The popularity of miniature dogs is growing as more people live in suburbia or city apartments. Many large breeds have been tweaked to produce smaller versions of the standard size. If you're interested in mini Australian shepherd puppies OK, there are some precautionary steps in the selection process.
The first step is to evaluate the needs of the animal in light of your lifestyle. If you live in an area where leash laws are strict, you might not want a dog bred for hunting. Some dogs do well with daily walks, while others really need room to run. A dog with strong territorial instincts won't do as well in a crowded neighborhood as one who loves everyone.
Aussies are known as all-purpose dogs. They have herding instincts, great intelligence, and a desire to please that makes them valuable on working ranches. These same qualities help them excel in agility, herding, or obedience trials. The minis are said to have lost none of these valuable traits; they are perfectly willing to herd animals many times larger than they are but perhaps are safer working under controlled conditions.
Playing with children is one thing they excel at. They love to be in the center of activity, and basic training helps these intelligent, eager-to-please animals conform to any interactive situation. They need weekly brushing of their thick coats, vigorous exercise for their muscular frames, and a sense of purpose in their life to be really happy.
Before you meet a litter of engaging minis, choose a reputable breeder. You'll want to see the parent animals, if possible, but definitely the mother. It's really hard to evaluate things like disposition and adult size in a wiggly little puppy, but meeting the parents can give you a good idea of what to expect. At a pet store, you usually see only the puppies without much background information.
There're other factors that enter into a decision that involves a lot of time, energy, money, and emotion. Aussies, like most other purebreds, suffer from genetic defects. You should ask for health records on both parents as well as a certificate of health for the puppy you're interested in. Any reputable breeder will give you a grace period after you take the puppy home, so you can get your own vet to perform an examination. Conditions like hip dysplasia and patella deformity are painful for the animal and distressing for the owner. Allergies can cause serious skin problems, heart defects might shorten the animal's life, and seizures are terrifying. Birth defects in the eyes and oral cavity are other tendencies in this breed.
Many breeders belong to local and/or national associations and adhere to a professional code of ethics. You can check online for credentials and to learn what pros think is important for both breeders and owners. You may be asked to 'qualify' for ownership and to sign a legally binding agreement to return the animal if you are unable to keep it for life.
For a partner in work and play who will also be your best friend, check out mini Australian shepherd puppies OK. With sufficient caution before you select a puppy, you can have a healthy pet to love for many years.
The first step is to evaluate the needs of the animal in light of your lifestyle. If you live in an area where leash laws are strict, you might not want a dog bred for hunting. Some dogs do well with daily walks, while others really need room to run. A dog with strong territorial instincts won't do as well in a crowded neighborhood as one who loves everyone.
Aussies are known as all-purpose dogs. They have herding instincts, great intelligence, and a desire to please that makes them valuable on working ranches. These same qualities help them excel in agility, herding, or obedience trials. The minis are said to have lost none of these valuable traits; they are perfectly willing to herd animals many times larger than they are but perhaps are safer working under controlled conditions.
Playing with children is one thing they excel at. They love to be in the center of activity, and basic training helps these intelligent, eager-to-please animals conform to any interactive situation. They need weekly brushing of their thick coats, vigorous exercise for their muscular frames, and a sense of purpose in their life to be really happy.
Before you meet a litter of engaging minis, choose a reputable breeder. You'll want to see the parent animals, if possible, but definitely the mother. It's really hard to evaluate things like disposition and adult size in a wiggly little puppy, but meeting the parents can give you a good idea of what to expect. At a pet store, you usually see only the puppies without much background information.
There're other factors that enter into a decision that involves a lot of time, energy, money, and emotion. Aussies, like most other purebreds, suffer from genetic defects. You should ask for health records on both parents as well as a certificate of health for the puppy you're interested in. Any reputable breeder will give you a grace period after you take the puppy home, so you can get your own vet to perform an examination. Conditions like hip dysplasia and patella deformity are painful for the animal and distressing for the owner. Allergies can cause serious skin problems, heart defects might shorten the animal's life, and seizures are terrifying. Birth defects in the eyes and oral cavity are other tendencies in this breed.
Many breeders belong to local and/or national associations and adhere to a professional code of ethics. You can check online for credentials and to learn what pros think is important for both breeders and owners. You may be asked to 'qualify' for ownership and to sign a legally binding agreement to return the animal if you are unable to keep it for life.
For a partner in work and play who will also be your best friend, check out mini Australian shepherd puppies OK. With sufficient caution before you select a puppy, you can have a healthy pet to love for many years.
No comments:
Post a Comment