Toy Australian Shepherd vs Labrador Husky - Breed Comparison

These 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.

The Labrador Husky is a purebred, spitz-type dog which looks much like a Wolf. People think because it has the name Labrador Husky it is a cross between a Husky and Labrador. What it essentially means is that it is a Husky dog which comes from the region of Labrador, Canada.

It is a fairly unknown breed, but it is strongly believed that the dog was developed in Labrador, a region of northern Canada. In fact this is where the dog got its name from.

The attractive dog was used for sledding and it is also thought that the people of Labrador introduced Alaskan Malamute and German Shepherd in to add in some additional skills from these two dog breeds. The dogs were later domesticated so as to become companion animals.

The 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.

The wolf-like muscular Labrador Husky is a large dog standing at 51 to 71 cm in height and weighing 27 to 45 kg.

Labrador is a place known for its icy winters and the dog’s double coat protects it from the freezing temperatures.

The color of the coat can be white, grey and white, solid black, solid grey as well as red and white. In fact there can be several different coat colors in one litter.

He has a long muzzle like the wolf and blue or brown slanted eyes. Sometimes you’ll get one blue eye and one brown eye. He has pointed ears, a nose which can be black or a pinkish color, bushy tail and paws which are webbed.

Temperament:

Labrador Huskies make wonderful pets and they are good with children, particularly when they’ve been properly trained and socialized.

Because they are dogs which have worked in a pack, they also get on well with other dogs in the home. You’ll notice that your Labrador Husky won’t often bark but he will howl like a wolf.

He is a friendly dog and not aggressive. He is intelligent too and you can teach him some basic commands such as sit, stay and lie-down.

The Labrador Husky is a dog used to having a job so if you bring him into your home, you’ll need to ensure that you set aside time to exercise him as he will become frustrated and bored if he isn’t involved in your family life.

The 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.

A Labrador Husky is a loyal, affectionate dog who is capable of forming a strong bond with his human family.

As a working dog, he loves being busy with fun and games and is playful and energetic and has good looks on his side too.

He is also an intelligent dog, strong-willed and confident and will require a firm, consistent owner who understands his need for regular exercise.

Social, lively and robust, the right environment will bring out all this beautiful dog’s best characteristics.

Make 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.

Labrador Huskies can live to be between 10 and 13 years of age, and within a loving home he is generally looked upon as a healthy breed.

There are always typical dog problems that might be found in your dog, and a couple of the more prominent ones are listed -

Hip Dysplasia:

It can be a sad day for your Labrador Husky if he is diagnosed with hip dysplasia because if he is still used as a pack dog for pulling sleds it could well put him out of a job that he thrives on. It is a problem in the hips, and your once active dog may be in pain and may even battle to stand up after lying down.

He could even develop arthritis which can cripple him. He’ll need to get to the vet so that treatment can make life comfortable for him and to assist with pain.

Gastric Dilatation and Volvulus - Bloat:

Deep chested dogs are more prone to bloat, and your Labrador Husky is a deep chested dog. The stomach of the dog expands with gas, blocking gas escaping and putting pressure on the abdominal organs of the dog.

In some cases the stomach can twist and then immediate surgery will be required. This is a life threatening illness. Try and avoid feeding your dog one large meal and feed him smaller meals instead. These days you also get feeding bowls that encourage slower eating.

Diet:

Your 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.

Grooming:

You’ll want to introduce a proper grooming routine for your pet as he has a thick double coat and he sheds throughout the year. Brush the thick coat 2 or 3 times a week, and set aside time to check for fleas and ticks and any appearance of lumps.

Exercise:

These are dogs which require a lot of vigorous exercise. Left chained or ignored he can become frustrated, run-down, bored and sick. He is a living, social animal that should only be brought into a household that acts responsibly towards him.

Diet:

Choose high quality food which is for high energy dogs. If you give him dry kibble, mix in some home-made food occasionally to add variety, and also try to include some raw meat from time to time. Always ensure fresh, cool water is available.