Toy Australian Shepherd vs Eurohound - Breed Comparison

Sled dog racers wanted something unique and hardy in their dogs and the Eurohound seemed to be the dog that fitted the bill.

It was in the 1980s that both Norway and Sweden started crossing the Husky and the Pointer for the first time.

The Eurohound, known also as the Scandinavian hound, is a cross between a German Shorthaired Pointer and an Alaskan Husky as well as other Pointer dogs.

Hailing from Norway, Scandinavia, it isn’t a purebred dog but a cross-breed, and the term ‘Eurohound’ comes from a certain Ivana Nolke so as to distinguish the European racing dogs imported into Alaska.

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 Eurohound is a carefully bred dog considered to be a large dog standing up to 72 cm in height and weighting in the region of 18-24 kg.

With its mission being to be a sled dog, it is constantly being crossbred with other cross- breeds to produce dogs to suit the pulling of sleds. Because both the Husky and Pointers have been used in its breeding, who knows really how its appearance will be as it can vary quite a bit.

There are however, some common features in the dogs such as the half dropped ears. More Eurohounds have black ears with white markings. The dog is a slender breed with a longish face and a long muzzle. Certainly it is known for being a powerful sled dog. The short, shiny dog can be in a number of colors such as cream, beige white, red, black, spotted or patched.

Temperament:

Social, extrovert and energetic, the Eurohound also loves to be busy. Its a dog who forms a strong relationship with its owners, being affectionate and loyal. While he is quite able to live in the city or the country, he essentially needs large premises as he loves to run and be free.

He most certainly isn’t a working dog breed who can be left on his own in the backyard until you need him to pull a sled as he craves your companionship. He is an independent and stubborn dog and therefore training and socialization will b excellent for him as it makes him understand who is boss in the home.

He is a dog who gets on well with other pets in the home as well as children.

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.

Full of bounce, social and extroverted, while also being independent and stubborn, the Eurohound just loves being around his human family, bonding strongly with them, whether they are adults, children or even other pets in the home.

You’ll find that your Eurohound is an intelligent dog too and that he can be easily trained. He loves to be active, so to put him in your backyard and all but forget about him would be cruel. They are loyal, loving dogs who want to be part of all your activities, being ready to walk and run with you whenever the opportunity arises.

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.

Considered as a healthy dog breed and able to live up to 10 – 15 years of age, just some of the most common reported health problems you might find with your Eurohound are hip and elbow dysplasia.

Hip dysplasia is where the joint – the ball and socket – is malformed so that instead of working smoothly it grinds. It is one of the most common skeletal diseases in dogs and large breeds are mostly affected. Hip dysplasia can lead to osteoarthritis, pain and lameness.

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.

The Eurohound is an energetic dog who will require a high-quality nutritious food. Home made dog foods are wonderful but in the event that it isn’t always possible, make sure you buy top quality commercially manufactured food.

Your vet can advise you on the type of food to use for your pet if you are unsure. Certainly, if you feed your dog kibble, take a good look at the ingredient label on the pet food packaging. If you are interested in your dog’s health in terms of food, you will learn about protein/fat ratio and how much moisture is in the food and what vitamins are included.

Remember to occasionally include cooked brown rice, vegetables and chicken as well as some raw meat from time to time.

Grooming:

The Eurohound isn’t a big shedder but you will still need to ensure that you brush his short coat twice a week to keep it in tip top condition.

These are dogs which bond closely with their human family so this grooming period will be therapeutic to him.

Check his ears inside and out for the development of ear infections and brush his teeth twice a week with a special dog toothbrush and tooth paste. Dental disease can cause a host of serious illnesses and you want to avoid this with your dog,

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.