Teacup Australian Shepherds
The Standard Australian Shepherds have been bred to even smaller breeds: “Miniature”Australian Shepherds, “toy” Aussies and now “teacup” Australian Shepherds are quickly increasing in popularity due to their adorable appearance. With all the great characteristics of the original Australian Shepherd these dogs are much smaller in size.
Dynamite in a Small Package
Teacup Australian Shepherds are smaller than even Toy or Miniature Aussies. Teacups are under 10″ at the shoulder and weigh between 4 and 9 pounds. Toys are between 10″ and 13″ at the shoulder and weigh between 10 and 16 pounds. Miniatures are 14″ and 15″ at the shoulder and weigh between 18 to 30 pounds. Teacups really are the cutest though because of their adorable size. However, don’t let size fool you, Teacups are still very much herding dogs at heart. Ideally, these little dogs that have all the typical characteristics and traits of the Australian Shepherd: stamina, intelligence, agility and drive.
What Colors Should Teacups Be?
Color markings for all sizes of Australian Shepherds are the same. These colors are black, red, blue or merle — often mixed with a tan or white marking. “Merle” refers to a color pattern, a kind of speckling, not a color by itself. Merle dogs can come in a variety of colors. The only white marking that should appear on their face should be in a long strip that extends from the back of the head to the snout area.
Puppies born from two merle parents have a 25% chance of being “double merles” which means that most of their coat will be white. There is a high probability of such puppies being born deaf or having some eye defect, possibly blindness. This problem can occur in all size variations of Aussies. Reputable breeders should not breed two merle dogs.
The coat is typically composed of medium to long hair that is billowy and soft to the touch with the hair around their necks and on the backs of their legs slightly longer than the hair on their head or ear area. The ears of the teacup Australian Shepherd are floppy and soft.
A Herding Dog at Heart.
Affectionate and playful dogs, Teacup Australian Shepherds make marvellous companions for young children. They are also loyal and very protective and will bravely defend their small owners if they feel they are in any kind of danger. However, because Teacup Australian Shepherds retain their herding instinct they may sometimes try to herd children by nipping their heels. This can be avoided through appropriate training and socialization from an early age.
The Secret to a Happy Toy Aussie is to Maintain Respect and Exercise Regularly
You need to establish yourself as the alpha dog in your Teacups eyes to ensure that he learns to behave properly and not jump or bark excessively. Teacups are very devoted and loyal, but need clear guidance and strong leadership or they will try to become the dominant family member. If you follow this approach, Teacup Australian Shepherds are very smart and can be easy to train.
However, the key to having a happy and content Teacup Aussie is lots of exercise. Teacup Aussies love to cuddle and are wonderful additions to any home. With proper training and exercise, these small, intelligent dogs will become terrific companions for anyone.
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