toy aussies/teacup aussies

[milos_mommy]

yep. you heard right. TEACUP aussies. 7 pound AUSSIES.

they have a national breed club and everything. it says they're trying to maintain the aussie temperment and traits, and the breeders assocatied with the club get opthamology tested and some other tests. think it's legit? and do you think when people bred shnauzers down, so many years ago, did the dog lovers of the world think it was awful?

i want one, but i would never get one from a breeder. i always wanted an aussie, and a female dog. but i know i can't have a big dog right now because in a few years i'll be moving out of my parent's house, into an apartment. so a mini or toy aussie seems like a good choice. if one shows up in a shelter here or in NC (where i'm relocating to this summer) i would probably take it.

then again, if a breed like this, a newer, rarer breed, shows up in a shelter, wouldn't that mean more potential health problems?

[Cassiepeia]

Honestly I wouldn't trust anyone who adds the term 'teacup' to a breed name. I see no problem in adopting one from rescue and I think the "more potential for health problems" should be put down to being from bad breeders rather than just being a shelter dog (perhaps that's what you meant anyway?).

Cass.

[otch1]

I would reccommend against them, if you truly love the Aussie breed. I've met many of the miniatures, have a friend who breeds them. I have an Australian shepard at home with me, belonging to a family member. I keep my opinion to myself on my friend breeding minis, as staying friends is more important to me. Their temperament really isn't the same and while there's no such thing as a "teacup" Australian shepard, I can only imagine the problems that will arise if these dogs bred down like this start becoming popular.

[BostonBanker]

and do you think when people bred shnauzers down, so many years ago, did the dog lovers of the world think it was awful?

Didn't the three Schnauzer breeds develop independently?

I haven't liked the mini-Aussies I've met, but I've only met a couple, and I have no idea what sort of breeders they were from.

I know a couple of "standard" sized aussies that are tiny; if you really want an Aussie, I bet you could find a breeder whose dogs tend to be on the small size of the standard.

[Jynx]

I also have met quite a few mini aussies that have more "oompf" than some standard sized aussies, I could live with them.

The toys and teacups are in my opinion, really pushing the envelope,,I've seen a couple of the "toys", and sorry, they have snipey heads, they throw in pomeranian and other small breeds to really downsize them.

There are so many "standard" aussies out there that are SMALL, that's what's cool about standard aussies, you'll find a variety of colors and a variety of size. I know someone who shows aussies, and every once in awhile she'll get one that will top out at 15 inches!!! Obviously can't use for "show" in standard ring, even tho they are pretty lax on the size thing for overall, a 15" in the conformation ring probably isn't going to cut it..

Diane

[sam]

We've been through the topic of mini aussies and what the drawbacks are of selectively breeding to miniaturize at least twice in the last couple of months.

If I was better at it/knew how, I'd post a link to the threads for you . Lots of good points were made by many people.

[RD]

If you want a 7 lb dog with high drive and athleticism, why not get a Papillon? I fail to see what these "toy Aussies" are accomplishing, they're certainly not a herding breed anymore.

[Bahamutt99]

I'd like to see a picture of a toy Aussie.

[Laurelin]

I'd stick away from teacup anything... They have 'teacup papillons' which is ridiculuous because the papillon standard has no minimum size to it. They're usually just very small dogs many times with health issues.

The toy aussies to me don't look like aussies at all- http://www.cityslickersranch.com/guys.htm. Especially the really small ones like Nite. They almost look shelte/pom to me...

And then Tuffy- http://www.toledotel.com/~smokeyvly/aussie.html

I guess I don't see why this is necessary especially with smaller herders already available (shelties?) and then as Grace said a very drivey toy dog is the papillon. (Wow, I sound biased here LOL)

I don't see anything wrong with adopting one, but I'd want to research exactly what goes on with the downsizing and what are the 'average' breeding practises of toy aussie breeders just so I knew what I might be getting into...

[Momof2Pups]

A toy aussie? It's not like you can send a 7 pound bundle of fur on some sheep. Not really an aussie at all. They are cute, though.

http://members.aol.com/ruffhouseaussies/images/suzy%20face%201.15.05.jpg

http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/images14/ToyAussieShepherdPB290314.JPG

Some info and more pics here (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/miniatureaustralianshepherdphotos.htm). (Has some mini aussies and toy aussies)