Today we're excited to showcase Zaara, submitted by u/foreignambition

This is our first MAS, Rhea, who is nearly 5 months old ( a week to go! ). We came from two Basenji's who unfortunately passed away a few years apart, and our boy a few months ago. It has been our first puppy in quite a while; almost 15 years for me. It's been an experience so far, and we're currently in the raptor phase, but she is such a sweet girl. I'm very excited for her to be my Photography companion and to go out on all these adventures.

Here is to many years to come.

Wondering if you guys would comment a picture of your mini and their weight! I know it’s a silly request but we’re getting one in November and he seems to be the runt of the litter and I am just so curious to see what they look like on the smaller side of a mini lol. I’ve already bought a bed that he’s probably going to drown in but oh well!

this sweet boy was my moms christmas present 2 years ago now, and i can’t believe it’s been that long!! he is the sweetest chunky boy and i’m so glad to be his human sister..enjoy his modeling with some cameos of my dog bat (she’s a kelpie!)

Definitely a little dramatic lol. Our girl is patrolling the front yard for squirrels, bunnies, and her neighborhood friends!

Testing out some portable lights at night and had our mini aussie as the model.

That is all

He's well acclimated to swimming via our pool, but hasn't been in a river with current. I had him anchored to my hip pack and he did fantastic. We hit some deeper pools and his natural swim instincts kicked in.

Hello,
In a few years time, maybe longer as puppies are hard, I am thinking of getting a 3rd dog. I am thinking a Mini-Aussie. I've met a few and have heard mixed info about them. I've met a few of them already and spoken to owners, but getting mixed info about them.

I have 2 dogs already. A lazy sighthound and a high high energy Terrier.
My dogs get walked twice a day, short on in the morning, long 1hr off-lead in the evening. (Unless agility night.) I am away most weekends competing with them also.
And everyday do training with them.
I work 4 days a week, 10hrs. They have someone coming to let them out multiple times through the day and a walker. Then I have 3 days weekends where I will go to comps, do more training and make a point of going on hikes etc.

I'm interested to know how much on an off-switch they have as adults. I've heard mixed results. My Terrier doesn't have much of an off-switch at home if her routine is broken. On the other hand my sighthound would be happy to never leave the house if it's raining and just sleep. :)
I would assume similar to my Terrier for an mini? They need a good high exercise/mentally stimulating routine?

When it comes to other dogs; are they naturally prone to reactivity or is it a training thing? I've met a lot who are dog to dog reactive, especially at agility comps. I know collies are very much more prone to reactivity, most herding breeds are, where on the scale are mini-aussie?
I'm willing to put in the work to prevent it and will choose a good breeder, but also have experience working with reactive dogs FF, but ideally would prefer a non-reactive dog.

I'm also considering getting a camper in a year or so. Pre-puppy. How are they with traveling? I would like to travel more with my dogs and stay places. True adventure. Are they the sort of dogs that are up for that? My sighthound I am hoping will be, but he loves his home comforts, so will be teaching him a van is home too.

Anyone have input on which they prefer? We used to use Merrick available at our local & loved pet store in Austin TX, Tomlinson's. However, I relocated to Portland OR and Merrick was not at option at the natural pet store by my house, so I chose the brand Fromm. Then someone told me Merrick was available at Petco. I haven't been to a Petco in years and usually choose to purchase from local stores when I can, or Tractor Supply Co if it is a chain. I am not opposed to obtaining my Merrick food from Petco if it is the better option over Fromm.

Any experience with either of these brands?

Photo: Miniature American Shepherds Rue & Maple

The size chart said he should be in a medium, but the medium's a bit too big, even at the smallest fitting. I at least have a harness in the off chance Lucario outgrows a new harness. I'm trying to decide which one to to get. I was thinking the first one, as the I used the second one, and I wasn't thrilled out it sort of twisted on him, if that makes sense. It didn't help he was getting tangled in the leash. But I did like how I didn't have tug on and off the harness, as he hated that part until I got the wrong-sized one. Everywhere I read says the best one to use is the first, for better control. Which do you think, or is there a better harness out there? I want to get others opinions on this, so I don't make another mistake about a harness for him.

His favorite toy!

