Vote now! American Shepherd/Mini Aussie VS CKC Spaniel!

[Everose]

Have you looked into American Eskimo dogs? Small to medium size, long white hair, temperament possibly right for your purposes based on what I've read.
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/american-eskimo-dog/

Some years ago, I was busy researching every dog breed with a Spitz-type appearance, trying to find one that was trainable and did not have too much prey drive. The American Eskimo Dog sounded promising to me, except that I wanted short hair instead of long. But it might be a fit for what you want.

Awwwweeeeeeee
I love their looks! I had really wanted a pom but their constant barking and prey drive was problematic. I'll definitely look into these! I don't think the constant need for attention would be a problem at all since it would literally go everywhere with me

 

[PICKSTER]

So - my dog is both! Due to a whoopsie involving the breeder's young daughter letting my dog's mom in with her CKC male, Pixel is half Mini American Shepherd and half CKC.

Sounds like you already have an Aussie, so you basically know what you'd be getting if you get a Mini American Shepherd - and do make sure you get one from a breeder that CALLS them Mini American Shepherds. A lot of breeders that call them Mini Aussies are backyard breeders that aren't doing the appropriate health testing, showing, etc, and you really need to make sure a shepherd is coming from a good breeder. Poorly bred Aussies can be neurotic and aggressive. I have a coworker whose 'mini aussie' just bit him in the arm seriously enough that it left four puncture wounds. His offense was turning over in bed to face her.

Any breeder you go with - and this should be any breed - should have titled parents that are proven, be this in the show ring for show line dogs or sports if they're working line dogs. They should have the parents OFA tested and be happy to share their results with you. Don't go with a breeder who can't provide these things.

On the CKC side of things, they are great dogs! But they have health problems. Even lines from great breeders have health problems. Nearly all CKCs carrying the IVDD gene, meaning they are prone to back problems. Pixel herself inherited one copy of the gene from her father. They are also prone to heart issues, though good breeders have done work on that - Pixel's father's line has been carefully bred for heart health, and the breeder owns an 11 year old that hasn't so much as developed a murmur. But they ARE very prone to heart issues. It is something to expect going in.

Temperament-wise, Pixel is great with the animals on my farm. She has herding tendencies, but I can call her off stock no issues. She has never made a move to attack my farm animals. She will chase them sometimes, but I just call her off if it's a problem.

She is a breeze to train, and wants to work for me. However, this means she does need to have a job. If I don't give her mental stimulation, she will find something to do - and it won't necessarily be what I want her to do, haha. Honestly, she leans more towards the MAS side in regards to temperament.

If I was choosing between the two breeds, I'd choose Mini American Shepherd. They are great farm dogs and are relatively healthy. CKCs are great dogs, but they are too prone to health issues for me. I worry about Pixel developing back or heart issues from that side of her parentage.

This is my little mutt:

View attachment 3860546

 

[PICKSTER]

My mini Australian Shepherd whose herding instinct is strong.

 

[Everose]

Any thoughts on the schipperke?

 

[fluffycrow]

Oh I never meant for the cavalier to have any other purpose than being a companion. The only reason the American shepherd would have a job is because they have work drive. My dog also would not be outside very much, even if it were a working farm dog (like my LGDs) my dogs are getting their own fully accessible air conditioned house and they're spending nights with me in my house (not the LGDs though, they wouldn't choose to), none of my dogs willingly stay outside during the day. The purpose of both the MAS and CKCS would be as my practice dog and work companion, for that purpose all they need is a semi-groomable coat and a Velcro personality. I live on a farm and always will, that's why both would need to be unlikely to prey upon or injure my livestock.



Okay gotcha!
I have never had a good experience with puppy mill or BYB dogs anyways and I hate supporting them, my first ever dogs (gifted to me when I was 5-6) were BYB and they were just awful, super unpredictable and not at all what they should've been, one was very aggressive towards me and the other never potty trained because of her living conditions prior to 12wks. My favorite dogs by far have been my Shih Tzus, I drove out of state for my favorite one and he was an absolute blast, all three were perfect breed standard healthy dogs (proven parents, AKC, UKC, and had health panels) except for one who had typical eye problems and allergies. They are just prone to too many breathing, eye, brain, and oral problems for me to want another.

I see. So basically a shih tzu with less health issues, and a potentially more manageable coat? Not too familiar with the Shih Tzu tests, but I don't imagine they'd be much different.



Seems like we're looking for a similar breed. I'm looking for a breed that's basically like a Cavalier in every way other than coat type (I've discovered I hate grooming) and health. Out of the two I still believe that the MAS would be a good fit for you, but it doesn't replicate the Shih Tzu temperament (which is very similar to the Cavalier temperament).



How about a Lhasa Apso, or a Löwchen? Both can be clipped, and quite healthy breeds, to my knowledge

 

[Evadig]

I noticed you put Cavalier King Charles so I thought perhaps you might like a cocker spaniel? My Eva might be an anomaly, but she loves all the farm animals, especially the newest babies, and is completely trustworthy. I have her chase off the geese when they start trying to attack me and she stops when I tell her. She's an American cocker, not sure if that makes any difference .

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Mini Australian Shepherd is a BYB term. There's only Australian shepherd, and Miniature American shepherds. At least as far as AKC is concerned. The ASDR will register both mini and toy Australian shepherds, but they are generally mixed, not always, and you can't always know temperament or size.

Australian shepherds and CKC spaniel are completely different breeds. So it depends if yo want a more mellow companion or you want an active pushy type dog. I don't know a lot about Miniature American shepherds, but I read they are similar to Australian shepherds.

Hopefully that doesn't offend anyone. I love Australian shepherds, but you gotta be ready for that type of personality.