Would a toy Australian Shepherd be capable of going for a 2-4 mile jog/run?

I am interested in getting an Aussie and have been looking at the mini and toy breeds alot. I've been told that the mini's can handle a 5 mile jog no problem, but I have not been able to get any information about whether the toy breed would be able to exercise like that. Any help would be much appreciated. Cheers.Would a toy Australian Shepherd be capable of going for a 2-4 mile jog/run?
haha, this will open a can of worms :)



A "miniature aussie" is also known as a North American Shepherd and has petitioned for akc through FSS, so I wouldn't by from any one who doesn't know this for one.



Email me if you want more information on the breed.



Edit: I'm not real impressed with people breeding toys, they seem to be bybs/puppymills and also breed several other breeds along with those. They seem to be more interested in the money and have no real purpose for the breed. However, if you live somewhere and can adopt one, go for it!



As for jogging, a "toy" probably wouldn't be able to handle it and you're looking at atleast a year before the dog can really go running with you. My dog is 6.5 months and we're just starting to go for short jogs because it's rough on their growing joints. Also, just like with humans, you will need to build up to a jog that long, you can't just jump into it. If you can, try not to jog on pavements/cements/roads etc., because it can cause damage to the pads of their feet.



Add: Loki..what swamp poodles said, she gave me the information as I have NO experience with this stuff...just passing on what I've been told. :) But I'm anxiously waiting to see what will happen!
From what I've seen of them, taking a "Toy Aussie" for a 2-4 mile run would be about the same as taking a Pomeranian. They are fragile, bug-eyed little dogs, who are built to prance rather than move out like an Aussie should. They don't have the structure to run. I doubt a Pom could run 4 miles, and I doubt one of these dogs could, either.



The Minis seem to have a little more in common with a true Australian Shepherd, including structure. If you have to have one (as opposed to getting an actual Australian Shepherd), and you want a dog to run with you, I'd go with the Mini over the Toy.



ADD: Randee, I see no evidence from the AKC that the North American Shepherd is enrolled in the FSS:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/fss_breeds.cfm



ADD2: Okay, now I'm confused. ASCA has applied for FSS through the AKC? ASCA doesn't even like the AKC...it's the USASA that pushed through recognition of the Australian Shepherd. And the Aussie is recognized, so what would ASCA be putting into the FSS?



Perhaps this refers to ASCA asking the AKC to disqualify "undersized" Aussies as a separate breed, since Mini Aussies can't be proven purebred, and some of them are being registered as Australian Shepherds anyway. Apparently there is some flap over a Mini Aussie who is doing a lot of winning in AKC agility.



All I know is that the founding club (in this case, the North American Shepherd Club of the USA -- http://www.namascusa.com/ ) would have to ask the AKC for acceptance into the FSS program. ASCA, which does not represent the Mini Aussie, would have nothing to do with it.Would a toy Australian Shepherd be capable of going for a 2-4 mile jog/run?
Just so you know, the "mini" aussies and "toy" aussies are not "breeds" but runts/crosses of real aussies bred down.



Since this "runt" version of an aussie crossed with a sheltie has no "breed standard", then there is no way to tell what it's temperment will be like.



The best way to get a dog with *proven* temperment is to buy from a reputable breeder. One that does health testing, and has proven breeding stock. Reputable breeders do not breed dogs that are outside of the norm for their breed- meaning undersized dogs, oversized dogs, off colors, etc.



ADD: Loki- I train with a big whig of the Austrailian Shepherd Club of America- it is from her that I have found out that ASCA has applied for FSS status with AKC- she states it has been approved. I'm not sure when it takes effect, but it is in the works.
I'll pass.



Why on earth would I want to pay big bucks for someones breeding mistakes.



Breed has less to do with a dogs ability to run than the individual dogs structure does.

If a dog does not have proper structure, it can not run for 5 miles. An even bigger problem is that so few people know how to identify proper structure. I personally wouldn't even consider going out to find a running mate without first fully understanding how to use the Pat Hastings puppy puzzle to evaluate the pups structure.

http://www.naiaonline.org/issues/Advocat鈥?/a>

http://www.naiaonline.org/articles/archi鈥?/a>

Remember too that Aussies, like Border Collies, are not couch potatoes, and probably turn out to be 'to much dog' for half the people that get one.Would a toy Australian Shepherd be capable of going for a 2-4 mile jog/run?
i dont know how big the toy aussies are but i had a 4 lb pomeranian once that was about a year old and she would go almost a mile and get tired, so, we'd pick her up for about half a mile, then put her down for the rest of the walk... a lot will depend on how hot it is outside as well... good luck...
Whatever breed you get work up to the 2-4 mile jog and don't expect any dog or human to start out being able to jog that far. Puppies won't be able to keep up until they are older and in condition and I think you would do better with a medium to large size dog.
I'd say no..it may be rough on the little one..I have two pomerainans and I can't imagine taking them for a run...walks yes...but not running them