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Aussalier (Australian Shepherd & Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Mix): Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

aussalier puppy

Height: 13–16 inches
Weight: 16–35 pounds
Lifespan: 12–15 years
Colors: White, blue, silver, brown, gray, black
Suitable for: People looking for a small and manageable dog
Temperament: Playful, energetic, laidback, loving

The Aussalier is a mix of Australian Shepherd and Cavalier King Charles. Its small size and its minimal exercise requirements mean that this small breed can live in an apartment, although he will obviously still require regular walks.

The King Charles parent is known for being laidback and even lazy, while the Australian Shepherd is high energy and more challenging. The resulting cross can exhibit signs of either but tends to fall in the middle, which makes the Aussalier a great family pet that will run around and play with the kids when they want but is equally happy to relax while they watch TV.

Generally, Aussaliers will bond with a single member of the family, but they get on well with children, adults, the elderly, other dogs, and cats. Aussaliers have the potential to make excellent family pets.

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Aussalier Puppies

aussalier puppy - king spaniel shepherd
Image Credit: Pxhere
Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Aussalier is still a very new breed and there aren’t too many breeders that offer this crossbreed yet. With this in mind, be ready to do lots of research, call different breeders, and ask dog shelters nearby. With enough patience, you might be able to find an adorable Aussalier to welcome home.

These small dogs are great for apartment dwellers due to their size and low maintenance needs. They tend to be loving and affectionate with their owners and will want to spend as much time as possible playing and cuddling with you and your family. Keep reading the Aussalier’s full care guide to know what type of care they need to grow into happy and healthy dogs.

Three Little-Known Facts About the Aussalier

1. The Aussalier has only been around since 2013.

The first King Charles Australian Shepherd cross appeared online in 2013. While it is possible that the two parent breeds had mixed before, it was Pinewood Cavapoos that listed that first litter. They were bred to be lightweight and smaller than the Shepherd but with more energy than the often laid-back and timid Cavalier King Charles.


2. The King Charles breed is still quite new.

Despite having such a regal name, the Cavalier King Charles breed is still quite young, compared to a lot of pure breeds anyway. They were bred from the toy spaniel in the 16th Century. The lapdogs were popular in France, where King Charles II gave them their name. The King was accused of looking after his dogs when he should have been running the country, and he didn’t travel anywhere without at least three Spaniels at his feet.


3. Australian Shepherds aren’t Australian.

The Australian Shepherd is of medium size and stature and is believed to be an ancestor of Australian herding dogs, but the breed itself was actually developed in the US, where it can be seen at Rodeos and working at the side of cowboys and ranchers. The collie-like dog is also very popular with active and energetic owners. It is a highly capable agility dog and is used as a service dog in a range of different settings and requirements.

Parent Breeds of the Aussalier
Image Credit: Jumpstory

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Temperament & Intelligence of the Aussalier 🧠

The Aussalier is a new breed, having only existed for less than 10 years. As such, we don’t have much history of the breed, but we do know a lot about both parent breeds.

The Cavalier King Charles is a loving and loyal lap dog, but it has a reputation for being lazy and a little too laid back. It can also be quite timid and a little shy around new people and new animals. These attributes have made it a popular companion dog for the elderly. By crossing it with a dog like the Australian Shepherd, breeders aim to increase its energy levels so that it is better suited to a more active life.

The Australian Shepherd is a bigger, more energetic, and more confident breed. It is primarily used as a herding dog and shares a lot of attributes with the collie. It is easy to train, and good with other animals and children, but has very high exercise demands.

The Aussalier breed has, so far, proven to combine the best attributes of the two breeds. It retains the Cavalier’s willingness to sit and relax but adopts the Shepherd’s outgoing attitude. It is considered an excellent dog for families, should integrate well with existing pets, but will perform admirably in agility and other high-octane pursuits.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Aussaliers can make excellent family pets. They get along with people and usually get along with other animals. Aussaliers are usually bigger than a King Charles but are still small enough that children can cause them injury, so you should supervise them around young kids.

Although the Aussalier can live in an apartment, you will need to ensure that he gets a lot of exercise from daily walks and playtime. If he has a garden to run around in, a walk is still good for the change of environment and to encourage better social skills.