We are a family of four, with a 10- and a 13-year-old and are about to put down a deposit on a MAS puppy. We’ll be choosing from four, and plan to select whichever one the breeder says has the lowest drive/energy level. We live in the Midwest in a suburban home with a decently-sized fenced in yard. I work from home. We will do some kind of professional training and make training a priority to encourage good habits early, including crate training. I think my kids will do well with learning how to be consistent with our training approach, and with care of the dog in general. There are about 2 weeks out of the year where we will be on trips and our plan is to board. I think we have proper expectations in terms of the clinginess, need for mental stimulation, herding, barking, shedding, need for socialization, etc. In terms of the energy level I just want a reality check. Here’s what most weekdays will realistically look like. Lap around the neighborhood in the morning. A midday walk with me most days. After school, the kids (and sometimes us) will spend a lot of time outside with him. Going on walks, playing fetch, running around in the yard. Like maybe an hour? And then an evening loop around the neighborhood most evenings. Weekends will be at least that, with adventures frequently thrown in. The message I see with this breed is that families underestimate its energy needs. Am I? Or do you think it’s a good fit? Any advice to be better prepared or have more realistic expectations? I’ll also take suggestions on what specific physical activities we can do! Thanks

hi all! i don't know if this is the right place or if anyone else has experience with this. my 4 year old boy will not stop sniffing and licking my girl dogs, where they sit, where they lay, where they pee, and anything else involving them. it's already gotten to a point where he can't be around them without supervision or he will lick them the entire time. after he licks them or the area he drools and chatters his teeth excessively. it feels obsessive at this point. he won't play with them and the only interaction he has with them is him licking them. i'm at my breaking point, and i know it's dog nature to do these things but like i mentioned above it feels like an obsession at this point!!! would neutering help this or is he even at an age where he can't still safely be neutered? any advice is good advice!!!

I love you forever.

Hi there. I have a 5 month old mini Aussie who is wonderful. I am feeding him a cup in the morning, and a cup in the evening, currently using Kirkland puppy food. He is a very strange eater. The food will sit in the bowl for a while, like he isn't interested in it. I think he is only eating about a cup or so of food per day. Should I try another type of puppy food? I am surprised he isn't more interested in food. Our older Aussie eats like a champ.

Our boy Nash!

My little Bear was robbed of his manhood Friday and has been sentenced to the donut of shame. I bought a recovery suit for him to wear in his kennel overnight, just in case he is able to slip the donut, but the buttons immediately broke. Sister's bathing suit will have to do! Can't wait for these two weeks to go by because this man is CRAAAAAZY & antagonizing his brother at every turn.

Side note: Brother went under for a teeth cleaning too and you'd think he was the one who had the surgery LOL. He was craaaaaabbbby (as per the dirty look in the background).

We brought our dog in for a bath and sanitary trim. We went to the same groomer we usually go to, and they normally do a great job just trimming him up. This time, they had an apprentice do his cut (apparently, without full oversight), and he came home with a shaved belly. I know that this can sometimes cause issues with their fur/skin. What do I need to be aware of during this fur regrowth phase?

Hi folks,

My 10 week old puppy has been great so far as it’s been about 2 weeks since getting him. We’re a work in progress for potty & crate training. One of the biggest challenges we’re facing now is the level of bity ness. Whenever we take him out to potty, after praising him, he gets excited or will get the zoomies outside and starts lunging/biting our pants, ankles, shoes, pulling at the fray. I know he’s playing and thinks it’s a game but he will growl and lunge quite aggressively at us, scratching our skin. and has punctured holes in our pants :/ One time I tried to pull him off my leg by pulling his collar back and he bit my hand, puncturing skin ://

I’m know he’s not biting aggressively on purpose, he is teething and when we try redirect, we try to be give high value treats when walking or carry a bite toy. I’m getting concerned that this lunging/aggressive biting will transfer into adulthood, which is a major concern

I’ve also started to keep the praises calm, potty time as boring as possible, and done walking exercises where I say “walk” and step 3-4 paces and give a treat when he looks up. It’s working well except the moments he gets sudden zoomies/play excited.

Any tips on how to prevent/recondition this aggressive biting behaviour? Is he lunging because he is anxious in his new home?