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What Is The Difference Between A Mini Australian Shepherd And Australian Shepherd

by Pattie
(Odessa,FL)

We're considering adding an Australian Shepherd to our family and was wondering if there is a difference between a mini and standard shepherd.


Note from Anton: Australian Shepherds and Miniature Australian Shepherds (Miniature American Shepherds) are considered separate breeds. More information here.




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What Is The Difference Between A Mini Australian Shepherd And Australian Shepherd

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Mini Aussie / Australian Shepherd
by: Nonnie

As Anton mentioned - these are two different breeds. I really don't understand why, but that is not important. Either dog will be a wonderful, loving, energetic, intelligent, charming, possessive companion.

We have two Aussies - one mini and one toy. This is our second toy. We lost our first one a week before her first birthday due to gastrointestinal hemorrhage. It was awful.

Our mini is 16" at the shoulders and weighs 30 lbs. She is a blue-eyed, blue merle frisbee fanatic!! She is amazing! Our toy is 13" at the shoulder and 20 lbs. She is a brown-eyed, black tri. She cares nothing about frisbee or any other type of retrieving. She likes to watch her half sister chase the frisbee and anything else that can be thrown.

Good luck with your Aussie - I hope that whichever breed you choose, you will find many Aussie owners who will love and praise your puppy. Luckily we have had that - it takes the bite out of the others.

While at the Aussie Rescue booth at the dog show last year we were very rudely told that our Aussies were not real Aussies. Completely changed my feeling about rescue groups. This year when we went to the dog show, we had dozens and dozens of compliments on our Aussies.
Either Or
by: Anonymous

I had a "standard" Aussie and he lived to be 5 years of age due to epilepsy. I loved him dearly. We now have a toy Aussie, he reminds me so much of my Luke, but just a lot smaller. I agree with the person before me, they are so similar, except for size. I know they say they are NOT the same breed, (I've read the articles) but honestly, I don't see how that's possible.
decide what you want as far as size, and why, and go with that. best to you.
Difference in Standard & Mini Aussies
by: Anne

The main difference is height. Any female under 18" is considered a mini, any male under 20" is considered a mini.
To answer the other aussie owner owner's comments about the difference is......
In order to get the so-called "toy" size, there were other breeds introduced into what was a "mini" aussie. That is why it is a separate breed. There were also, other breeds introduced to get the "mini" breed established faster, and that is why it is a separate breed. The standard aussie is the background for both breeds, and I believe the "mini" has more of the standard aussie blood in it than the "toy".
I breed standard aussies but have had 2 so called "runts", never make the standard height.
They were still aussies, just "small" aussies. The "minis" came from breeding the smaller standard aussies together.
The DNA testing for our standards is a good indicator of several different genetic markers.
One is determination of breed.
I don't know, since I don't breed them, if the
registries for "minis" and "toys" require DNA testing. For ASCA & AKC it is required for our standard Aussies.
Hope that helps clarify the difference for you.
Feel free to research it on your own.
~Anne

Anne Calmes
Gold Ring Aussies
Louisiana, USA
goldringkennel@aol.com

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