Need advice!

[jami03]

I am very new to forums period, and even newer to this one....just to forworn you! In a week my husband and I are getting our first dog! A Miniature Aussie! Anyone have any ney parent advice or breed advice??? Even cute stories would be nice! Thanks so much!

Jami

[sammy101]

Hi!Welcome to PT,my kids are in my signature. I've never owned an Aussie so i dont really have much experience with them.The ones i've met were great dogs.I've never met a miniature Aussie either.Where are you getting your pup from?

[Suki Wingy]

I am pretty sure they started off as a totally different breed that happened to look like mini aussies and then that name was taken after some BYBers decided they could make money but now it is an actual breed. http://www.mascaonline.org/ I think someone on this board has a friend who breeds them

[jami03]

I am getting him from a breeder in Missouri. Timberline Kennels is the name ( www.timberlinekennel.com ) From what I have read they are great dogs. I am going to school to become a professional trainer and he will be the dog that goes through everything with me. We are just new to puppies and new to the breed! Thanks for responding!
Jami

[wolfsoul]

I am pretty sure they started off as a totally different breed that happened to look like mini aussies and then that name was taken after some BYBers

North American miniature Aussies came from purebred Aussies -- they just bred them smaller and smaller rather than adding any other breeds into the mix.

We have a miniature Aussie in our agility club. Very smart and active dogs. Not for me though, I'll stick with my Belgians and catahoulas.

[Karen]

Hide your shoes! And anything else that's within chew-height! Lids for trash cans, or hide them away ... Gosh, I've told this here before, but when our first St. Bernard that my family had when I was a kid was teething, she chewed one of each of my pairs of shoes because I'd get careless and leave my closet door a smidge ajar. Stock up on plenty of okay-to-chew things, how old will the pup be when he comes home? Are you planning on crate-training him? Are you home during the day, or do you both work?

Be prepared to take lots of pictures, as people here will beg for them and they grow so fast it's hard to believe!

[jami03]

The shoes tip is taken into account!!! He will be 8 weeks old when we get him and yes we are planning on crate training him. Until school starts I will be home during the day, and when school starts he'll start too! So I am hoping that will help a couple of carelessly plassed pairs of shoes anyway! Thanks!

Jami

*Here's a picture of him now.......Everyone.....Meet Paz!

[lv4dogs]

I am pretty sure they started off as a totally different breed that happened to look like mini aussies and then that name was taken after some BYBers decided they could make money but now it is an actual breed. http://www.mascaonline.org/ I think someone on this board has a friend who breeds them

Actually they are not an actual breed. Yes they have their own kennel club introduced in 1996 the MASCA, Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America but a lot of so called "breeders" of designer breeds are making up their own kennel club just so they can make more money.
The mini aussies are NOT recognized by the ASCA (australian shepherd club of america), The United States Australian Shepherd Association, the AKC nor are they reccognized by any other club or organization.


I know quite a few people that have one (or 2). They have their ups & downs and because they are not actually a breed the health/behavior problems may vary & specific genetic health problems are not known for sure yet. Of course it doesn't help that a lot of them are bred by obviously bad examples of the Aussie breed (all mini aussies are is Aussies that were born too small due to some health or genetic problems, they just kept breeding & breeding them until they are all small) I do know that the most common health issues are but not limited to:
eye problems, dry eyes, stained eyes caused by excessive watery eyes.
They are also known for almost any joint defect due to their forced smaller size including but not limited to hip AND elbow dysplasia, as well as luxating latella, OCD, ACL, and back problems.

As far as their behavior goes they are not too much different from the Aussie at all. They are VERY smart, VERY active & VERY independant therefore they need to keep busy otherwise they may start to find a job of their own which may include some undesired behavior. A lot of people misunderstand this behavior as stubborn (as seen in many other breeds too) but they are just independent thats all. They love a good challenge and if you don't provide them with one they will find some sort of challenge for you. And socialization is key. They can be very loyal & protective therefore they can sometimes be standoffish to strangers.
I'd suggest getting him out there as much as possible to socialize him and at least one obedience class is a must for any breed, especially for herding dogs, terriers & the like.
Here's a good site that explains the Aussies behavior (similar to a mini aussie) a little more in depth. aussie behavior

Jami, I am sorry, I don't mean to rain on your parade but I just want the truth to be out there and thought I would share my experience with you. Just like any dog you chance getting one with health issues & the like. You just have to be careful & do your research about what traits are found in the breed(s). Congrats on your new puppy. I can't see his pic but he sounds like a cutie. I hope to see more of yous around here & wish you good luck.

[jami03]

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I did some research on several breeds before I chose and the breed that fits with our family the best are the Aussie's......Thanks so much for telling the truth about what you know (lv4dogs ) I appreciate it all! Especially more specifics on the differences between the Miniature Aussie's and the regular Aussie's. We can't wait to bring him home! Thanks again!!!

[lv4dogs]

Thanks to everyone for all the help! I did some research on several breeds before I chose and the breed that fits with our family the best are the Aussie's......Thanks so much for telling the truth about what you know (lv4dogs ) I appreciate it all! Especially more specifics on the differences between the Miniature Aussie's and the regular Aussie's. We can't wait to bring him home! Thanks again!!!

I'm glad you didn't take it the wrong way.
I couldn't see the pic you posted of him, I looked on the breeders website to try to find him but I didn't see any male puppies that were already sold. I'm sure I'll see him before long though. lol What color is he? I love his name.

Aussies really are great dogs. I'm sure you'll enjoy his company. I finally got my dream dog... an Aussie earlier this year, my baby Kaige in my sig. He's 6 months old now and the light of my life.

[Bonny]

Make sure the parents are not both Blu Merles. That is a no no in breeding Aussies. Also make sure your pup has a dark colored nose. Sometimes they have the pink nose & that can get sunburned & sore. A solid colored black or brown nose is best. The eyes should be even in size & the pupils dilate like they should. Also make sure your pup has good bone substance, that is thickness of the bones especially in the front& hind legs. Check the paws for any deformities. My Australian Shepherd is a standard size. He came from two blu merle parents. At the time I didn't realize that was a no no. He had one eye that was smaller then the other, a pink nose, & I later found a deformed claw on his hind foot. I went back to the stupid back yard breeder & told her not to breed the two parents ever again & she went & allowed the dogs to breed again. This breed of dog is so sweet, willing to please, loyal, & very athletic. My shepherd was a pet pal & visited care facilities. The residents would throw a tennis ball & he would catch it & gently drop it back into their cupped hands. They are wonderful family pets but need a lot of exercise too. Best of luck to you in finding your pup.

[lv4dogs]

Make sure the parents are not both Blu Merles. That is a no no in breeding Aussies. Also make sure your pup has a dark colored nose. Sometimes they have the pink nose & that can get sunburned & sore. A solid colored black or brown nose is best.

Great points but actually any merle should not be bred to any other merle, not just blues.

A dark colored (black or brown) nose is just as good as a liver colored nose (can be light brown), but yes, pink pigment on the nose or eyes is not that good, like you said they can be prone to sunburn.