Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed ComparisonMiniature Australian Shepherd is originated from United States but Cao da Serra de Aires is originated from Portugal. Miniature Australian Shepherd may grow 9 cm / 3 inches shorter than Cao da Serra de Aires. Miniature Australian Shepherd may weigh 11 kg / 24 pounds lesser than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Miniature Australian Shepherd and Cao da Serra de Aires has almost same life span. Miniature Australian Shepherd may have more litter size than Cao da Serra de Aires. Both Miniature Australian Shepherd and Cao da Serra de Aires requires Moderate maintenance.

History

miniature australian shepherd - historyUnlike some miniaturized pure dog breeds, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is a breed of its own. The American Kennel Club and the United Kennel Club recognize that the miniature Australian Shepherd is the same as the miniature American Shepherd.

Certain breeding programs to develop the Miniature Australian Shepherd have been established and this dog is a small version of the Australian Shepherd. You can say that the Mini Australian Shepherd was developed in the 1960s and hails from the USA. American ranchers bred small Australian Shepherd dogs to create smaller replicas of the breed.

cao da serra de aires - historyAncestors of the Cao da Sera de Aires were used for herding livestock in the Serra de Aires and Alentejo, Portugal. This herding dog is native to Portugal and throughout the 20th Century he was kept as a working dog.

Known also as the Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog or Serra de Aires Mountain Dog, there are some questions surrounding the breed's ancestry as there are few records of dogs before 1900. The dog is thought to be related to the Pyrenean and Catalan Sheepdogs and that it has descended from Briards which were imported into Portugal and crossed with the Pyrenean Sheepdog.

The Cão da Serra de Aires breed standard was accepted by the Portuguese Kennel Club, and the breed was recognized internationally in 1996. The dog was also recognized by the United Kennel Club in the Herding Group in 2006.

Basic Information

Group:
Herding dogs
Herding dogs
Origin:
United States
Portugal
Height Male:
33 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
45 - 55 cm
17 - 22 inches
Height Female:
33 - 46 cm
12 - 19 inches
42 - 53 cm
16 - 21 inches
Weight Male:
6 - 16 kg
13 - 36 pounds
17 - 27 kg
37 - 60 pounds
Weight Female:
6 - 16 kg
13 - 36 pounds
15 - 27 kg
33 - 60 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 13 Years
12 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
5 - 9
3 - 6
Size:
Small dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
Miniature American Shepherd, Mini Aussie
Portuguese Sheepdog, Portuguese Shepherd Dog
Colors Available:
red or black tri-color, Blue or red merle
Fawn, gray, yellow and black
Coat:
Long and thick
Long, shaggy, single-layer coat,
Shedding:
Moderate, Seasonal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Description

miniature australian shepherd puppy - descriptionThe Miniature Australian Shepherd’s coat is medium-length and is straight or wavy. It comes in a range of colors such as blue or red merle and red or black tricolor. There are white or tan markings as well. He is a small dog, standing at 33 - 46 cm in height and weighing 6 – 16kg.

They have blue or brown eyes but some will even have one eye blue and the other brown. The ears are semi erect, semi floppy and the tail, while essentially left long and feathery, is sometimes docked.

Temperament:

Miniature Australian Shepherds are easygoing dogs who love being with their human families. They get on well with children in the home and are always willing to jump right in for a game.

They’re lively and agile and if its not games they’re busy with, they want to be on a walk. They’re loving and loyal and also eager to please, sensing what their owner wants.

They’re intelligent dogs too and easy to train so it is sure to go well with training and socialization, which is important for any dog. This training and socialization can actually help with problems a dog has such as being very nervous or being too active indoors. They become obedient and manageable wherever they are.

He is also willing to get on with other pets in the house. Just like the larger dog, the mini Australian Shepherd loves to be active and at work.

cao da serra de aires puppy - descriptionThe beautiful Cão da Serra de Aires is a medium-sized dog. He stands at 45 to 55 cm at the withers and weighs about 17 to 27 kg. He is recognizable by the long, shaggy, single-layer coat, of straight or slightly wavy hair. Don’t be deceived by the coat as below, the dog has a muscular, athletic body.

The coat comes in different shades such as fawn, gray, yellow and black. The dog has a long tail which is held straight out or down and he has medium-length, floppy ears. You’ve got to look hard, as the facial features of the dog are hidden by its shaggy coat. He has a lot of facial hair that sometimes you have to wonder if he can see out of his eyes.

Temperament:

The Cao da Serra de Aires is a wonderful canine companion and is devoted and loyal, forming strong bonds with their human family. He is a playful, amicable dog and gets on well with children in the home as well as with other pets.

He is intelligent and trainable, and when properly trained and socialized,he becomes an even nicer pet to have around and is obedient to his master’s voice. He is territorial, strong willed and dominant and makes a good watchdog too.

Characteristics

miniature australian shepherd dog - characteristicsThe wonderful friendly nature’s of these dogs make them excellent family pets, especially when they have been trained and socialized. They can live in the city or country but they will certainly require being exercised as they are an active breed, wanting to be busy with his human family.

You can’t describe these dogs as low maintenance as they have long, thick hair that sheds and which will also need to be brushed regularly.

If you’re able to provide a good home for this beautiful, lively dog, then he will make you a splendid pet.

cao da serra de aires dog - characteristicsThe Cão da Serra de Aires is such a loyal dog to his human family that he makes a splendid pet. He is active, having worked historically at herding and guarding.

