Australian Shepherd Miniature Australian Shepherd Care

The Miniature Australian Shepherd may be a smaller version of the standard Australian Shepherd--but this breed's energy level, intelligence, and loyalty are just as pronounced as its bigger cousin. These small- to medium-sized herding dogs are lively and friendly, and are great as both working animals and as family pets. Overall Mini Australian Shepherd care won't require too much time and effort, but will need to include a good bit of daily exercise.

Here you'll find plenty of details on caring for a Mini Aussie: puppy care and development, exercise needs, diet and nutrition, and more are all covered. Get answers to your questions about raising a Mini Aussie in the following sections!

Like their larger Australian Shepherd counterparts, these dogs are quite energetic, so Miniature Australian Shepherd exercise requirements are pretty extensive. Mini Aussies will need a variety of activities that both condition them physically (walking, fetch) and stimulate them mentally (games, canine sports). They can be good jogging companions as well.

Specifically how much exercise do Mini Aussies need each day? Adults will require about an hour of dedicated exercise per day, with the total amount depending on the dog's age and overall activity level. You can start exercising your Mini Aussie puppy at three months old by going on short walks, then you can increase the walks' length and frequency as the pup grows.

Precautions with Mini Aussie exercise:

• Don't exercise puppies too hard before they're nine months old
• Strong herding instincts mean a leash is required when exercising in public
• Yards must be securely fenced to keep the dog from running off
• Possible separation anxiety; exercises best done together with people

Exercising your Mini Aussie every day is a must. Though they're friendly and good-natured, without consistent activity these lively dogs will become frustrated, disobedient, and destructive. Regular exercise will be great for both the dog's and your own peace of mind! Some exercise ideas:

• Walking/Jogging: Two 20-minute walks (or 15-minute jogs) per day is a good target
• Fetch/Frisbee: These dogs love chasing a ball, stick, or Frisbee
• Hide-and-Seek: Great indoor activity; give the dog a treat when it finds you
• Dog Park: If properly socialized, Mini Aussies enjoy the company of other dogs
• Canine Sports: These dogs can excel at obedience or agility trials, flyball, and other events
• Hiking: Excellent bonding activity

When indoors, giving your Mini Aussie access to balls or toys will allow the dog to burn excess energy. It's also good to have a regular exercise schedule for the dog, such as walks or jogs after breakfast and dinner and playtime in the afternoon.

In terms of shedding and drooling, these little dogs will need moderate care. Miniature Australian Shepherd shedding is seasonal: fair for most of the year, and heavier during the twice-yearly shedding seasons. Drooling isn't an issue.

Mini Aussies have medium-length, thick, double-layered coats that shed moderately most of the time--but when they blow their undercoats in the spring and fall, the shedding can be profuse. Owners can brush their Mini Aussies with a pin brush 2-3 times per week to help minimize the shedding (and to help keep the coats mat- and tangle-free), and hair cleanup--vacuuming the floors, and lint rollers on clothes and furniture--will be necessary from time to time. (Brushing and cleanup will obviously be required more often during shedding season.)

And these dogs rarely drool at all. If your Miniature Australian Shepherd is drooling excessively, that might be a sign of a medical issue, in which case a veterinarian's care is needed.

The Mini Aussie diet will need to include animal proteins, healthy carbs, vitamins, minerals, and omega fatty acids--nutrients every dog needs to maintain its health in the long term. This means the best food for a Miniature Australian Shepherd is premium dry kibble, as it has balanced portions of the above-listed ingredients. While some owners instead choose to feed their Mini Aussies a "raw" diet if fresh meats, veggies, eggs, and other protein sources, premium dry food is the most popular and sensible choice.

Adult Mini Aussies, depending on their size, age, and activity levels, will need about 2½ cups of premium dry food per day, divided into two meals. Mini Aussie puppy food portions are a bit smaller: again depending on age, about 1¾ cups per day, divided into three meal (not two) until six months of age.

For more info on feeding a Mini Aussie from puppyhood through maturity, see this feeding chart:

*--Around this time, transition to adult food by mixing in adult formula with the puppy formula, in slowly increasing amounts with each meal, for one week.

Try if possible to stick to the above-listed portions. If constantly overfed (and under-exercised), these dogs can become overweight--and a fat Mini Aussie will have numerous health problems and a potentially shortened lifespan. You can help control your Mini Aussie's weight by having consistent feeding and exercise schedules, by not feeding the dog table scraps, and by not leaving food in the dog's bowl all the time.

If you're worried your Mini Aussie is overweight, give the dog this simple test: run a hand along its side, and if you can't feel any ribs, it's diet time--which means less food and more exercise!

A majority of veterinarians, breeders, and owners agree that the best dog food for Mini Aussie dogs is premium dry kibble. This high-quality food, while more expensive, fulfills your Mini Aussie's dietary needs, and will go a long way in helping the dog live a longer, healthier, happier life.

Royal Canin, Blue Buffalo, and Taste of the Wild are recommended brands that carry excellent lines of premium dry food.