The Australian Shepherd: The history of the North American/Miniature Australian Shepherd actually begins with the history of the Australian Shepherd. Though most facts are shrouded in time, the most commonly held belief on the origins of the Aussie begin in the late 1800's when western ranchers were importing sheep from Australia. During this period the most popular sheep were being imported into Australia from the Basque regions of Spain. When the herds were shipped, their shepherds were sent with them to manage and care for the flocks on the journey. As the Australian's reputation for quality sheep grew, the demand for their sheep grew also and American ranchers began importing them. The livestock were shipped to the Americas, again accompanied by the Basque shepherds and their herding dogs. Ranchers of the American west were reportedly very impressed with the working ability of these "little blue dogs" and began interbreeding them with their own shepherd dogs. The result was the American Shepherd.
In 1976, a single Breed Standard for the Australian Shepherd was adopted and in 1980 the two major breed clubs consolidated to become the Australian Club of America (ASCA). Unrecognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) at that time, ASCA not only provided a registry for the Aussie, but held conformation, obedience, agility, and working trials. Although the AKC now recognizes the Australian Shepherd, ASCA continues to provide these activities to the Australian Shepherd and is currently the largest single breed registry in the United States.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd was developed directly from the Australian Shepherd. Throughout the history of the Aussie, small (under 18") dogs can be seen in historical photographs. Many believe that the original Aussie was selectively bred larger as sheep ranching decreased and cattle ranching increased. Cattle ranchers preferred a larger dog to work the larger stock. Some Aussie owners have continued to prefer the smaller sized Aussie while others prefer the larger.
In 1968 a horse woman in Norco, California, began a breeding program specifically to produce very small Australian Shepherds. Her name was Doris Cordova, and the most well known dog from her kennel is Cordova's Spike. Spike was placed with Bill and Sally Kennedy, also of Norco, California, to continue to develop a line of miniature Aussies under the B/S kennel name. Another horseman, Chas Lasater of Valhalla Kennels soon joined the ranks of mini breeders.
Cordova, Lasater and the Kennedy's together attempted to form the first parent club for the miniatures. Although the club never quite got off the ground, their stated purpose for developing the miniatures was to produce an Australian Shepherd under 17" who had the heart, intelligence and drive to work stock, and yet be small enough to travel easily to stock shows and be a "house" dog.
Cordova's dogs were registered through the National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR) and eventually NSDR come to be the first registry to recognize and register the mini as a size variety of the Australian Shepherd.
Originally recognized in (1989-1990) they were shown with the RBKC of Southern California (Rare Breed Kennel Club) as Miniature Australian Shepherds. The miniature gained in popularity and the owners and breeders missed the cohesive nature of a parent club dedicated to the miniature, so in 1990, the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA) was formed. Kathy Croswhite (Munson), Jeanine Perron, Florence Toombs, Susan Sinclair and Richard VanBurkleo served as the first Board of Directors, and one of MASCUSA's most notable early achievements during that time, was to gain recognition of the miniature by the American Rare Breeds Association (ARBA) to provide a Nationally recognized conformation show venue.
Now with the recognition of the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA) the Miniature Australian Shepherds showed along side the Australian Shepherd until 1993, when the AKC officially recognized the Australian Shepherd. The American Rare Breed Association's policy at that time was not to allow any breed of dog to show with them (except in exhibition) that had the same name as an AKC affiliated breed and suggested that we change our name. Amid mixed reactions MASCUSA opted to change the name of our dogs from Miniature Australian Shepherd to North American Shepherd, for the sole purpose of keeping ARBA as one of our main show venues. At the same time, the club amended its name to North American Miniature Australian Club, USA, while also retaining the name Miniature Australian Club, USA as an a.k.a The breed flourished over the next five years and grew under this name both in the US and Canada.
In the beginning of 1998, ARBA changed their breed name policy and through much consideration and discussion on the part of our club members and the Board of Directors of NASCUSA, formerly MASCUSA, Miniature Australian Shepherd was incorporated back into the name of our dogs, thus becoming the North American "Miniature Australian Shepherd."
Today, breeders of the Miniature Australian Shepherd continue to strive to produce Aussies of a smaller stature. Preservation of the herding instinct as well as the intelligence and athleticism of the mini is a priority in breeding programs, as well as continuing the reputation for health and easy companionship that the mini enjoys.
Miniatures are quickly gaining in popularity among Agility, Flyball and Disc competition enthusiasts as their attributes of small size and amazing athletic ability makes them very competitive and easy to travel with. In the suburbs and cities, families wanting a big dog are attracted to the "big dog" qualities of the miniature Australian Shepherd, in a smaller package.
