The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. The overall proportions of the head, length of the body, and height at withers should be in balance with each other.
Proportion
The ideal height at the withers for dogs is 18-20 inches (45-51 cm). For bitches the ideal height is 17-19 inches (43-48 cm). But, as with many things related to this breed, there is a lot of variation in size within the breed standard. Some dogs may be as small as 14 inches (35 cm) at the withers, while others may be 22 inches (56 cm) or more. There is no disqualification for height, as long as the dog is well-proportioned.
The ideal length of the body, measured from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, is just slightly longer than the height at withers. But again, there is a lot of variation within the breed, and some dogs may be much longer or shorter than this ideal.
Head:
The head should be in proportion to the body, neither too large nor too small. The expression should be that of intelligence and interest.
Eyes:
The eyes are medium size, almond-shaped, and set moderately apart. They should be dark brown in color; however, blue or particolored eyes are acceptable in certain color varieties (see below). The eye rims are black.
Nose:
The nose is black, except in certain color varieties where it may be liver or self-colored.
Ears:
The ears are medium in size, set high on the head, and should be triangular in shape. They should hang close to the head, with the tips pointing slightly forward.
Teeth:
The teeth meet in a scissors bite.
Body:
The body is compact, with a level topline and firm back. The chest is deep, but not too wide, and the ribs are well-sprung. The belly should be moderately tucked up.
Legs and Paws:
The legs are straight and of medium bone. The front legs are slightly sloping from the elbow to the ground, and the hind legs are muscular and well-angulated at the stifle. The feet are oval in shape, with well-arched toes. The pads are black and the toenails are usually dark.
Tail:
The tail is medium in length and is set high on the rump. It should be straight or may have a slight curve. It should not be docked, but maybe natural bobbed or natural long.
Coat:
The coat of the Miniature Australian Shepherd is double, with a soft undercoat and a coarser outer coat. The hair on the head and front of the legs is short and smooth, while the hair on the body and back of the legs is medium to long in length. The coat may be straight or slightly wavy, but should never be curly.
There are two acceptable types of coat:
- The “normal” coat type has a moderate amount of undercoat, and the outer coat lies close to the body. This type of coat is more common in warmer climates, as it does not provide as much insulation against the cold as the “heavy” coat type.
- The “heavy” coat type has a thick undercoat and a longer, more abundant outer coat. This type of coat is more common in cooler climates, as it provides better insulation against the cold.
Color:
There are four acceptable color varieties: black, blue, red, and liver (a.k.a. chocolate). Each of these colors may have white markings on the head, chest, and legs. The amount of white markings can vary greatly, from just a few small spots to large patches covering most of the body.
Patterns:
There are three acceptable patterns: merle, piebald, and solid (no white markings).
- Merle is a mottled or streaked pattern that can occur in any of the four colors listed above.
- Piebald is a white and color pattern that can occur in any of the four colors listed above.
- Solid is a single color with no white markings. This can be any of the four colors listed above.
Size:
The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be between 14 and 18 inches (35 cm and 45 cm) at the withers. There is no disqualification for height, as long as the dog is well-proportioned.
The ideal length of the body, measured from the point of the breastbone to the point of the rump, is slightly longer than the height at the withers. However, there is some variation within the breed, and some dogs may be much longer or shorter than this ideal.
Weight:
The Miniature Australian Shepherd should weigh between 20 and 40 pounds (9 kg and 18 kg). There is no disqualification for weight, as long as the dog is well-proportioned.
Consider the toyminiaussies website for Mini Australian Shepherd puppies
One of the things that you will want to consider before purchasing a Mini Australian Shepherd puppy is whether or not the dog will be a good fit for your family. The website provides a lot of information about the breed, including their energy level, which can be high. They also require a lot of exercises, so if you have young children or are not active yourself, this may not be the right breed for you.
Another thing to consider is whether or not you have another dog in your home. The website mentions that Mini Australian Shepherds get along well with other dogs, but they can also be dominant. If you have another dog in your home, you will want to make sure that the two dogs get along well before purchasing a Mini Australian Shepherd puppy.
If you are looking for a Mini Australian Shepherd puppy, the toyminiaussies website is a great resource. You will be able to find everything you need to know about the breed, including their energy level, exercise needs, and compatibility with other dogs. With so much information at your fingertips, you will be able to make an informed decision about whether or not a Mini Australian Shepherd is the right breed for you.
The website also contains a lot of photos of the puppies, which can help you get an idea of what they will look like when they are full grown. You can also see photos of the parents, so you can get an idea of the size and temperament of the puppies. All of this information will be very helpful in making your decision about whether or not to purchase a Mini Australian Shepherd puppy.
If you have any questions, the website has a contact form that you can fill out and submit. Someone from the company will get back to you as soon as possible to answer your questions. There is also a phone number that you can call if you would prefer to speak to someone in person.
