Aussie Shep People

[Simply Grand]

Google also tells me there are people breeding "toy" Aussies - 10-14". Seems like the "point" of breeding them smaller is just to allow/encourage people to have them in smaller homes.

People who know more than me - is it unusual to have so many dogs with 2 clear blue eyes? (the dogs shown on the linked breeder website all seem to have this, and they specifically mention 'blue eyes' as well as their coat colouring). Might they be breeding for blue eyes?

[Dame Aussie]

Anyone know how small they actually are? There's such size variation in Aussies anyway and (I think) the standard says that size shouldn't be penalized over other aspects anyway, although I guess if the minis are Sheltie sized that's quite a big difference.

Tlc, reading that website you linked, my Aussie must be broken They say that Aussies are reserved with people, loyal to their owner and protective of their property. Quinn loves absolutely everybody, throws herself at strangers for kisses and pats, would happily go off with anyone if they gave her food or had little kids, and welcomes strangers on the property as new friends... Sigh.

14-18"

Not all aussies are reserved and many aussies these days have been bred to have the friendlier temperament. Mine will alert bark. Due to extensive socialisation most of mine love every body but I do have 1 who is reserved with strangers until she decides they can be friends.

This is my girl. She doesn't like being touched by strangers and can be very reserved meeting new people.

Does seem unusual that all their dogs have both blue eyes. Mine is Merle and she has one half blue eye but I don't think either of her parents had blue eyes.

Edited September 10, 2012 by Aussie3

[Simply Grand]

That's interesting, these reserved Aussies, could they have a word with Quinn? Hehe.

Actually I think I've just forgotten because Quinn is SO full on, so is her sister Cleo and Jessie, the other Aussie we see regularly at the park. I don't remember wuffles' Ava being so enthusiastic about people, Quinn's mum Ivy either, and actually her brother Donkers (haha), who we did puppy school with) wasn't either... I just got lucky I guess *rolly eye man* (I adore Quinn's personality but jeez I need to watch her).

I guess I sort if think if you want a small, collie breed dog with a fluffy coat, loyal, reserved, alert temp, then get a Sheltie... On the other hand my Sheltie and my Aussie have different temps and I wanted more what I got in Quinn in an Aussie.

Disclaimer - as with everything I say this is based on my limited experience :)

[Simply Grand]

Yeah, and the eyes, all the merles in Quinn's litter have marbly eyes, I think Quinn has the most distinct clear blue and that's only one eye and it still has a spot of brown. I've seen others with 2 full brown eyes but don't know about blue.

[poocow]

Both my Aussies are very friendly - will go up to anyone for pats. But as Kia said they will alert bark if they hear someone come to the front door etc. Saying that if an intruder walked into the house they would probably forget that they were barking at them and just run up for pats

[teekay]

There did seem to be an over abundance of blue eyes. I would guess that was intentional as I'm sure blue eyes are trendy. Never seen blue eyes in a Tri before but I'm new to the whole Aussie world anyway. I must say the red tri looks stunning but you can only see her face.

Does anone know how they are breeding the minis? Did they just select the smaller Aussie and breed from them, or are they actually crossed with something to make them smaller?

It is hard to get an indication of size from the pics on the website. I'd like to see one next to a standard Aussie.

[wuffles]

Simply Grand - As a pup, Ava was a little flirty social butterfly with anyone and everyone, including dogs. Once she hit about 18 months she decided she was a big girl and is now reserved around strange people and dogs. She is also very, very protective.

But put her in a group of people/dogs she knows and she reverts to the flirty social butterfly :)

[Kia]

A lot of merles will have blue in the eye be it a full, half, marbled. But that is due to the merle gene and not every merle will have blue in their eyes.

The blue eyed tri's on the other hand is due to a recesive gene...both parents must carry a copy to produce it. Sometimes they will only have 1 blue eye but the eyes are a solid blue not half or mabled.

In America some breeders charge extra for the blue eyed merles and tri's.

As a breeder I have lost count of the number of people who are wanting a blue eyed merle....because of the random nature of the merle gene we often don't know what we will get.