American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized breed, but that doesn’t mean this fluffy bundle of energy isn’t worth your consideration.
The toy Aussie is affectionate, lively, and boasts a brain that could rival even the great Sherlock Holmes. He makes an excellent family companion, especially for people who lead active lifestyles.
Most toy Australian shepherds grow up to 14 inches tall and weigh between 12 and 17 pounds. Today, we’ll take a close look at this gorgeous but widely misunderstood breed covering their history, care needs, temperament, and appearance.
A Quick Look at Toy Australian Shepherds
We’ll start with a quick overview of the toy Australian shepherd’s characteristics and needs.
| Weight/Height | Around 12 to 17 pounds, up to 14 inches tall |
| Coat Type | Straight to slightly wavy, double coat |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Loyal, intelligent, even-tempered, affectionate |
| 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 Toy Australian Shepherds?
Toy Australian shepherds are a size variation of the Australian shepherd breed. While they have not received official breed recognition from the AKC or the Royal Kennel Club (RKC), they have been around for decades. They were likely first selectively bred in the 1990s, when designer breeds surged in popularity.
Despite common misconception, toy Aussies aren’t the same as miniature Australian shepherds; toy Aussies only reach 14 inches tall, while miniatures can grow up to 18 inches.
Australian shepherds were originally developed in the western United States in the 19th century, not Australia as their name would suggest. They were bred to herd livestock for farmers and ranchers. Standard-sized Australian shepherds have been recognized by the AKC, and so have mini Aussies under the alternative moniker mini American shepherd.
What Do Toy Australian Shepherds Look Like?
As the name suggests, the toy Australian shepherd is essentially a pint-sized version of the Australian shepherd. He boasts an athletic build, triangle-shaped ears, and a medium-length double coat that comes in a range of colors and patterns. He also has a striking, piercing gaze.
What Size Is a Toy Australian Shepherd?
The toy Australian shepherd stands up to 14 inches tall at the withers and weighs between 12 and 17 pounds. Males tend to be larger than females, though the exact size can also depend on factors like genetics, health, age, diet, and activity level.
What Is a Toy Australian’s Shepherd Coat Type?
The toy Australian shepherd has a double coat that’s medium in length and either straight or slightly wavy. The coat consists of a weather-resistant, coarse top coat and a fluffy, dense undercoat.
Common coat colors include blue merle, red merle, black, and red, with some toy Aussies having white or tan markings.
What Is a Toy Australian Shepherd’s Temperament?
The toy Australian shepherd is a loyal, energetic, and affectionate pup who would do anything to please his favorite humans. He has a high work drive and loves being given a job, which makes him a great fit for activities like agility and herding.
While toy Aussies are sociable and devoted to their families, their strong attachment to humans does make them prone to separation anxiety. This is especially if they’re left alone for long periods.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Affectionate?
Toy Australian shepherds have their roots in herding, but that doesn’t mean they don’t appreciate a good cuddle when they’re not at work. They’re incredibly affectionate and often show their love through kisses, eye contact, and endless tail wags.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good With Kids?
The toy Australian shepherd gets along extremely well with kids, no doubt thanks to his nurturing, gentle, and patient temperament. However, do be aware that his high, bouncy energy level may startle young kids.
Due to his strong herding instincts, the toy Aussie also has a tendency to herd children and nip at their heels. Early training and socialization are crucial to keep this behavior in check.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good With Other Animals?
Toy Aussies get along well with other dogs, especially breeds that are similar in size and temperament.
However, they aren’t a good option for households with small pets. As we mentioned earlier, toy Australian shepherds have strong herding instincts and may try to nip and chase small animals.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Aggressive?
While toy Australian shepherds are rarely aggressive, their herding instincts can cause them to nip at peoples’ heels. It’s possible to curb this behavior with puppy classes, bite inhibition training, and redirecting the nipping by asking for alternate behaviors.
Do Toy Australian Shepherds Bark a Lot?
