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Mini Yorkshire Aussie (Yorkshire Terrier & Australian Shepherd Mix) Info, Pictures, Facts

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By Nicole Cosgrove

Mini Yorkshire Aussie (Yorkshire Terrier & Australian Shepherd Mix)

Height: 8–19 inches
Weight: 12–40 pounds
Lifespan: 13–20 years
Colors: Blue merle, red merle, black, red, white, tan, steel blue
Suitable for: Active families or individuals, rural or suburban settings, those willing to train a smart and work-driven dog
Temperament: Intelligent, hardworking, independent, courageous, playful, loyal, fun-loving, energetic, highly trainable

Would you be bored with a lapdog, but don’t have quite the room for a large breed? Do you want a canine companion who will love not just spending time with you, but participating in fun and enriching activities? Then check out the Mini Yorkshire Aussie!

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie is smart, sweet, and loves having a job to do. They can be great watchdogs, as they are alert and protective. And once you’ve earned their devotion, their loving personalities also make them wonderful family dogs and companions.

Yorkshire Terriers were originally bred to control rat populations in mines and cotton mills in Yorkshire, England. They were popular with the working class but later became a fashionable pet in the Victorian era. The Mini Yorkshire Aussie first came to America in the 1870s and continues to be a popular toy-sized companion dog.

The Australian Shepherd was developed by farmers and ranchers in California in the 1920s, though the breed is originally thought to come from the Basque region of France and Spain. They were used as herding dogs, farm dogs, and even performers in the American West. Today, the Australian Shepherd continues to be kept as a herding dog and companion.

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Mini Yorkshire Aussie Puppies

Energy
Trainability
Health
Lifespan
Sociability

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie is a charming mix of cuddly and cute, and confidently self-assured. This is one smart pup, and they love to entertain their friends and family. If you choose this breed you will have a devoted and hardworking friend for many years to come.

Taking care of a puppy is a serious long-term commitment. Depending on health and breeding, a Mini Yorkshire Aussie can easily live to be as old as 20—and even with a more conservative estimate, you will be caring for this dog well into their teens.

You may find puppies with either the stark black and tan coloring of a Yorkie, the pretty merle patterns of the Australian Shepherd, or a unique blend of the two. Their eyes can be a more typical brown or black, but also hazel, blue, or even two entirely different colors (heterochromia).

3 Little-Known Facts About the Mini Yorkshire Aussie

1. Yorkshire Terriers All Have a Common Ancestor

The Yorkshire Terrier breed was not fully cemented as a distinct breed until the 1800s, and it is universally acknowledged that the father of the breed is one famous dog named Huddersfield Ben.

Ben was a ratter, stud dog, and show dog. Though he died tragically early at the age of 6 in an accident, he won over 70 awards in his lifetime! A large dog for the breed at 11 pounds, he was so valued partially because all his litters grew to be 7 pounds or less. Nearly all Yorkies are distantly related to Ben.

2. Australian Shepherds Became Famous at Rodeos

While this breed was beloved in the American West by ranchers and farmers for their herding ability, they came to more national popularity while performing in rodeos. These whip-smart and athletic dogs would show off on agility courses, perform tricks, as well as help bulls and livestock.

3. The Mini Yorkshire Aussie Will Love Having a Job to Do

Though they are smaller dogs, both sides of the Mini Yorkshire Aussie’s parentage gift these guys a strong work drive and eagerness to do a job well.

Whether that’s chasing rats off a farm, alerting you to newcomers in the home, helping to herd livestock, or learning new tricks and commands—these dogs will relish the mental and physical stimulation of having tasks complete and activities to be a part of!

Parent Breeds of the Mini Yorkshire Aussie
Image Credit:(L) BubbleJuice, Pixabay | (R) torstensimon, Pixabay

Temperament & Intelligence of the Mini Yorkshire Aussie 🧠

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie is a smart, lively, and fun-loving dog. You’ll find them focused and determined when they have a task, but warm and playful at home with their friends and family. They can be somewhat wary of strangers at first but are friendly and affectionate when you get to know them.

And though the Mini Yorkshire Aussie is on the small side, these pups are not your average lap dog. They are incredibly intelligent, high energy, and have a strong work drive. These dogs are happiest when they have engaging activities to do, and their alert senses and loud bark make them excellent watchdogs.

Are These Dogs Good for Families? 🏡

Naturally fun-loving, bright, and eager to participate in activities with their owners, the Mini Yorkshire Aussie can be an excellent family dog. They get along well with almost all adults and older children. However, there are several traits from both parent breeds that may cause friction with poorly trained dogs or very young children.

From the Australian Shepherd, this breed inherits excellent herding instincts. While this means they are very protective and gentle, it can also lead to these dogs nipping at the heels of rowdy children and trying to corral them. And from the Yorkshire Terrier side comes a certain attitude of disdain for disrespectful, or rough treatment. This can manifest in nipping, excessive barking, and general stubbornness.

