Toy Australian Shepherd vs Slovakian Hound - Breed Comparison

The Slovakian Hound is also known as the Slovenský Kopov or the Black Forest Hound. This is a scenthound which comes from Slovakia in Central Europe and has been bred for boar hunting.

The breed was first recognized in the 1870s, with dogs such as the Austrian Black and Tan Hound as well as the Hungarian Greyhound being thought to be part of dogs ancestry. The breed club was established in 1988 and is recognized by the FCI.

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 Slovakian Hound is a muscular dog of medium height and with a long tail and long drop ears. The short coat is always black with tan markings.

These compact looking dogs stand in height at about 43 to 47cm and weigh in the region of 14 to 17kg. The face is friendly and the eyes alert and bright.

Temperament:

Independent and intelligent, the Solvakian Hound will learn some basic commands easily. He is adaptable and will fit into life in the countryside as well as the city, so long as he is well exercised.

He is a sociable, playful dog and will do well with children, particularly if he has been trained and socialized. He is also a good choice for the first-time dog owner. He is alert and makes a good watchdog too.

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.

His job as a hunting dog has meant that the Slovakian Hound is a brave, energetic, determined dog.

As a pet and companion, you won’t be disappointed as he puts as much effort into his relationships with his human family as he does with hunting.

This amicable dog makes a wonderfully loyal and devoted pet, companion and guard dog.

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.

Most dogs at some or other time will be faced with a particular health challenge. Most times the veterinarian can fix these problems with the right kind of treatment.

The Slovakian Hound is a healthy dog breed and you aren’t likely to come up with too many problems, though it it wise to be aware of some of the more common dog illnesses there are -

Hearing and Vision Loss:

This is something you can expect as your Slovakian Hound ages. It is brought on by tissue degeneration. With eyes, dogs can develop cataracts. With his ears, consistently cleaning and watching out for ear infections can also help with slowing down hearing loss.

Joint Problems:

Apart from hip dysplasia which can start with even very young dogs, osteoarthritis can cause joint pain and stiffness of joints. It’s a degenerative disease, but fortunately there are a number of treatments to alleviate pain. Remember that nutrition plays a huge role in reducing joint problems in dogs.

Cancer:

Cancer is also a disease that has no respect for the age of the dog or dog breed. When you brush your pet, feel for any unusual lumps. Not all lumps are cancerous but it will be a good idea to have your pet checked over by the vet.

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.

● Like every other dog, the Slovakian Hound will need exercise if he is to remain healthy and fit. There are lots of back-yard games for dogs such as hide and seek and ball and rope games. He will also love a daily walk.

● Always provide your dog with the best food there is as this encourages good health. Your Slovakian Hound requires top quality food, and while there are some good commercially manufactured foods on the market, it is important to choose the high quality ones that have natural, good ingredients in them.

Try to include some home-made food for him which can be simply mixed into the dry kibble twice a week. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots is super tasty and nutritious. Also try to include some raw meat into the diet occasionally as this helps with preventing skin diseases.

Make sure he always has access to clean, fresh water.

● Trim your Slovakian Hound's nails and check his eyes and ears for infection. The inside of the ears shouldn’t be red and the eyes should be clear and bright. If he will allow you to, check inside his mouth too to make sure there are no bad teeth.

● Provide your dog with a warm, dry place to sleep.

● Never, ever leave him in a hot car unattended to.

● Don’t allow your dog to have puppies. There are so many unwanted puppies all over the world. Rather have him or her spayed or neutered to avoid puppies that nobody wants. It is beneficial for his health too.

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.