Teacup Australian Shepherds - Is This the Dog For You?

The American Stock Dog Association recognizes three sizes of Australian Shepherd: standard, miniature and toy. The very smallest of the toy variety are known as "teacup". The breed standard requires that all three sizes of the Aussie live up to the typical Australian Shepherd character traits of being a herding dog of high intelligence, versatility and trainability.

Size Matters

Miniature Australian Shepherds should be a maximum of 18 inches tall measured at the withers. They can weigh up to 40 pounds but smaller Miniature Aussies can weigh around 25 to 30 pounds. The Toy Australian Shepherd on the other hand, should be a maximum of 12 inches high at the withers and should weigh a maximum of 13 pounds. Ideally, breeders should be producing dogs that have all the typical characteristics and traits of the Australian Shepherd: stamina, intelligence, agility and drive.

Are Teacup Australian Shepherds poorly bred dogs?

The American Stock Dog Association recognizes three sizes of Australian Shepherd: standard, miniature and toy. The very smallest of the toy variety are known as "teacup". The breed standard requires that all three sizes of the Aussie live up to the typical breed character traits of being a herding dog of high intelligence, versatility and trainability.

Size Matters

Miniature Aussies should be a maximum of 18 inches tall measured at the withers. They can weigh up to 40 pounds but smaller Miniature Aussies can weigh around 25 to 30 pounds. The Toy Aussie on the other hand, should be a maximum of 12 inches high at the withers and should weigh a maximum of 13 pounds. Ideally, breeders should be producing dogs that have all the typical characteristics and traits of the Australian Shepherd: stamina, intelligence, agility and drive.

Are Teacup Australian Shepherds poorly bred dogs?

There is some controversy around the miniature and toy variations of the breed. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the two smaller sizes as Australian Shepherds and some breeders argue that the miniature and toy sizes are substandard dogs with poor genetics. However, it is well known that even in the standard Australian Shepherd bloodlines smaller sized puppies are often born. This is probably due to the fact that the origin of the breed is a melting pot of a number of dog breeds, including some very small collies.

In addition, it must be remember that all breeds of dogs have evolved from breeding particular sizes or types and an exact breed "standard" can sometimes lead to diminishing intelligence and other qualities because the focus is on the look or size of the breed. However, there are unscrupulous breeders who won't look for quality dogs to breed with and rather just aim to create "stunted" pups and sell them as teacups or toys. Such breeders are to be avoided and you should also avoid buying toy dogs from petshops as they often come from "puppy mills" where little attention is paid to the health of the breeding dogs.

Good breeders of Toy and Mini Aussies will continue to use the pure standard Australian Shepherd bloodlines in order to ensure that the character of the Aussie stays true to the breed. There are several Miniature Australian Shepherd and Toy Australian Shepherd Associations in the United States which help to maintain the integrity of the breed. It's good to ensure that your breeder belongs to one of these.
What Are the Characteristics of Teacup Australian Shepherds?

The Teacup is a very compact and athletic dog suitable for city living. However, this doesn't mean it can be left alone and unexercised. They are highly intelligent and easily trained, so they need to be occupied. They suit families or individuals with an active lifestyle.

In all cases, don't simply get a dog for its 'Cute" factor, but ensure that you can offer it a loving home and are prepared to accept responsibility for exercising and training it. In the end you'll be rewarded with a wonderful pet.

Pet Sale Regulations Vs Pet Ownership

Where do you go if you wanted to acquire a pet dog? Your current options are: the nearby pet stores, the rescue or animal shelter, or check out the morning paper or the internet for resources. Or ask a dog-owner friend for referrals. If you are in San Francisco your options may be limited. Soon.

The San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare will discuss a proposed ban on the sale of dogs and cats, and a host of other small animals, including birds and fish. The proposed ordinance provides that in San Francisco people could acquire pets "of all species" only through pet store adoptions, direct retail sale by small breeders, or adoption from shelters or animal rescue organizations. All other pet sales, including by pet stores, would be completely prohibited.

To pet owners and dog lovers, the difference between pet store adoption and pet store sale may be just a question of semantics. Or maybe price. So call it adoption, not a sale. Problem solved.

Not that easy. Because businesses are involved. The proposed ban on pet sale impacts a business that nationally generated $2.16 billion in live animal purchases in 2009. It is estimated to have grown to $2.21 billion in 2010, according to a 2009-2010 National Pet Owners Survey by the American Pet Products Association (APPA).

As the pet sale business grows, so do the issues and problems arising from pet over-population and unwanted animals. The proposed ban is expected to stop the sale of dogs and cats from puppy mills and decreasing euthanasia rates of other small animals in city shelters.

It is easy to get carried away by so-called national statistics on animals that go in and out of shelters, or those that are euthanized. Supporters of pet sale ban also cite the big cost to the taxpayer in rounding up, housing, killing, and disposing of homeless animals. Recent cost figures cited are almost equal to the business generated by the live animal purchase industry. But it is just as easy to lose the trail in verifying the real source of these statistics. The reality is there, however: it costs taxpayer money to address these problems.

While the issue is being addressed in San Francisco, it is not an isolated problem. Local and state agencies across the country -- Los Angeles, New York, Vermont, Pennsylvania, and Hawaii, for instance -- are faced with the same problems and are proposing similar or related initiatives controlling pet sale and ownership. And while the problems are being addressed on the local and state levels, the outcomes will have nationwide, even global, impact because of the nature of the pet sale business itself and the internet.

The Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), a non-profit service-oriented organization based in Washington D.C. and comprised by members of the pet industry and people who care about pets, is vigilant about government control and regulations. In San Francisco, the PIJAC has campaigned against the ban in multiple meetings after the proposed ban was introduced last year. PIJAC believes in re-homing adaptable animals, not limiting the availability of pets to the public, to solve the shelter issue. And pet retailers have committed to re-home adoptable animals from shelters, a commitment which the local council deems is not the answer.

PIJAC supports the right of individuals to responsibly own pets and to have the options as to where to get them according to their preference. It also maintains that pet stores provide healthy, responsibly raised pets to the public and should be an option, and that the public should not be discouraged from pet ownership by imposing costly and burdensome government restrictions.

While the issue in San Francisco is divided between the local government agency and animal rights groups on one hand and PIJAC and its supporters on the other hand, the pet owners sector has a role to play. In the case of pet dogs, what is responsible dog ownership? Where does it start? Does it start with simply wanting a dog and getting one from wherever is convenient or where the price is most affordable? Or does it stretch as far back as to where the dog comes from and under what conditions it was bred? And does that responsibility stretch far into the future with regards to their commitment to having a dog?

Responsible pet ownership then starts the moment you decide at having a pet. But right now, if you are in San Francisco, whatever options you have hang in the balance. If you have strong opinions about this issue, you can let the San Francisco Commission of Animal Control and Welfare know. If you are outside of San Francisco, the same issues could be in the corridors of the animal welfare commission near you. Ultimately your action may be the factor that will tip the balance -- for or against the proposed ban.