Toy Australian Shepherd vs Saluki - 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.

It seems as though the Saluki's origins go far back to ancient Egypt times. The dog is known for its superb hunting abilities.

These dogs have been known in the Middle East and could be found in Iran and Egypt too. Breeding with other dogs was forbidden so the Saluki has remained unchanged for thousands of years.

It has always been known over the centuries for its superb grace and speed as well as endurance. He is capable of that because of the tall, sleek, muscular body and long, narrow head.

The Saluki came to England in the 1900s, and today the dog comes in quite a few variations.

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 Saluki is a graceful, elegant looking dog, deep chested and long legged, much like the Greyhound and fairly closely related to the Afghan Hound.

They stand at between 58 and 71cm and weigh between 16 to 29kg. The head is long and narrow, the eyes large and the dog has floppy ears. The tail is long and curved. The coat of the Saluki comes in a number of different colours and these can be fawn, cream, white, tan, some black or it can have a blend of all these colours. The coat of this dog comes in two types - smooth and the feathered type. The fur is always beautifully silky and is considered to be low-shedding.

These dogs are also very fast runners, and if you check the Guinness Book of Records, you’ll see that the Saluki is listed there as being one of the fastest dogs with tremendous stamina.

Temperament:

Th Saluki is a beautiful, quiet, dignified, reserved, loyal dog. You can just see that he is intelligent. He is certainly affectionate with his human family but you wouldn’t call him demonstrative. He isn’t the kind of dog to be wildly prancing around wagging his tail furiously.

He’s the kind of dog that likes to give chase so you’ll need a large garden for him. It’s why he isn’t suited for city life on a small property. The countryside is a far better option for this tall dog.

When he’s not outdoors, he can easily curl up on your sofa for a few hours of utter relaxation. Training and socialization will be necessary for this shy dog as it not only makes him obedient, but it gives him some confidence with knowing how to behave in different circumstances. He’ll get on well with older children, but is fairly indifferent and intolerant to small kids, especially those that are undisciplined and left to climb over him.

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.

The Saluki loves his human family, and he’s the kind of dog that wouldn’t like to be owned by one family ad then given away to another later on. That's why make sure when you get your Saluki your intentions are to keep him.

He likes to be comfortable too when they’re not running outside, and a good bed is important to him. Salukis are naturally thin, so make sure not to overfeed him. These are quiet, calm dogs, but over the centuries they've been making reliable, steadfast pets and companions.

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.

We always mention hip dysplasia as a common dog ailment as so many dog breeds can succumb to this ailment. With the Saluki, hip dysplasia is uncommon. Cancer and cardiac issues are more prevalent with these dogs.

Cancer:

It is sad to realize that dogs are susceptible to the same types of cancer as people are. If the uncontrolled growth of cells in the body isn’t discovered in time, cancer can reach the circulatory or lymph systems and other parts of the body. In fact, cancer is the leading cause of death with dogs. The good news is that it is treatable if you catch it in the early stages.

One of the more common types of cancer in dogs is Lymphoma. This can affect any dog, and at any age too. There are swollen lymph nodes under the neck and the dog can have trouble with breathing and digestion. You’ll notice lumps underneath the dog's skin, abnormal discharges from the eyes, ears or rectum, non-healing wounds, coughing and pain.

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.

These tall, slender dogs love to run free and it's the kind of dog that will need regular and different forms of exercise.

Provide your Saluki with a comfortable, warm, dry bed with lots of padding.

The Saluki has smooth, silky hair so brush it twice a week to keep it gleaming.

To help your Saluki have a strong immune system, he needs the best food there is. Good food packed with vitamins and minerals instead of preservative and colorants will help him fight diseases like cancer.

Commercially manufactured dog foods can be wonderfully convenient and nutritious if you get the better quality ones. Give him some home-made food too and add it twice a week to the dry kibble. This will provide variety and a tasty treat. Boiled chicken, brown rice, sweet potatoes, carrots and spinach are simple foods – just like dogs want.

Try and include some raw meat occasionally. Fresh, cool water should always be available around the clock.