Toy Australian Shepherd vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison

Toy Australian Shepherd vs Lurcher - Breed ComparisonToy Australian Shepherd is originated from United States but Lurcher is originated from United Kingdom. Toy Australian Shepherd may grow 39 cm / 15 inches shorter than Lurcher. Toy Australian Shepherd may weigh 23 kg / 50 pounds lesser than Lurcher. Both Toy Australian Shepherd and Lurcher has almost same life span. Both Toy Australian Shepherd and Lurcher has almost same litter size. Toy Australian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance. But Lurcher requires Low maintenance

History

toy australian shepherd - historyThese beautiful little dogs interestingly don’t originate in Australia. They were originally bred in the western U.S. as herding dogs.

Today they are mainly companion dogs. Their lineage goes back to a pair of sibling dogs - the Wildhagen Dutchman and Fieldmaster of Flintridge and these two dogs began the lineage to which the Miniature Australian Shepherd belongs.

Known also as ‘Aussie’, there are different stories to its exact origins. It is thought that some Basque farmers brought dogs with them when they came to Australia, taking them to the United States during the 1849 California gold rush.

The dog has been crossed with a number of breeds to bring about a dog that could cope with harsh temperatures.

lurcher - historyThe Lurcher is a crossbreed dog that doesn’t seem to have too much certainty around it. There are stories that Lurchers may have been bred to produce a sighthound with more intelligence for hunting.

Hunters discovered that breeding certain breeds with sight-hounds produced a dog better suited for hunting and working purpose.

A Lurcher is a sighthound, a classic working crossbreed and some of the dogs used to bring about this breed were Greyhounds, Deerhounds, Whippets, Border Collies, Bedlington Terriers and Irish Wofhounds among others. This means that the Lurcher has many different looks as well. In the UK, Lurchers have their own shows, but no registry recognizes the dog.

Description

toy australian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Toy Australian Shepherd, also referred to as the Mini- or Miniature Australian Shepherd is a small dog standing at between 26 - 36 cm in height and weighing between 3 to 9kg.

He looks very similar to the standard Australian Shepherd.

He has a medium-length, weather-resistant coat which is white with tan, black, red or blue merle. The coat is long, and slightly wavy with feathering around the legs and neck.

They eyes can be blue or brown or he can have two differently colored eyes.The tail of these dogs can be a natural bobtail or it is docked. They do shed but they don’t require that much grooming.

Temperament:

These playful little dogs may be small, but they are brave and full of courage. They’re also easy going, and love nothing more than to be around their human family.

They love the games that children play and are always ready to join in, making excellent playmates for children. Lively and alert, they also make good watchdogs and because they are so intelligent, they are easy to train and socialize.

Their intelligence means they need to be physically and mentally stimulated otherwise they can become destructive from sheer boredom. They’re full of energy and will require regular exercise every day.

lurcher puppy - descriptionIt is difficult to put a size and weight to the Lurcher, This is because of the many dogs used in his development, so that they vary in size and coat type. Generally though, he is a deep chested dog that stands roughly between 50 – 75cm and weighs 25 – 32kg.

However, because Whippet was a dog used in his development, he could be as small as a Whippet, the size of a Greyhound or Deerhound.

Generally he has a shortish coat. Colours of the coat vary greatly so you can find fawn, cream, white, grey, black, tan, silver or grey and bi-colored. The ears are usually small and can be floppy or held erect or back and the tail is usually long.

Temperament:

The Lurcher’s temperament is much like that of the sighthound – loving and calm. It is a good idea to have the Lurcher trained and socialized to help prevent both timidity or aggression.

He is an independent and intelligent dog and can be easily trained. He is a gentle dog and will get on well with children and pets in the home as he is a fairly relaxed breed with a quiet temperament, loving to spend time with his human family. Another advantage is that he is low maintenance and makes a great pet when shown love and care.

Characteristics

toy australian shepherd dog - characteristicsThe Toy Australian Shepherd is such a clever little dog and eager to learn too. You won’t have trouble getting him trained and socialized as he is eager to learn.

He bonds closely with his human family, becoming a loyal, devoted pet. They are also great playmates for children. They’re the kind of dogs that will require mental and physical stimulation if they are to to be prevented from becoming bored and frustrated.

They need social interaction with their human family and will be devastated if they were to be stuck in the backyard and all but forgotten.

They have a lifespan of 12 – 14 years and you want to make sure they’re happy, contented years, because he is wiling to play his part and make you a wonderful pet and companion.

lurcher dog - characteristicsThe Lurcher is a working- and hunting dog that won’t do well in the city, as he requires large spaces to run.

He is a dog that will need you to provide him with games and other activities as well as a walk every day to keep him fit and lithe. He will therefore require an owner who loves to be active and who is consistent, firm, fair, patient and kind.

With the right human family, the Lurcher is a loving, devoted dog who will make an excellent family pet.

Health Problems

toy australian shepherd puppies - health problemsMake sure your Toy Australian Shepherd sees the vet as a puppy to be dewormed and to get his first puppy injections.

Dental Disease:

Dental disease is far more serious than you think. It can affect other areas of your dog’s body. Plaque and inflamed gums lead to bone- and tooth loss.

Bad breath is a sign of periodontal disease. Find out from your vet what to do to guard against periodontitis. It’s important because ignoring bad teeth can lead to heart disease, with bacteria constantly entering the blood stream.

Parasites:

Fleas and ticks are your pet’s enemy as well as heartworm. Dogs can die from heartworm infestations. Heartworm is linked to mosquito bites, so if you live in warm areas, check with your vet for preventative measures.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is another common dog illness to watch out for. This is a painful condition where the hip joint isn’t formed properly and it can lead to terrible pain and lameness.

