Welsh Sheepdog vs Toy Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison

Welsh Sheepdog vs Toy Australian Shepherd - Breed ComparisonWelsh Sheepdog is originated from United Kingdom but Toy Australian Shepherd is originated from United States. Welsh Sheepdog may grow 20 cm / 8 inches higher than Toy Australian Shepherd. Welsh Sheepdog may weigh 16 kg / 36 pounds more than Toy Australian Shepherd. Both Welsh Sheepdog and Toy Australian Shepherd has almost same life span. Welsh Sheepdog may have more litter size than Toy Australian Shepherd. Welsh Sheepdog requires Low maintenance. But Toy Australian Shepherd requires Moderate maintenance

History

welsh sheepdog - historyThe Welsh Sheepdog is sometimes referred to as the Welsh Collie, but it is not a collie in anyway. It is the cross between the Border Collie and Welsh Sheepdog that is actually the Welsh Collie. The sheepdog was bred for herding not appearance and they are not all consistent in looks and size. They are a collie type but do not have recent collie ancestors. In fact the Border Collie has basically replaced the Welsh Sheepdog in herding sheep in Wales. The Welsh Sheepdog is still being bred as an indigenous breed. They are still prized for their ability to work independently and herding cattle, pigs, horses and goats as well as sheep. They were originally drovers.

In the 18th century there were many different Welsh herding dogs and one drover might have 4-6 different types of sheepdogs as guard dogs, herders and hunters. Most of these breeds were taller than the Welsh Sheepdog. By 1940 there aere only a couple of breeds doing these jobs in Wales. The purebred Welsh Hillman and Black and Tan Sheepdog were on the verge of extinction at that point.

At that time the most common dogs were descendants of the Black and Tan Sheepdog and the Border Collie. The Welsh Sheepdog was still working in central Wales and in the north country. They were purely a working breed and not a show breed in any way. They remain that today.

They are a landrace and very rare today. They have been around for more than 800 years with no effort at standardization for this working dog. They are only registered with the WSS or Welsh Sheepdog Society and the DRA Dog Registry of America.

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.

Description

welsh sheepdog puppy - descriptionBred for their herding abilities not their appearance, the Welsh Sheepdog can vary in color, build and size. They have long legs, broad chests and wide muzzles. They are all around bigger than the Border Collie. They come in black and white, tricolor, red and white and merle. The coat can be short or long and the ears pricked and folded at the top.

They look most like the Border Collie with a taller, broader, more solid build. They typically are stronger than the Border. Their head is distinctly collie shaped, flat and broad with the wide muzzle. The nose is black and the eyes are oval and brown. The merles can have striking blue eyes.

This is an athletic dog and you can tell by looking at her. Well muscled, broad back and neck with a long upward tail. Their tough paws are perfect for the rough terrain and Wales mountainsides.

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.

Characteristics

Characteristics

welsh sheepdog dog - characteristics1Children friendliness not really – aloof and concerned with job- all this dog wants to do is work.

2.Special talents -independent worker

3.Adaptability – Not an inside dog in any way. They need several hours of exercise per day.

4.Learning ability Highly intelligent but stubborn, independent

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.

Health Problems

welsh sheepdog puppies - health problemsUsually an indigenous rare breed does not have a lot of genetic or hereditary health concerns. This is a little different with the Welsh Sheepdog can suffer from any of these conditions.

• Epilepsy – Most respond well to medication and others might not even need medication.

• Collie Eye Anomaly – This is common in collie breeds like the rough coated collie. The development of the Choroid is impaired resulting in harm to the circulation of blood to the eye.

  • Hip Dysplasia – Can lead to lameness or arthritis.

• Atopic Dermatitis – Allergic skin disorder irritating paws, ears, and perineum.

• PRA Progressive Retinal Atrophy - deterioration of the retina can lead to blindness. Inherited.

  • Diabetes Mellitus – Damages pancreas, high blood sugar. Can be treated.

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.

Caring The Pet

Caring for Dog

welsh sheepdog dogs - caring1Feeding the puppy active dog feed high quality high protein food. 3-4 x day 1-2 cups

2.Feeding the adult Active dog feed high quality high protein 2x day 2 cups a day.

3.Points for Good Health stamina and intelligence

4. Games and Exercises This is an extremely active breed that needs a job. They are not the best pets they are working dogs. They need a lot of exercise. They are not good at living indoors. At least 2 hours of exercise daily is a must.

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.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United Kingdom
United States
Height Male:
51 - 56 cm
20 - 23 inches
26 - 36 cm
10 - 15 inches
Height Female:
48 - 54 cm
18 - 22 inches
26 - 36 cm
10 - 15 inches
Weight Male:
16 - 25 kg
35 - 56 pounds
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
Weight Female:
14 - 22 kg
30 - 49 pounds
3 - 9 kg
6 - 20 pounds
Life Span:
12 - 15 Years
12 - 13 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 10
2 - 6
Size:
Medium dog
Small dog
Other Names:
welsh collie
Aussie, Mini Australian Shepherd
Colors Available:
blue merle and tricolored Black and white • Red and white
White with tan, red or blue merle, black
Coat:
soft undercoat short to moderately long, and it can be coarse or soft.
Medium length, weather resistant coat
Shedding:
Moderate
Moderate
Temperament:
Alert, Courageous, Independent, Intelligent, Protective, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Hard
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
No
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
No
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Welsh Sheepdog vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Welsh Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Malinois) - Breed Comparison
  4. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Cattle Dog - Breed Comparison
  5. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bearded Collie - Breed Comparison
  6. Welsh Sheepdog vs Collie - Breed Comparison
  7. Welsh Sheepdog vs Austrailian Blue Heeler - Breed Comparison
  8. Welsh Sheepdog vs Dutch Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Welsh Sheepdog vs Blue Healer - Breed Comparison
  10. Welsh Sheepdog vs English Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Collie - Breed Comparison
  12. Welsh Sheepdog vs Catahoula Cur - Breed Comparison
  13. Welsh Sheepdog vs Australian Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  14. Welsh Sheepdog vs Catalan Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  15. Welsh Sheepdog vs Pyrenean Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  16. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bergamasco - Breed Comparison
  17. Welsh Sheepdog vs Berger Picard - Breed Comparison
  18. Welsh Sheepdog vs Appenzell Mountain Dog - Breed Comparison
  19. Welsh Sheepdog vs Queensland Heeler - Breed Comparison
  20. Welsh Sheepdog vs German Coolie - Breed Comparison
  21. Welsh Sheepdog vs Bohemian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  22. Welsh Sheepdog vs Croatian Sheepdog - Breed Comparison
  23. Welsh Sheepdog vs Red Heeler - Breed Comparison
  24. Welsh Sheepdog vs Belgian Shepherd Dog (Tervuren) - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Sheepdog vs Blue Lacy - 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