Toy Australian shepherds typically only bark when they’re bored, frustrated, or wanting attention. They may also bark in response to unfamiliar sights or loud noises. Training and ensuring they receive plenty of exercise and mental stimulation throughout the day, can help lessen barking.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Intelligent?
The toy Australian shepherd is one of the smartest dog breeds out there. He can pick up advanced commands effortlessly and excels in various canine sports, including agility, obedience, and flyball. The toy Aussie is also adept at problem solving and isn’t afraid to take the initiative if the situation calls for it.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Easy to Train?
The toy Australian shepherd is easy to train thanks to his intelligence, loyalty, and eagerness to please. However, he does have an independent streak and can get bored if the training isn’t mentally stimulating enough.
Toy Australian shepherds benefit from daily training sessions and should be taught new commands frequently to stave off boredom. Puzzle toys, canine sports, and other similar enriching activities can also help work out their brains.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Energetic?
Despite his small size, the toy Australian shepherd is extremely energetic and needs plenty of exercise to thrive. Most pups require at least 60 minutes of exercise per day in the form of runs, hikes, walks, and canine sports.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good Apartment Dogs?
While the toy Australian shepherd is small and even-tempered, he isn’t an ideal apartment dog. He has a lot of energy and benefits greatly from a backyard where he can roam freely throughout the day.
With that said, the toy Aussie can still comfortably live in an apartment if he is exercised daily and receives plenty of mental stimulation. Ideally, this would be in the form of training, games, and problem-solving activities.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good Watchdogs?
The toy Aussie can make a good watchdog since he has the natural instinct to guard and protect. He’ll often alert you to the presence of strangers, sounds that aren’t detectable to the human ear, and dangerous situations like fires.
However, do keep in mind that his small size (and endearing appearance) isn’t likely to ward off threats.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
The toy Australian shepherd is highly trainable, even-tempered, and loves having a job to do. He also performs well in high-pressure environments and is attuned to his owner’s mood changes and body language. Understandably, all these qualities allow him to excel at service work.
The toy Aussie is particularly great as a psychiatric service dog, therapy dog, and alert dog. However, his small size means he can’t help with mobility assistance or perform tasks such as crowd control.
How to Care for a Toy Australian Shepherd
Caring for the toy Aussie is no walk in the park — he’s a bundle of energy and requires plenty of mental stimulation to keep his mind sharp. However, if his care needs are met, he makes a loyal, loving companion who will stick with you through thick and thin.
Caring for a toy Australian shepherd also involves regular vet checkups, frequent grooming, and feeding him a diet that matches his energy level.
Do You Need to Groom a Toy Australian Shepherd?
Despite his fluffy coat, the toy Australian shepherd is relatively low maintenance on the grooming front. He only requires a brush, ideally with a slicker comb to conquer mats and tangles, once or twice a week, with a wash every few months.
The toy Aussie also usually wears down his nails naturally as he exercises, so you won’t have to trim his nails frequently, if ever.
It’s best to take a toy Australian shepherd to a professional groomer once every month to ensure his fluffy coat stays at a reasonable length. The groomer can also examine his skin closely for ticks, irritation, or other possible issues.
Do Toy Australian Shepherds Shed?
Unfortunately for your couch and clothes, the toy Australian shepherd is a heavy shedder. He sheds throughout the year and also experiences two heavy shedding periods (blowing his coat) in spring and fall. When he’s blowing his coat, you’ll need to brush his fur more frequently to remove trapped undercoat fur.
What Should a Toy Australian Shepherd Eat?
Most toy Australian shepherds require around 1 to 1.5 cups of food per day. Their diets should consist of protein-rich kibble that’s specially formulated for small, energetic breeds.
According to the Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO), adult dog food should have a protein content of at least 18% to help pups maintain lean muscle mass. However, since toy Aussies are extremely energetic, you should stick to kibble with a protein content of at least 25%.
What Health Problems Do Toy Australian Shepherds Have?
Toy Australian shepherds are relatively healthy pups, but their active lifestyles do make them prone to physical injuries and conditions such as hip dysplasia. Merle toy Australian shepherds are also more likely to suffer from eye problems and congenital deafness.
