Miniature American Shepherds

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Miniature American Shepherds We are a small breeder, raising AKC Miniature American Shepherds in home for a wonderful companions ASCA adopted a unified breed standard in 1977.

BREED HISTORY

ORIGIN
Certain early ancestors of today’s Australian Shepherd may have migrated with Basque shepherds from continental Europe directly to North America. The blue merle color phase is still present in the modern Berger des Pyréneés. The breed may have acquired its name via Australia where the Basques are known to have accumulated larger flocks of sheep. By whatever path, Aussies had

arrived in the United States by the late 19th century where the dogs’ qualities became recognized by local ranchers, who used the dogs to work cattle, sheep and other livestock. Working ability was the paramount consideration during the early years, rather than any particular conformation but a distinct breed of moderate coat and size, superb herding instinct and often of unusual blue merle coloring emerged, still bearing a marked resemblance to Pyrenean ancestors, although undoubtedly influenced by various British and American working breeds, such as the Scotch Collie, Border Collie and English Shepherd. The “little blue dogs” were soon highly esteemed on ranches and farms throughout western America. Jay Sisler popularized the Aussie with the American public through his trick dog acts performed at rodeos throughout the United States during the 1950’s and 1960’s. His dogs also appeared in movies and several figure prominently in the pedigrees of the modern Australian Shepherd. The Aussie is a relative newcomer to purebred registries, only being formally recorded since 1957. The first organization to register the Australian Shepherd was the National Stock Dog Registry (AKA International English Shepherd Registry). The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) established recording services in 1971, taking over a majority of Aussie registrations. A Small Australian Shepherd


During the 1960’s, a Californian Australian Shepherd enthusiast acquired several small working Aussies from the rodeo circuit. Intrigued by their compact size, she worked with a veterinarian to develop a breeding program in order to preserve the trait, which quickly resulted in litters producing both dogs only 13 to 14 inches tall as well as larger Australian Shepherds. The smaller dogs eventually became known as “miniature” Australian Shepherds. The mini Aussie soon attracted the attention of experienced Australian Shepherd breeders and eager newcomers. Lines were researched and educated breeding to full-size Aussies was and is strongly encouraged to diversify the gene pool and improve conformation and type of the mini Aussies. Herding instinct, intelligence and drive were preserved and many mini Aussies continue to work a variety of livestock today. Characteristics


The mini Aussie is exactly as its name implies: a small Australian Shepherd with the Aussie’s attentive, energetic temperament, high intelligence and reserve, but never shyness, towards strangers. But while the height of the Aussie varies from 18 to 23 inches, the height of the mini Aussie ranges from 14 to 18 inches with a corresponding weight of approximately 20 to 40 pounds. The Miniature Australian Shepherd’s eager attitude means that working with the mini Aussie is a joy, but their intelligence means that obedience training is highly recommended. The ownership of any dog, especially one of an intelligent breed, should not be taken lightly. Because the Aussie was developed both to herd and guard the flock, the mini Aussies are entirely devoted to their family and make excellent watch dogs and companions. As with all breeds, early socialization is of the utmost importance. The Early Days of Recognition


The first registry to accept the Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety was the National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR): the same to first recognize the Australian Shepherd. Cordova’s Spike, a 15 inch blue merle male, was the first mini Aussie to be registered. Acceptance was next achieved with the now defunct Rare Breed Kennel Club (RBKC) in the 1980’s. Croswhite’s Miss Kitty Fox, a blue merle NSDR registered bitch of true Aussie type, secured the first Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety championship. After the RBKC folded in the early 1990’s, the mini Aussie gained acceptance with the American Rare Breed Association (ARBA). Unfortunately, ARBA regulations stipulated that in order for a breed to qualify for Group and Best in Show competition, it could not have a name associated with an AKC breed. So in 1993, when the Australian Shepherd was granted full show privileges in the AKC’s Herding Group, one group of mini Aussie enthusiasts opted to change the mini Aussie’s name, a move which caused great confusion in the dog world and for the general public and eventually led to the development of a separate and distinct breed from the Australian Shepherd called the North American Shepherd. Dissatisfied with the limited show schedule offered by any one club, enthusiasts attempted to secure wider recognition. However, it soon became apparent that acceptance could not be gained under the new name because it implied a new breed. In actuality, the mini Aussie remained a size variety of the Australian Shepherd, with a continuous genepool, and not a separate breed. Those concerned with maintaining Australian Shepherd heritage, instinct, temperament and type, and interested in pursuing further recognition formed an Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety parent club in order to attain these goals.

