Appearance of the Aussalier
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| The Aussalier cross is so new that no standard has been established, and there can be many variations, even among the same litter. These are fairly small dogs, usually between 33 and 40.5 centimeters in height and weighing between 7 and 16 kilos, and both tend to be slightly longer than they are tall. The skull need not be domed, but the top of the head can be rounded or flat. The muzzle, eyes and ears of these hybrids can vary considerably. The muzzle itself can range from the Cavalier's full muzzle with well-developed but not pendulous lips to the American Miniature Shepherd's slightly longer, tapering muzzle with close-fitting lips. The alert eyes of the Miniature American Shepherd are almond-shaped and come in brown, blue and combinations of the two, in contrast to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel's characteristic eyes, large round eyes in a melting dark brown that depict their gentle, soft nature. Their ears tend to sit high on their heads, but they can fold forward, or they can hang to the side, and their coats can be straight or wavy, silky or weather-resistant, single or double coated. |
Temperament of the Aussalier
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| Both parent breeds are energetic and generally very trainable, although Miniature American Shepherds sometimes show a certain stubbornness during training sessions. Miniature American Shepherds and Cavalier King Charles Spaniel are very attentive to their families. They can be prone to separation anxiety and do best when part of daily family life, so it would be reasonable to guess that the Aussalier would show the same tendencies. |
Needs and activities of the Aussalier
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| The Aussalier is designed to be a companion dog, so the Miniature American Shepherds used are likely to be chosen primarily for their agreeable nature. This means that dogs bred by responsible breeders should be friendly with most people, although they may show some reserve towards strangers. With proper socialization, they should also be relaxed and playful when meeting children and other animals, although it seems likely that breeding behaviors may emerge if these children or animals happen to be small or fast-moving. |
Maintenance of the Aussalier
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| The coats of the Miniature American Shepherd and the Cavalier King Charles are quite different in texture and length, but their grooming requirements are similar. Bathing is generally retained as needed, and they should be brushed several times a week to avoid tangles and matting. If the coat is more reminiscent of the silky Cavalier coat, conditioner should be used to keep it shiny and silky, but if it is the slightly coarser coat of the Aussie, conditioner is not necessary. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels also grow fur on their feet, which requires brushing and trimming, and your Aussalier may inherit this trait. |
English (United Kingdom)