Socialization and obedience training ensure that he becomes an exceptional pet and he has a host of positive attributes to his name – he is intelligent, energetic, loyal and loving. He may have been used long ago to guard livestock, but today he is selected as a pet specifically for his excellent companionship and for his protective nature.

Health Problems

miniature australian shepherd puppies - health problemsYour Miniature Australian Shepherd can enjoy good health if you make sure he has a nutritious diet, he is well exercised and he is happy and content because of the attention you give him. He can easily reach 13 years of age.

Also, say what you like, human beings constantly tampering with animals to produce certain looks has its drawbacks and can create health problems in dogs.

As a pure breed however, these dogs will be more susceptible to some common canine health problems such as hypothyroidism, patellar luxation, obesity, hip dysplasia, vision problems and cancer.

cao da serra de aires puppies - health problemsAs with most dogs that are looked after well, their health can be good. The Cao da Serra de Aires isn’t likely to keep you at the vet often. Just like with any good dog, there are some health disorders that can benefit you to know about.

Being forewarned , you can get your pet to the vet quickly before the illness gets out of hand.

There are some pet owners who want to have their pets tested by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals as well as the Canine Eye Registration Foundation to rule out health defects such as hip dysplasia and cataracts before they manifest themselves in their pets. This is of particular importance to breeders so as to prevent the parent dogs passing bad genetic conditions to the puppies.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a common skeletal disease where the dog’s hip joints don’t develop properly. It can be terribly painful for your pet to get around. It’s a genetic condition and while it is more prevalent in big dogs, any breeds are susceptible.

Your dog will battle along with painful joints and sometimes his hind-end will be lame. You’ll notice that once lying down, he battles to get up again. Fortunately vets are well acquainted with this ailment and they have different options to treat and manage it.

Cataracts:

Cataracts in your dog come about from a disease process which affects the lens of the eye. The eye loses its transparency and impairs vision. There are some instances where cataracts can cause blindness. You’ll see a whitish gray area in your pets eye. The most common cause of cataracts is genetics. Get your pet to the vet who will do certain tests to evaluate the eyes and make a recommendation.

Caring The Pet

Grooming:

miniature australian shepherd dogs - caringThe mini Australian Shepherd has a long coat with seasonal shedding. You will need to give the coat a good brush twice a week to keep it untangled and to remove loose hair.

Other grooming for your pet will be to check his eyes and ears for infection, check for unusual lumps when you brush him and check for fleas and ticks. Keep his nails trimmed and brush his teeth 2 or 3 times a week to avoid plaque build up.

If you’re wondering how to keep your dog well groomed for the enhancement of this health, people such as your vet or professional groomers will do these grooming tasks for you.

Diet:

Top quality commercially manufactured dog food packed with vitamins and minerals needs to be your choice if you're going to be using these dog foods. Avoid the cheaper brands that use lots of fillers, sugar, salt, colorants and preservatives.

Home-made food is a wonderful treat for a dog and delicious, nutritious and simple ingredients such as boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and some cooked vegetables chopped up into his dry kibble from time to time will do him wonders.

Sometimes it will also be good to add in a little bit of raw meat too. Make sure there is a bowl of fresh, cool water available to your pet constantly.

cao da serra de aires dogs - caringAs a working dog used to long hours of action, the Cao da Serra de Aires will need lots of activity. He’ll need you taking him for long walks and playing ball games with him. He can become frustrated and destructive when left without any physical stimulation.

Grooming

The Cao da Serra de Aires may have long hair but he isn’t high maintenance. He won’t require professional grooming, but will require a good brush a least twice a week. This is because the long coat can tangle.

To keep him looking his best, you’ll want to be trimming the hair around his paws. Another important grooming task is checking his ears and cleaning them. You have to be careful about cleaning your pet ears if you don’t know how, as it could damage the ears. Your vet can always advise you on how this is done.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Corgi - Breed Comparison
  2. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs American Eskimo Dog - Breed Comparison
  3. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi - Breed Comparison
  4. Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  5. Toy Australian Shepherd vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  6. Welsh Corgi vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  7. Pomeranian vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  8. Pug vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  9. Miniature Schnauzer vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  10. Papillon vs Miniature Australian Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  11. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  12. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Boston Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  14. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Maltipoo - Breed Comparison
  15. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  16. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Bichon Frise - Breed Comparison
  17. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Dachshund - Breed Comparison
  18. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Jack Russell Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  20. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  22. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  23. Miniature Australian Shepherd vs Mal-Shi - Breed Comparison
  24. Pembroke Welsh Corgi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  25. Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  26. Dutch Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  27. English Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  28. Catahoula Cur vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  29. Catalan Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  30. Pyrenean Shepherd vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  31. Appenzell Mountain Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  32. Queensland Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  33. German Coolie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  34. Croatian Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  35. Red Heeler vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  36. New Zealand Huntaway vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  37. Norwegian Buhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  38. Polish Lowland Sheepdog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  39. Mudi vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  40. Schapendoes vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  41. Nenets Herding Laika vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  42. Scotch Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  43. Smithfield vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  44. Smooth Collie vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  45. Spanish Water Dog vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  46. Swedish Lapphund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  47. Swedish Vallhund vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison
  48. Thai Bangkaew vs Cao da Serra de Aires - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds