The dog musing/vent thread
- Thread starter Laurelin
- Start date
Sherman has made me realize how freaking much I want a puppy.
Just a puppy that I don't have to crate/rotate.
Please Abrams? Please like him at some point before his demodex clears? Please? (Alas...I honestly don't think it will happen. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. We did have another fun game of ball gag wrestling in the yard this morning where Abrams actually DID try to initiate play with Sherman, not just me. Sherman was just epic confused and instead tried to play tug with my hair. Ow.)
Just a puppy that I don't have to crate/rotate.
Please Abrams? Please like him at some point before his demodex clears? Please? (Alas...I honestly don't think it will happen. But maybe I'll be pleasantly surprised. We did have another fun game of ball gag wrestling in the yard this morning where Abrams actually DID try to initiate play with Sherman, not just me. Sherman was just epic confused and instead tried to play tug with my hair. Ow.)
In my experience the only difference between a standard Aussie and a Mini Aussie (if both are bred well) is the height. Originally, Mini Aussies/MASs were just small end Aussies bred down. So, both are pretty high energy, one is just smaller. 
That said, when I was still living with my parents, I was living with my own dogs, plus several of her MAS's and they're really not that hard to live with. Most of her dogs are perfectly fine being pets/light sports dogs and just having time out in the fenced yard to play.
That said, when I was still living with my parents, I was living with my own dogs, plus several of her MAS's and they're really not that hard to live with. Most of her dogs are perfectly fine being pets/light sports dogs and just having time out in the fenced yard to play.
In my experience the only difference between a standard Aussie and a Mini Aussie (if both are bred well) is the height. Originally, Mini Aussies/MASs were just small end Aussies bred down. So, both are pretty high energy, one is just smaller. That said, when I was still living with my parents, I was living with my own dogs, plus several of her MAS's and they're really not that hard to live with. Most of her dogs are perfectly fine being pets/light sports dogs and just having time out in the fenced yard to play.
That said, when I was still living with my parents, I was living with my own dogs, plus several of her MAS's and they're really not that hard to live with. Most of her dogs are perfectly fine being pets/light sports dogs and just having time out in the fenced yard to play.
Only issue would be getting along with the cat, I suppose, but it depends on the drive and some people have pulled it off. Something to look into.
The only thing that's ever really put me off the standard Aussie is potential for reactivity, and all that hair. But many MAS I've seen seem to have shorter or more moderate coats. Definitely one of those breeds where at least in appearance, I lean toward working lines.
Chomper gets along with my cat. He treats her like he treats other dogs, so, in turn - doesn't mean she quite likes him. He wants to play with her, but doesn't go after her like prey. She is crabby and sticks up to the dogs though, by giving them lots of whacks if they get on her nerves! Which he usually just sits there looking pitiful after from.
I would say that reactivity is about equal in minis and Aussies. Actual dog or human aggression I would say is more prevalent in minis. Coat thickness and intensity also sort of depends on where you get the dog from. I've met a few with more coat than my standard, and seen some pictures of MASs that may as well be overdone shelties. It really depends on the lines.
Agree with this about reactivity. As for aggression with people or dogs, the dogs my mother breeds, none of them have EVER had that issue, at least that people have told her about, and she is very involved with all puppy buyers for their entire lives.
As for cats, all of ours get along great with cats, no issues. And as for hair, agree with above, really depends on the breeding.
As for cats, all of ours get along great with cats, no issues. And as for hair, agree with above, really depends on the breeding.
My dumb neighbor doesn't pay attention to her small pug/dachshund mix that gets out of her yard EVERY DAY. Because he is low to the ground, cars can barely see him. I, quite frankly, will not be surprised if the poor dog gets run over one of these days. Cars honk at him to get out of the way, but the dog remains unfased. I have returned the dog to them repeatedly, but he continues to get out of their yard. Once he got out in the early morning and was almost ran over by the bus. Ugh.
ETA: The above puppy pictures do not help my puppy fever. Crying.
ETA: The above puppy pictures do not help my puppy fever. Crying.