Published by the North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA
as adopted by the membership in May, 2002
Disqualifications: Toy like features (i.e. domed head, bulging eyes, fine bone)
CHARACTER: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers, but does not exhibit shyness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness towards people or animals is intolerable.
Disqualifications: Viciousness Fault: Undue shyness
HEAD: Clean-cut, strong, dry, and in proportion to the body. The top skull is flat to slightly rounded, its length and width each equal to the length of the muzzle, which is in balance and proportioned to the rest of the head. The muzzle tapers slightly to a rounded tip. The stop is moderate, but well defined.
TEETH: A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissor bite. An even bite is a fault.
Teeth broken or missing by accident are not penalized.
Disqualification: Undershot bites; overshot bites exceeding one-eighth (1/8) inch
EYES: Very expressive, showing attentiveness and intelligence. Clear, almond-shaped, and of
moderate size, set a little obliquely, neither prominent nor sunken, with pupils dark, well defined
and perfectly positioned. Color is brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof
including flecks and marbling.
EARS: Set on high at the side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip, of moderate
size with length measured by bringing the tip of the ear around to the inside corner of the eye.
The ears, at full attention, break slightly forward and over from one-quarter (1/4) to one-half (1/2)
above the base.
Severe Faults: Prick or hound-type ears
NECK AND BODY: The neck is firm, clean and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the crest, setting well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The top line appears level at a natural four-square stance. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well sprung. The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is moderately sloping, the ideal being thirty (30) degrees from the horizontal. Tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
FOREQUARTERS: The shoulder blades (scapula) are long and flat, close set at the withers, approximately two fingers width at a natural stance, and are well laid back at an angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. The elbow joint is equidistance from the ground to the withers. The legs are straight and powerful. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails are short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS: Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The metatrisi are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear dewclaws are removed.
COAT: Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quality of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of the ears, front of the forelegs and below the hocks. Backs of the forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.
Severe fault: Non-typical coats
COLOR: All colors are strong, clear and rich. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or (copper) points with no order of preference. The blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims. Reds and red merles have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. Butterfly nose should not be faulted under the age of one year. On all colors the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color other than white. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point at the withers.
Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors, white body splashes. Dudley nose.
GAIT: Smooth, free and easy; exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced, ground covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the center line of the body; as speed increases, the feet, both front and rear, converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog, while the top line remains firm and level.
SIZE: Height for dogs and bitches is 14 inches up to 18 inches at the top of withers. Quality not to be sacrificed in favor of size within the guidelines of this breed standard.
Severe fault: under 14 inches and over 18 inches.
For preferred height read Breed Standard Guidelines Booklet
DISQUALIFICATION'S:
- Monorchidism and Crytorchidism
- Toy like features (i.e. domed head, bulging eyes, fine bone)
- Other than recognized colors, white body splashes, Dudly nose.
- Viciousness
- Undershot bites; overshot bites exceeding one-eighth (1/8) inch
Temperament: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is loyal, affectionate, and easy going. They are lively, playful, and alert. They are deeply devoted and naturally protective. This breed gets along well with older children though should be watched around smaller children due to their exuberance and herding instincts. They are wary and suspicious of strangers and will warn their familiy of danger or unusual noises. They are typically not aggressive to other dogs.
Care: This breed is relatively easy to groom. Occational brushing with a firm bristle brush will suffice. Bathing should only be done when necessary; Miniature Aussies do not have the typically doggy smell.
Training: Early socialization and obedience are necessary and beneficial for the Miniature Australian Shepherd. They are quick to learn and easy to train. As with any dog, training methods should be geared towards the individual's personality for best results. Consistency along with firmness is key. Mini Aussies excel in agility, conformation, fly-ball, Frisbee, herding, and as therapy dogs.
Activity: Miniature Australian Shepherds require a lot of exercise and stimulation. They thrive on being given a job to do. Compaired to standard-sized Australian Shepherds they are calmer, however, if they are left alone for extended periods of time without proper exercise they can become high-strung and destructive. It is best to crate your pet if you must be away for any extended length of time. Mini Aussies enjoy family play sessions, long walks, and the ability to run freely in a securely fenced in yard. They will do okay in an apartment setting provided they are sufficently exercised and entertained.
Lifespan: 12 - 13 years
NSDR (National Stock Dog Registry)
ASDR (American Stock Dog Registry)
CKC (Continental Kennel Club)
MASCA (Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America)
NAMASCUSA (North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA)