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Australian Shepherd in the Aussalier is a herding dog and has worked around small and large animals for centuries. The Aussalier can be very playful, which might put some other dogs off, but he is usually respectful of other animals so makes a great addition to an existing pet family. If your Aussalier adopts more of the King Charles in him, then he should still be good with other dogs but might be more nervous during first meetings.

aussalier puppy
Image Credit: Elena Ivana, Shutterstock

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Things to Know When Owning an Aussalier:

The Aussalier is considered easy to train and, with enough physical and mental stimulation, he will become an excellent companion and family dog. Before owning this breed, you should know the following information.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

The Aussalier is a smaller dog. You should only have to feed him one cup of food a day, ideally broken into two or more meals. Try to ensure you choose a high-quality pet food because this will ensure that he gets the right mix of vitamins and nutrients and that the ingredients are nourishing rather than wasted calories.

Exercise 🐕

The Aussalier is becoming a popular family pet because it mixes the energy of the Australian Shepherd with the lovingness of the King Charles. It is likely that your Aussalier is going to demand some exercise, and while it won’t require as much walking as a true Shepherd, you will need to offer at least one daily walk, especially if you live in an apartment or in a property that doesn’t have a yard. The dog’s diminutive form means that even a small yard would be beneficial to let him have a run.

Some Aussaliers can be highly energetic. Burning this excess energy off can prevent bad behavior and bring out the companion dog in the breed. If this sounds like your dog, consider enrolling in agility classes or taking up hiking.

In most instances, the Aussalier will need to be kept on a leash. The Aussie Herder is a herding dog and naturally nips at the heels of its cattle, to ensure that they don’t stray away. Some Aussaliers can adopt a similar strategy but aimed at cyclists and pedestrians!

aussalier
Image Credit: Elena Ivana, Shutterstock

Training 🦮

Aussaliers are considered easy to train and given the proper stimulation, they will soak up new commands. This breed, and especially the Australian Shepherd parent breed, are used as service dogs, alert dogs, and companion dogs, not only showing their intelligence and adaptability but also their willingness to be trained.

Start training at a young age, ideally within a few months, and offer plenty of healthy treats and love as rewards. You also need to make training fun, because this will ensure that the Shepherd shines through the Cavalier King Charles.

Grooming ✂️

Both the Aussie and the Cavalier are quite high-maintenance when it comes to grooming and care. Your Aussalier can shed all year round and will need brushing at least once a week, possibly more often if he likes to get out and roll around. However, your dog’s coat will be weather-resistant, which means that it shouldn’t need regular baths. The Aussalier is not known for having an overtly doggy smell.

Keep ears clean, which is especially important for the Cavalier breed. Give them a wipe out every week to avoid ear infections and prevent wax buildup.

Your Aussalier’s nails should be kept trim. Long nails can become uncomfortable and even cause injury. Clip them when you start to hear them scraping and clicking against the ground. If you regularly walk your dog on concrete, nails may not need clipping as often because the floor’s surface will naturally keep them trim.

Health and Conditions ❤️

The Aussalier is such a young breed that not much is known of common health complaints. As a mixed breed, though, we can look at both parent breeds to determine likely health defects.

The King Charles is prone to teary eyes and this is usually not a cause for concern. You should consult a veterinarian if your dog doesn’t outgrow this problem, however. However, other eye problems include cataracts and retinal dysplasia. Snorting is another common problem that is not usually a sign of anything serious. Heart murmurs can be present.

The Aussie Shepherd can inherit the merle gene and if they inherit from both parents they can be born deaf or blind. This shouldn’t be a problem that has been passed on to the crossbreed, however. Other problems for the breed include cataracts and epilepsy.

Because cataracts are a potential problem for both breeds, you should look for signs of this problem. Look for a gray, white layer in the eye and a change in your dog’s behavior that would suggest their eyesight has changed.

Minor Conditions
  • Cataracts
  • Weeping eyes
  • Snorting
Serious Conditions
  • Epilepsy
  • Retinal dysplasia

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Male vs Female

There are no major personality differences between the male Aussalier and female Aussalier of either parent, although the males do tend to be a little larger. Female Australian Shepherds are considered more needy and need to be shown affection, whereas males are more likely to show affection themselves. Other than this, there are no real differences between the sexes.

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Conclusion

The Aussalier is still a very new breed and little is yet known about it, having only really been introduced in 2013. However, plenty is known about both parent breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a home-loving, owner-loving companion dog that can be a little timid but does not really require much exercise. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, highly energetic dog, that is perfect as a companion dog, service dog, or working as a herding or Rodeo dog.

The resulting combination is a loving, family-oriented dog that craves love, mixes well with others, and does not have excessive exercise demands but does require a reasonable walk. If you want a breed that combines agility and intelligence with a fun-loving and loving nature, the Aussalier could be a perfect choice.

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Featured Image Credit: Elena Ivana, Shutterstock

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