Skin Allergies:

Just like people endure endless misery with eczema, dogs too can develop skin allergies. They can create endless frustration and misery for any pet because of the terrible itch and pain. All the licking and scratching can lead to secondary bacterial infections too.

lurcher puppies - health problemsEvery dog has the potential to develop genetic health problems, but the way you feed a dog and look after it will play a huge role in his wellbeing.

Lurchers are looked upon as being a pretty healthy dog breed and they can be with you for between 10 and 15 years.

Some of the main health concerns with this dog would be bloat, ear- and eye infections or heatstroke.

Remember that if you’re getting a new puppy, you can prevent some of the major life-threatening diseases by having your puppy vaccinated.

Heat Stroke:

Dogs pant heavily when they’re hot. When the panting isn’t enough, the dog’s body temperature rises and this can be fatal for your pet.

The signs of heatstroke in dogs include vomiting, diarrhea, dullness and loss of consciousness. Being locked in a hot car, being over-exercised or left in a yard without shade and water can bring on heatstroke.

It is imperative to remove the dog from the hot place immediately and cool him down by spraying cold water gently over him while making sure no water enters the mouth or nose. Get him to the vet if you can because of shock and the fact that other problems could have developed.

Caring The Pet

Diet:

toy australian shepherd dogs - caringYour puppy will need 4 small bowls of food a day. If you’re wondering just how much, either speak to your vet or follow the portion-guide on the packaging of the puppy dog food.

As your puppy grows older, you feed less frequently so that he is getting two meals a day as an adult. For feeding an adult, there are excellent commercial dog foods available - remember to choose a good brand for your dogs age, size and energy levels.

Try and give him some tasty home-made food too from time to time – nothing exotic and spicy – just plain foods such as boiled chicken, brown rice, spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots. Dogs thrive on simple, healthy food like this. Make sure he always has a bowl of cool, fresh water to drink.

Exercise:

These energetic little bundles of fur will need regular exercise – every day in fact. He’s a smart little dog too, so you need to provide him with stimulating games that will keep his mind and his body physically fit.

Grooming:

Reduce shedding and loose hair by brushing the long hair a least twice a week. This will also help to get rid of matting. Trim nails and check for fleas and ticks.

General:

Provide your Toy Australian with a warm, dry, peaceful place to sleep. If he is outside often, make sure he has both sun and shade to lie in as well as a sheltered spot for when it rains.

lurcher dogs - caringBrush your pet’s coat at least twice a week.

The Lurcher just loves to run and be free, so this is a dog that will want a long walk every day.

Check his eyes and inside his ears for ear infection. Find out how to clean inside the ears and make sure they are kept dry.

Keep his nails clipped, as long nails can hook and cause painful injury to the paw area. Check his teeth too and brush them because dental disease is the root cause of many other diseases.

Make sure your dog has a comfy, dry, warm place to sleep.

Encourage health and longevity by giving your pet high quality food full of vitamins and minerals. If you’re going be giving him commercially manufactured food, make sure its one of the better ones. Try and add in homemade food such as boiled chicken, brown rice and vegetables and add this to his kibble as a tasty treat. Some raw meat added in when you can afford it will also be to his advantage.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Working dog
Origin:
United States
United Kingdom
Height Male:
26 - 36 cm
10 - 15 inches
50 - 75 cm
19 - 30 inches
Height Female:
26 - 36 cm
10 - 15 inches
50 - 75 cm
19 - 30 inches
Weight Male:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Weight Female:
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
25 - 32 kg
55 - 71 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 13 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
2 - 6
3 - 8
Size:
Small dog
Large dog
Other Names:
Aussie, Mini Australian Shepherd
None
Colors Available:
White with tan, red or blue merle, black
white, grey, cream, black, tan, All colors - fawn, silver or grey and bi-colored
Coat:
Medium length, weather resistant coat
Short- or long haired
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Samoyed vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison
  2. Presa Canario vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison
  3. Mackenzie River Husky vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison
  4. Pyredoodle vs Lurcher - Breed Comparison
  5. Lurcher vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  6. Lurcher vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  7. Lurcher vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  8. Lurcher vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  9. Lurcher vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  10. Lurcher vs Alaskan Malamute - Breed Comparison
  11. Lurcher vs Bullmastiff - Breed Comparison
  12. Lurcher vs Great Pyrenees - Breed Comparison
  13. Lurcher vs Boerboel - Breed Comparison
  14. Lurcher vs Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  15. Lurcher vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison
  16. Lurcher vs Argentine Dogo - Breed Comparison
  17. Lurcher vs Giant Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  18. Lurcher vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  19. Lurcher vs Belgian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  20. Lurcher vs Goldador - Breed Comparison
  21. Lurcher vs Bandog - Breed Comparison
  22. Lurcher vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) - Breed Comparison
  23. Lurcher vs Dogo Cubano - Breed Comparison
  24. Lurcher vs Dogo Sardesco - Breed Comparison
  25. Lurcher vs Beauceron - Breed Comparison
  26. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  27. Toy Australian Shepherd vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  28. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  29. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  30. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  31. Welsh Corgi vs Toy Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  32. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Pomeranian - Breed Comparison
  33. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  34. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Pug - Breed Comparison
  35. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  37. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  38. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  39. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  40. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  41. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  42. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  43. Toy Australian Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  44. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  45. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Miniature Schnauzer - Breed Comparison
  46. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  47. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  48. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Papillon - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds