 | ||||||
T O Y A N D M I N I A T U R E A U S T R A L I A N S H E P H E R D S
B O O T T O P A U S S I E S
Cindy & Jim Shaykett
20319 490th Street - Lake Mills, Iowa 50450
(605) 390-5914
email: Cindy@BootTopAussies.com
*Website & Graphic Design by Kari Sipes
A l l R i g h t s R e s e r v e d
I have included this page of information for those of you who are not familiar with the Toy or Miniature Australian Shepherd. Maybe you have admired one from a distance and thought it was a beautiful dog, or have run across them on the Internet trying to decide what breed you would like to bring into your life but have never been around many Toy or Mini Aussies. The information on this page should help you make the correct decision of this is the breed for "YOU".
If I do not answer your questions below, or if you would like to discuss them in more detail, please give me a call or click on the e-mail address above, let me know what your questions are and I will respond.
When trying to decide on a breed for yourself, or a family, there are many different things to consider. Often many will take the advice of a friend that says "I have a ??????? and he/she
is the best dog I've ever had! You should get the same breed!"
Those people have obviously made the correct decision for their lifestyle and personal tastes. Be sure and compare your personal tastes and lifestyle before jumping into someone else's favorite breed. Make sure the breed that you choose fits "YOUR" personal tastes and lifestyle.
The most important piece of information that I can give you is to never forget that regardless of the breed, the puppy will only have as good of traits as the other dogs in his/her pedigree, and the care the breeder gives it the first 8 weeks of life. There are good and bad temperaments and different energy levels in every breed! I have dedicated another page to
CHOOSING YOUR BREEDER.
On that page I go more in depth into questions that you need to be sure and
ask any breeders you are interested in purchasing a puppy from.
The character and temperament of the Toy & Miniature Australian Shepherd, regardless of the size variation, is that of a herding dog. Most Aussies do not adapt well to a sedentary lifestyle. If you like to come home from work and just plop on the couch with the remote, this is not your breed. If you are looking for a dog that has a high intelligence level to be a major "partner" in your life that you can truly interact with, that is the Aussie. Many Aussies live on farms or ranches and thrive on the mental and physical stimulation of helping with morning chores However, there are many, many that live in cities. No matter where you live; your Aussie will be happiest to live with you. Australian Shepherds do not do well living a sedentary lifestyle. They thrive on mental stimulation and most will not be happy as a kennel dog. They need social interaction with their owners. Toy and Mini Aussies make excellent house dogs with appropriate exercise. The background of the energy level of the dogs in the puppies pedigree will be a good clue as to the energy level your puppy will have. This varies from bloodlines to bloodlines. Be sure you discuss the energy level of the dogs the breeder has that you are purchasing your puppy from. You can learn more about this on the
CHOOSING YOUR BREEDER page.
Mental exercise is as important to an Aussie as physical exercise. This is a very intelligent breed. If you, and/or your family are looking for a dog that you can take hiking, camping, to the kids softball games, etc. this is a good breed to choose. If you have such a busy schedule that there is just not time to regularly allow him/her to "go along" you are more than likely better with a breed that does not care as much about your companionship. Aussies want to be a part of your life. They are just to smart to "lay around" for too long. This is not to say that an Aussie can't be left alone. On the contrary, a well balanced Aussie is happy to wait for you to come home. He/she will just want to know all about your day when you get there!! If you do own an Aussie and leave him home most of the time and all that he/she socialized with is you and/or the other people living in the household this breed can become wary of strangers. If you like letting your dog jump in the car an ride along for companionship on a regular basis you will find that they will love meeting new people. There is no such thing as a part-time Aussie. If as Aussie is the breed you choose, you must understand that you have to dedicate time and energy to establish your relationship with a intelligent, high drive dog. To have harmony living with an Aussie, you must build a relationship based on a mutual foundation of love, respect and trust. Contrary to popular opinion, most dogs will not exercise themselves when turned out in the back yard by themselves - regardless of how big their fenced in area may be. Most Aussies will sit at the door and wait for their owners to come out and play with them. Much will depend on your dog's overall physical and mental health and individual energy level. A good rule of thumb to go by is the more intelligent the breed, the more interaction they will be asking for from their human family members.
Aussies always want to know what is going on, and how can they be in the middle of it, do it with you, or do it for you. Whatever they can do to interact with you and make you happy. Their willingness to please their owners is the part of the herding instinct that attracts many people to the breed who have no intention of their dog every even seeing a sheep or a cow.
Owning an Australian Shepherd, regardless of the size variation, can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. The bond can become more strong with this breed than many others because of the intelligence level they carry.
Their ability to communicate, and their desire to communicate with you creates this special bond. However, because of his level of intelligence, proper training is a must or you risk the chance of your dog outsmarting you! Puppy Socialization, then Puppy Obedience classes are highly recommended. Just like young children, highly intelligent dogs also need to learn manners, rules, and where the line is drawn. They are easy learners and if done correctly LOVE to learn! A smart dog of any breed LOVES to learn. The warning is if you don't teach him the rules, he will get bored and make his own, then the tug of war of who's rules are going to be followed begins and the dog usually outsmarts the owner and makes a game of it....usually at the owners expense. Again, this is not just Toy or Mini Aussies, but any smart dog of any breed. The amount of work involved in training your young pup and helping mold him/her into an adult is rewarded ten times over by having such a smart companion. There is a difference between just a pet, and a companion. It's the smart ones that become your companion. It is IMPORTANT that your methods of training are correct for this breed. Be sure you take some classes with your puppy to make sure you are on the right track. Their desire to please their owners makes them sensitive to tone of voice and facial expressions.
If you have never looked an Aussie in the eye, you're in for a treat the first time you do!
I hope this information has been helpful.
Please keep in mind the Toy & Mini Aussie will live 12-15 years.
I will be happy to visit with anyone who has questions.
It doesn't get better than a GREAT Toy or Mini Aussie in a GREAT Home!!
If you decide this is the breed for you
and we do not have any puppies for
sale when you are wanting one
I can gladly refer you to another
reputable breeder.
Is a Miniature or Toy Australian Shepherd
the right breed for you, your family & your lifestyle?
Please do your research before you make a commitment
to bringing a dog into your family.
You are welcome to give me a call with questions at: 605-390-5914
or you can also contact me by e-mail at: Cindy@BootTopAussies.com
Mini vs Toy
over 14" vs under 14"
Mini Female: Pockets Kiss Me Quick
Toy Female: Pockets Heir To Glory
In our breeding program we breed both Mini's & Toys.
You will find equal excellent temperaments, herding instinct, high intellegence, and breed type in both size variations. Here at Boot Top Aussies our goal is to produce Minis & Toys with all of the wonderful traits of the Standard Aussie, just in
smaller packages to fit everyone's individual lifestyles.
Miniature
Toy
Miniature
Toys
Boot Top's Tonka Tuff
