Couple buys a "Mini Aussie," then starts wondering what breed their dog really is

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Briana Viser • Writer and Editor
Jul 19, 2026 9:00 AM EDT

What breed is the dog?

There are endless types of dogs, and they're all so differently. It really matters what the breed is, not only in appearances, but in personality, behavior, and intelligence. Take a golden retriever versus a chihuahua. There's a reason there's the stereotype of a "golden retriever boyfriend," because they're known for being smiley, friendly, and always in a good mood. A Chihuahua on the other hand is more snappy, with attitude and potentially an inflated sense of power and strength.  In Reddit's r/IDmydog, a couple buys what they believe to be a mini Australian Shepherd, but over time they question if he's pure. They have two poodles already, and they decided to get another dog. The husband came home with the dog as a surprise from a breeder in Kentucky who advertised him as a Mini Aussie. They didn't know much about dogs at the time, and they thought he had a cool looking coat. They never saw the dog's parents, and he's 29 pounds now. They're starting to suspect if he's even an Aussie at all, or if he's something else and mixed. They make this post asking the internet for advice. What do you think, do you think this dog is a mini Aussie? 

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    I have 2 standard poodle that have Akc papers before me and my husband Met. After we met
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    he decided to add another dog bc I had told him I always wanted a small dog and without
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    consulting me and letting me know anything. He got this dog a while back from a breeder in
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    Kentucky who advertised him as a "Mini Aussie." At the time, he didn't know much about dogs
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    and just thought he looked cool. He never saw the parents, and as he's grown to about 29 lbs, I'm
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    starting to suspect he isn't an Aussie at all-possibly a Pom/merle mix or something
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    else entirely. I'm just curious to see what others think he might be based on his appearance. Does this
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    look like a legitimate Aussie mix to you, or does he look like a classic "backyard breeder" mix? Any insights appreciated
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    Talbit01 Merle isn't a breed and many breeds + mutts can carry
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    merle. He really could be anything. Get him a DNA test
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  • Mini Aussie or not, he's super cute. What would you do? Would you keep him or not?

    I would definitely keep because he really is adorable! If they thought he had a cool coat and look before, so why does it matter if he's a Mini Aussie or not? As long as you have love with your dog, and they're not causing issues then the breed shouldn't matter. I love his collection of colors, and he's really a special dog. 

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    Late Masterpiece9874 I think it would be worth getting an embark dna test
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    and testing for breed and health, to see his COI level and to get clarity if you fear health issues from being BYB.
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    Regardless, he's a cutie, I hope you don't love him any less if he turns out not being "pure".
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  • I had a friend go through something similar. She thought she was getting a Golden Doodle puppy, but turns out it wasn't a golden doodle at all! Needless to say she kept the dog because she really fell in love with him. There's nothing cuter than a puppy, and when you're in love there are no words for what you'll do for the pup. It's important to remember these types of things in life. 

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    LeadershipForeign I'll take him before you drop him for being a muggle
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    Tori_Campbell rehome him to someone that will love and groom him. You seem and sound like a miserable person.
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dogs doggos australian shepherd dog adoption
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