Other health issues toy Australian shepherds are commonly affected by include:
- Multidrug sensitivity: This is when a dog experiences severe, sometimes even life-threatening reactions to drugs. Multidrug sensitivity is caused by a mutation of the MDR1 gene.
- Epilepsy: A serious brain disorder that causes repeated seizures. Epilepsy can be managed with antiepileptic medication.
How Long Do Toy Australian Shepherds Live?
Most toy Australian shepherds lead long lives, with an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years.
However, some medical conditions, especially multidrug sensitivity, can significantly shorten these dogs’ lifespans. That’s why it’s vital you buy a pup from a reputable breeder who has done all the necessary health checks. This leads us nicely to our next point:
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Expensive?
Unfortunately for your wallet, the toy Australian shepherd is an expensive pup to buy. Most toy Australian shepherd puppies are in the region of $1,500 to $2,500, with the price depending on factors like age, lineage, breeder, and coat characteristics. Pups from reputable breeders with rare colors tend to sell for more.
The cost of caring for a toy Australian shepherd is around $70 to $120 per month on average, but this will ultimately depend on you and your pup’s individual needs. For example, you can expect to pay more if you require puppy sitting, dog walkers, and training classes.
How to Find a Toy Australian Shepherd Breeder
You can find a toy Australian shepherd breeder through the American Stock Dog Registry organization (ASDR). Their website has a dedicated breeding page that includes dozens of registered toy Australian shepherd breeders.
However, it’s vital you take the time to research breeders thoroughly — avoid any breeder that won’t provide you health certificates, a contract, or opportunities to visit the pups in person.
The AKC has an in-depth guide on how to assess whether a breeder is trustworthy. However, we’ve also compiled a list of questions that can help you weed out backyard breeders:
- When can I take the puppies home?
- How will you socialize the pups?
- Can I see the puppies interact with their mother?
- Are they weaned?
- Will there be a health guarantee and/or contract?
- Have the parents been screened for the necessary health conditions?
- Where have the pups been living?
Can You Adopt a Toy Australian Shepherd?
These pups aren’t commonly found in shelters, but you can reach out to Australian Shepherd organizations to find out if they have any toy Aussies available for adoption. Some organizations include:
- Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA)
- United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA)
- Australian Shepherd Association (ASA)
You can also get in touch with breeders through the ASDR — sometimes, owners unfortunately have to rehome toy Aussies and will return them back to the original breeders.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Purebred?
Most toy Australian shepherds have been developed by crossbreeding small miniature Aussies over a long period. Though, some breeders have also mixed these pups with other, pint-sized breeds as well.
The latter would technically make the toy Australian shepherd a “mixed breed” rather than a distinct size variation. For clarity’s sake, we’ll stick to considering the toy Aussie a size standard of the Australian shepherd. The ASDR also considers the toy Australian shepherd a purebred.
Are Toy Australian Shepherds Good for New Dog Owners?
The toy Australian shepherd is affectionate, loyal, and intelligent, but he’s not an ideal pup for first-time owners. He gets bored easily and his care needs can be difficult to manage. He thrives with an experienced owner who knows how to put his brain (and legs) to work.
Is a Toy Australian Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?
Welcoming a new pup into your home is a life-changing and wonderful experience, but it’s vital you choose a companion who is compatible with your lifestyle. You should also be able to meet the dog’s individual needs.
The toy Australian shepherd is the paw-fect friend for:
- People who lead active lifestyles
- Experienced owners who know how to manage high-energy, work-driven breeds
- People who can commit to daily training
- Individuals who are interested in dog-related sports like agility and frisbee
- People who don’t mind fluff everywhere and anywhere
The toy Australian shepherd isn’t suitable for:
- First-time dog owners
- People who don’t lead active lifestyles
- Individuals who don’t have the time or dedication to train a dog daily
- People who don’t want their homes covered in fluff
With this information and the rest of our guide, you can see for yourself whether you’re ready to add a toy Australian shepherd to your family!