Toy Australian Shepherd vs Prazsky Krysarik - Breed Comparison

The Pražský Krysařík is a small breed of dog from the Czech Republic.

You won’t find this dog outside the Czech Republic, which is a pity, because as one of the smallest breeds, it’s a great choice for people with small properties.

It’s not a new breed, and there are records of it having been around in the Middle Ages, being valuable for catching rats.

The breed went through a decline in the 1980s, but their breeding program was started, although it isn’t an FCI acknowledged breed.

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 Pražský Krysařík is a small dog standing at between 20 and 23cm in height and weighing between 1.5 and 4kg.

The Prazsky Krysarik may be small, but he is robust with a broad chest and a lean body with a fragile, lizard like head, much like a Chihuahua. The legs are fragile and thin. The ears are fairly large and erect and he has a long tail. The coat is short, thin and glossy and is mostly black and tan.

Temperament:

The Prazsky is known for its playful, lively nature, and they’re spunky and intelligent dogs too and will be more than capable of being trained and socialized.

Even though he is such a tiny dog, it will be to his benefit to have him trained and socialized.It makes the dog well balanced and they become well behaved so you can take them anywhere.

They are such friendly, social little dogs too and they love being around their human family. They certainly don’t like being left in the backyard, cut off from their human companions.

They're small enough to be indoors a lot, being able to easily slot into life in the city or in the countryside. They get on well with children and other pets but kids will have to be taught how to treat him with kindness and respect, as those tiny little legs could snap.

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.

A Prazsky is a dog just like any other – he just wants to be a member of the family. He badly wants the love and attention of his human family but he wants to give love and attention in return too.

They make wonderful pets and he is more than willing to put aside playing outdoors to come inside and just be by your side.

These little dogs are a great choice for those looking for a small-sized dog. They’re such friendly, responsive little dogs and they don’t come with many health-related issues. The Prague Ratter adapts well to city or country living and he is prepared to be loyal and loving wherever you take him.

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.

The Prazsky is a robust dog but there are some diseases that can affect a dog, and skin symptoms such as itchiness or an unusual lump will need to be seen to.

Other problems such as excessive drooling, cloudy eyes with discharge, distended abdomen and discolored gums are all reasons to seek the help of your vet. Small dogs like this tend to be prone to dental disease, so keep an eye on his teeth.

Some people look at buying health insurance because they know too well that veterinary costs can add up quickly, even for a tiny little dog like this.

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.

Diet:

It doesn’t matter what size dog you have, each one requires high quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared.

Portion sizes should be appropriate to your dog’s size and activity levels. Dogs thrive on simplicity when it comes to food as this prevents them having digestive problems. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and sweet potatoes, spinach and carrots all chopped up and added to your dog’ dry kibble as a treat every now and again will do wonders for your pet.

Fresh, cool water should always be available to your pet around the clock.

Grooming:

The short, smooth coat of the Pražský Krysařík makes him a truly low maintenance little dog. Just give him a brush twice a week and wipe him down with a damp cloth and he’ll always be gleaming like a new penny.

Have his nails trimmed and always check his teeth during these grooming sessions. Smalls dogs battle with dental disease, and this can cause havoc in the body of your small pet.

Exercise:

Walk your tiny pet at least once a day. It just gives him the chance to sniff around a bit and see the world in a new light. He doesn’t require a lot of physical activity, but they will still need regular exercise to stave off obesity.

Get your Pražský Krysařík spayed or neutered if you’re not intending to allow your pet to have puppies. These little dogs can have between 1 – 3 puppies. There are many pros to this procedure for dogs.

Make sure his vaccinations are up to date to avoid some of the deadly dog diseases you get such as parvo-virus, distemper and rabies.

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.