Aspen Mini Aussies
Traits and Characteristics
"By my heritage, we are a herder and a guardian. Sometimes our instinct to herd can be mistaken as "meanness" when we are trying to herd other animals and/or children.​
Nipping at the ankles is not an uncommon trait in young Aussies with a herding instinct, but it is easily discouraged with a gentle shake and an "ah-ah" sound. Aussies, properly trained and socialized, make wonderful companions; we are highly intelligent, loyal, affectionate, and protective of our property and our human family. Our high spirits and eagerness to please make us easy-to-train dogs who will generally show great enthusiasm for learning new things and being challenged on a daily basis. Aussies excel in the show ring, trial arena, and obedience ring, and we can be wonderfully athletic agility and fly ball dogs. Our high energy makes us a serious candidate for lots of daily exercise and play. Aussies are generally good with children and other pets, although we usually try to keep the "herd" together! With strangers, Aussies can be aloof and show reserve but this should not be taken as shyness; we are generally just keeping an eye on things and making sure that the new person is acceptable before making them a friend. As a rule, if you, as our owner, tell us the person is acceptable, we will accept your word for it. Once an Aussie makes a friend, they are a friend for life.
Miniature and toy Australian Shepherds have all the same attributes as the Standard Australian Shepherds, including excelling in herding, agility, conformation, obedience, tracking, as a therapy dog, and as an active, intelligent companion.
They also have the advantages of small breed dogs. They are the perfect size to jump up in your lap and be a lap dog. They can jump in your truck and easily travel to stay with you on the road.
Mini Australian Shepherds weigh between 15 to 35 lbs at maturity, and they range from 14" to 17" in height at the withers. Toy Australian Shepherds are 14" and under and weigh 8 to 18 lbs. They have blue Merle, red Merle, black or red tri or bi coat colors, with some variations. Most toy Australian Shepherds and miniature Australian Shepherds have copper and white trim. Their eyes may be blue, brown, hazel, and green -- both of the same color, one of each, flecked, or marbled.
The disposition of these small breed of dogs is calm and confident but suspicious of strangers. The toy Australian Shepherd and mini Australian Shepherd are entirely devoted to their owner and will go to great lengths to please; they are easy to train."
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-Adapted from J Bar T Ranch
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Aussie Temperament
"Australian Shepherds are an intelligent, medium-sized dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. They are also delightful and loyal companions and great family dogs. They love to be part of the daily hustle and bustle and enjoy riding in the vehicle just to be with their beloved master. As farm dogs, they diligently carry out their responsibilities, be it bringing in the stock or finding the stray one that got tangled in the brush. They are easily trained and housebroken because they are intelligent, eager-to-please dogs. Aussies have been used as seeing-eye dogs, utility dogs to the physically handicapped, dog hearing aids, police and narcotics dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs. In northern areas, they have also been used as sled dogs. Many go with their masters as volunteers to children's homes and nursing homes to do therapy work. Truly, the Australian Shepherd is a highly versatile dog. "Aussies" (as they are lovingly nicknamed) are very active dogs that need a great deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent them from becoming bored or frustrated and consequently developing destructive habits. Because of their high energy level, combined with high intelligence, Aussies need to be given a "job" to perform, be it shepherding the children, protecting the house, herding livestock, or competing in dog events. One of the most frequent reasons Aussies get turned over to rescue groups is that their owners didn't anticipate how energetic these dogs are and weren't willing or able to constructively channel that energy through training. Aussies want to be with their owners all the time, which is why they insist on following their owners from room to room in the house. They love nothing better than going along in the car or truck on errands. Aussies can be highly territorial and protective of their masters' possessions, potentially causing serious difficulties unless this behavior is controlled with proper training."
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-Adapted from the United States Australian Shepherd Association
"Adult Australian Shepherds that have been properly socialized and trained can usually handle nearly anything life throws at them but in a way different than many other breeds. Reserve with strangers turns into, "I am not everyone's best friend, and I won't act that way." Adult Aussies often ignore strangers and are slow to change the classification from "stranger" to "friend." Do not expect your Aussie to be the Will Rogers of dogdom, "never met a stranger..." Treasure your Aussie's loyalty to you and your family members. Do not allow others to force unwanted affection on him. Respect his nature, and allow him his dignity."
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-Adapted from Canyon Creek Aussies
"I am Australian Shepherd"
