Miniature Australian Shepherd is originated from United States but Francais Blanc et Noir is originated from France. Miniature Australian Shepherd may grow 26 cm / 10 inches shorter than Francais Blanc et Noir. Miniature Australian Shepherd may weigh 16 kg / 35 pounds lesser than Francais Blanc et Noir. Both Miniature Australian Shepherd and Francais Blanc et Noir has almost same life span. Miniature Australian Shepherd may have more litter size than Francais Blanc et Noir. Both Miniature Australian Shepherd and Francais Blanc et Noir requires Moderate maintenance.
Unlike 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.
Translated from the French Chien Francais Blanc et Noir, is the French White and Black Hound. His ancestry goes back before the French Revolution to the old Hound of Saintonge and the Gascon Saintongeois. The Francais Blanc et Noir was bred to be a hunting dog and he is a scent hound. They were dogs that went hunting in packs, mostly for Roe and Red deer. In the late 19th Century, the Gascon Saintongeois was crossed with the Poitevin and the result was the Francais Blanc et Noir.
The breed was recognized in 1957 and by 2009 there were about 2000 dogs registered with the Federation Cynoloqique Interenationale. There are three types of the Francais line. They are the Chien Francais Tricolor and Chien Francais Blanc et Orange. The Blanc et Noir was bred as a hunting dog and they remain that especially in France. However, they are also very popular in dog shows. Because so many dogs belonged to hunters who felt no compulsion to register them, they were not recognized internationally for many decades later than they should have been.
Following the Second World War, breeding programs were in chaos and hunters were abandoning dogs that they could not feed. The military killed many dogs also. The Chien Francais Blanc et Noir saw its ranks greatly depleted but the breed survived. After being recognized in 1957 by the CKC and FCI, they gained international attention for the first time. Even though the breed is rare its numbers are greater than either of the other Chien Francais types. The breed registers 200 to 400 new dogs every year.
They are still endangered though because there are very few dogs left outside of France.
The UKC has recognized the breed but the AKC doesn’t.
The 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.
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.
Being a pack hunting dog, the Francais Blanc et Noir is muscular and lean. A long legged athletic breed with long drop ears, a domed head, and flews overhanging the lower lip. The coat is black and white, with black and blue ticking. There are tan dot on the cheeks and above the eyes and also below the tail. These spots of pale tan color can also appear on the dog’s legs. The Francais Blanc et Noir is known for its scenting ability and for its great voice. With its athletic build it is also known for its ability to persevere
The 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.
They are good with children as long as the children are not overly rambunctious.
He is a large active dog that would not be adaptable to apartment or city life.
The breed is very smart and easily trainable.
Your 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.
The Francais Blanc et Noir has the propensity for several minor and a few major health problems. These include:
Can lead to death if not treated immediately. Stomach twists and distends.
Can lead to arthritis and lameness if not treated.
These can be avoided if ears are checked and cleaned after each hunt and after exercise.
The breed is susceptible to the non-fatal type. Check for mites regularly.
Both seasonal and food potentially.
The 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.
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.
Until a year to 18 months feed two to three times per day two to two and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
After 18 months of age feed the adult at least twice a day about three to four and one half cups of high quality dry dog food.
The Francais Blanc et Noir is a dog with a lot of energy and bred to be very active. He needs plenty of exercise and both mental and physical stimulation. If you jog take him with you or take him on long walks every day. He will need a large yard and he needs a job if he is not used for hunting. He is good at field trials, tracking exercises, a search and rescue dog and barn hunts.