In any of these cases, you can curb inappropriate behaviors with firm, positive training and by redirecting your dog’s instincts and energy toward games and toys.

As always, healthy mutual respect is the real key to a harmonious household. You can generally prevent any of these behaviors from becoming an issue by socializing your puppy early and training children how to respect their canine friends!

Does This Breed Get Along with Other Pets? 🐶 😽

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie is companionable and easygoing with most other animals including dogs and cats. If you socialize your puppy early on you should have little to worry about with these amiable dogs.

Due to the hunting instincts inherited from both parent breeds, however, you should never trust this breed with small pets and prey animals.

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Things to Know When Owning a Mini Yorkshire Aussie

Getting a dog is a serious life decision. To give you a better idea of whether this breed is right for you, here’s a closer look at the regular upkeep and care of a Mini Yorkshire Aussie.

Food & Diet Requirements 🦴

A high-quality dry food is the most convenient way to make sure your Mini Yorkshire Aussie is getting a well-balanced array of nutrients. Look for kibble with lots of whole food ingredients like vegetables, lean meats, and fruits. Appropriate portion sizes and trustworthy brands can be discussed with your vet.

The athletic Mini Yorkshire Aussie will do well with foods rich in protein and fats, especially omega-3s and omega-6s. The right balance of fatty acids will not only fuel their active lives, but also keep their coats, skin, and nails shiny and healthy.

Exercise 🐕

A compact, but athletic dog, the Mini Yorkshire Aussie will benefit greatly from access to a fenced-in yard for exercise. They are active dogs, and we recommend providing them with many opportunities throughout the day to work off their energy such as long walks or hikes and games.

Do not leave these dogs alone for long periods, as their intelligence and energy mean they can easily become bored. And when smart dogs get stir-crazy, poor behavior follows. If your Mini Yorkshire Aussie chews the furniture or barks incessantly at every squirrel, chances are they’re bored to death!

To keep your Mini Yorkshire Aussie mentally and physically stimulated you can train them on agility courses, take them out for hikes, give them puzzle toys that dispense treats, and more—get creative and find out what your canine friend likes best!

Training 🦮

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie is smart and highly trainable, but also a bit on the stubborn side. It may take some patience to learn how to communicate with your dog, but once you earn each other’s respect you will find few dogs as quick and eager to learn as these.

We recommend you start training with your Mini Yorkshire Aussie early on so that you can avoid any of the common bad behaviors of a terrier or herding dog. In fact, this smart canine will actually enjoy training, and with patience and dedication, it can be a fun and engaging activity for both of you.

Grooming ✂️

Between the long hair of the Yorkshire Terrier and the thick double coat of the Australian Shepherd, the Mini Yorkshire Aussie is a pooch with a lot of fur. We recommend brushing your dog multiple times a week and haircuts about every 2 months.

While their coats take quite a bit of weekly maintenance to keep from matting and growing over their eyes, on the upside they are medium shedders at most. Teeth and ears will also need regular maintenance. The Mini Yorkshire Aussie’s ears need to be swabbed out gently to clear any dirt or wax buildup that could otherwise lead to infection.

Yorkshire Terriers are known to have a variety of dental issues in their lifetime, so brush your pup’s teeth a few times a week to help freshen their breath and keep their gums and teeth healthy. Depending on your dog’s level of activity, you may need to trim their nails too. Check them routinely and clip toenails that are not worn down naturally to forestall any accidental scratches or painful nail cracking.

Health Conditions ❤️

Like most hybrid dogs, the Mini Yorkshire Aussie is a generally healthy breed. Their smaller size means they usually live quite a long time, and they inherit a sturdy build from the Australian Shepherd.

However, the Mini Yorkshire Aussie is still a very new breed. Both the parent breeds have several predispositions and inherited conditions, and here is a full list so you can keep an eye out for any concerns that may arise.

Minor Conditions
  • Collie eye anomaly
  • Deafness
  • Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
  • Luxating patellas
  • Dental problems
Serious Conditions
  • Hypoglycemia
  • Legg-Perthes disease
  • Liver shunt
  • Hip dysplasia

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Male vs Female

Though personality traits are different from dog to dog, you can expect a few differences based on your Mini Yorkshire Aussie’s sex.

Male Mini Yorkshire Aussies grow up to be physically larger and are more likely to display sexual behaviors like mounting and humping. Female Mini Yorkshire Aussie dogs are petite, and often more cautious than their male counterparts.

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Final Thoughts

So, is the Mini Yorkshire Aussie right for you? Those with a sedentary lifestyle, or no interest in training or providing intellectual companionship for a dog should probably look elsewhere.

But if you are looking for a smart, loyal, and energetic dog that asks for an equal return of attention and respect from their owner, then the Mini Yorkshire Aussie may be exactly right!


Featured Image Credit: Lilly Godwin, Shutterstock

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