Teacup Australian shepherd--12lbs!!!

[catnapper]

Funny I was reading this thread this afternoon..... and met one tonight. I swear it was simply a large long haired chi.

What knocked me over was what she said "oh I plan on breeding her this summer" The manager and I jumped on that one and asked her why. Her answer: because the breeder asked her to and that the breeder has 20 of them throughout the country. IDIOT!

[scrain2329]

She doesn't meet AKC requirements, or look like just like the typical Aussie.
She is boss of my 90 pound lab, and my horse is still scared of her when she gets to barking on his heels during my ride. She just sits in the middle of the arena and watches. makes sure everything is okay if he acts up she is up and on him getting him to move forward. Yes i realize this isnt the safest thing, 6 pound dog, 1200 pound horse... you cant stop instincts! she chewed the tie i had her on just so she wouldnt have to be tied up... just in case mom needed help!
She has more aussie traits than her grandma haha.

I agree, it is sad that the breeders are breeding them just for the size...
My little one she was just that weird little runt which happens, i wish that this cross designer breeding would stop... It isnt right, or fair because people dont realize what they are getting into, and no way am i defending potential buyers or promoting the breed, just... chatting I guess. Going to the shelter was what I really wanted. With all my heart, but after the lose of my short hair, she was there looking at me, and I was told 'all yours'.

R.I.P. Maddie-moo, we miss you

[Karen]

I am glad your little one, runt of the litter and all, has a home where she is treasured and adored. I am glad you are not planning to breed her just because she's the runt, and you could get a smaller dog of of her. Every dog should have a good, loving home. I disrespect people who make "designer breeds" just for the sake of money, and without any acknowledgment of the characteristics and problems of the breed, or the breed mix.

Treasure your baby, give her a kiss for all of us, okay?

[wigglebutts]

Well this is my first post ... I just have to put my 2 cents in .. I have standard ,mini,toy,& teacup aussies all from aussie stock not a midex breed ...
I would post pictures of all of them but can't see anywhy to do so.
yes I am a breeder and don't cross my aussies with anything but another aussie. My little teacup is not petrified she herds goats along with the big dogs . She doesn't know she is only 8" tall ...
A dog that is petrified is not socialized right .. it really has nothing to do with the bred its the breeder or owner ...
Ok off my soapbox ..
Y'all have a good night

[Albino]

I personally ADORE the toy aussies. A GOOD one looks just like an australian shepherd, just smaller. Heavier bones are favorable, toyish look is actually a severe fault and is punished heavily in shows. Bulging eyes, tiny bones, these things aren't favorable. They are also supposed to behave just like an aussie, have a strong herding instinct, pretty high energy, just like a normal aussie. There are some BEAUTIFUL toy aussies out there, and I don't think they're a corruption of the aussie breed, I think they're wonderful. A properly bred one is all aussie in a 12" package. They're obtained through selective breeding of smaller dogs, not by crossing them with anything. And a good breeder will ALWAYS try to make their dogs look as aussie as possible, and not sacrifice conformation and personality for size. When breeders start trying to breed them smaller than 10 inches, you do start seeing more toyish features and they look more like papillions, but that is considered faulted, since they are supposed to be bred to look like aussies as much as possible. Hate me as much as you want, I personally adore them.

Also, let me just say about the breeders, from what I've seen, they love their dogs as much as anyone else. Its not like every breeder is a puppy mill just out for money. There are some really wanting to breed quality dogs who will do well in the show ring, agility, herding, and just being a family pet. They make sure the dogs go to quality homes, not just somewhere that they'll be abandoned. They care about their dogs. Not every breeder is just making some novelty for a quick buck. I'm not even a breeder, and never will be, but even I'm a little offended by how many people think that just because someone breeds a dog that they aren't concerned about the health of the puppies. Yeah, there's some out there who aren't and who are just greedy, but there's still such thing as good breeders.

Just out of curiosity, were you guys this outraged when they started shrinking the poodles to toy sized?

Seriously, you guys are acting like these dogs are some kind of monstrosity or something. For a community that is supposed to love dogs, I'm kinda surprised to read this thread.

[Karen]

Seriously, you guys are acting like these dogs are some kind of monstrosity or something. For a community that is supposed to love dogs, I'm kinda surprised to read this thread.

It is not like anyone thinks these dogs are the monsters. We - along with you, I am sure - think people who are irresponsible breeders are the monsters, not considering anything but their own pockets. Breeding a small dog to another closely related small dog just because of size, and ignoring other congenital issues the dogs may have ... Not checking for hip, eye, and other problems ... it is not a dog's fault how he or she is born, but in some cases problems can be avoided if folks take care.

All breeders are not irresponsible. There are great, responsible breeders out there. They are who I respect.

[shepgirl]

I'm not saying these dogs are monstrosities but their health problems just might be in the long run. I think only people interested in the almighty $$$ would breed something like this...and we all know there was no health checks done either.
Just because someone owns a dog doesn't mean it should be bred and just because someone thinks their dog is special doesn't mean it should be bred...that's the BYB way of looking at things.
I feel sorry for these poor pups.

[mr.chiwawa]

My mom ALWAYS told me if I don't have anything nice to say keep my mouth SHUT!! Which is what I am going to do....GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR RRRRRRRRRRRRRRR