02/12/2023

Laredo 🤎🤍🤎🤍

02/12/2023

Cody James 🥰🤍🤍

02/12/2023

Old Gr**go 🤎🤍🤎

02/12/2023

Nocona 🥰🥰🐾

02/12/2023

Ferrini 🤍🐾🤍

02/12/2023

Abilene 💅🤍🤍🤍

02/12/2023

Manicures for all the babies today! 💅💅🥰 & their two week deworming! 🤍🐾 this is Macie Bean, a lovely red Merle girl!
















Gooseberry 🤩🥰 5 weeks old & a playful, snuggly boy! ↠↠↠↠↠↠
13/11/2023

Gooseberry 🤩🥰
5 weeks old & a playful, snuggly boy!
















Handsome little Boysenberry 🐾 just a sweetie!! ↠↠↠↠↠↠
13/11/2023

Handsome little Boysenberry 🐾 just a sweetie!!
















Lingonberry 🤍🐾 This boy is 5 weeks old. He is playful, confident, & snuggly! Not to mention, he’s a beautiful blue merle...
13/11/2023

Lingonberry 🤍🐾
This boy is 5 weeks old. He is playful, confident, & snuggly! Not to mention, he’s a beautiful blue merle with 2 blue eyes!
















Juneberry 🐾 This little girl is 5 weeks old. She is playful yet gentle & pretty as can be! ↠↠↠↠↠↠                       ...
13/11/2023

Juneberry 🐾
This little girl is 5 weeks old. She is playful yet gentle & pretty as can be!
















Mulberry ✨🐾 this little girl is such a sweet little soul. & of course she’s also SO cute 😍 ↠↠↠↠↠↠                       ...
13/11/2023

Mulberry ✨🐾 this little girl is such a sweet little soul. & of course she’s also SO cute 😍
















Strawberry 🍓🐾 I can’t even handle how cute this little girl is. She is little ball of fire & fun! 🥰 ↠↠↠↠↠↠              ...
13/11/2023

Strawberry 🍓🐾
I can’t even handle how cute this little girl is. She is little ball of fire & fun! 🥰
















Raspberry ✨🐾 She’s 5 weeks old & absolutely beautiful! ↠↠↠↠↠↠
13/11/2023

Raspberry ✨🐾
She’s 5 weeks old & absolutely beautiful!
















Blueberry 🫐🥰 She’s 5 weeks old & just stunning. ↠↠↠↠↠↠
13/11/2023

Blueberry 🫐🥰
She’s 5 weeks old & just stunning.
















Juneberry 🤍 almost 4 weeks old! I almost forgot to post this cute little muffin 🥰 how could i?! She is adorable. I think...
08/11/2023

Juneberry 🤍 almost 4 weeks old!
I almost forgot to post this cute little muffin 🥰 how could i?! She is adorable. I think there’s maybe a little blue in one eye. Not sure yet!


















Huckleberry 💕 almost 4 weeks old & he is such a sweetie 🥰 this guy loves to be held & snuggled already! ↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠        ...
08/11/2023

Huckleberry 💕 almost 4 weeks old & he is such a sweetie 🥰 this guy loves to be held & snuggled already!


















Lingonberry 🐾 4 weeks old & oh so handsome. This guy has two blue eyes, bold white markings & beautiful copper points. I...
08/11/2023

Lingonberry 🐾 4 weeks old & oh so handsome. This guy has two blue eyes, bold white markings & beautiful copper points. I just love watching him grow up ❤️


















Boysenberry 🥰 almost 4 weeks old & he is a DARLING little boy 🥹 his little face is just too darn cute. ↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠         ...
08/11/2023

Boysenberry 🥰 almost 4 weeks old & he is a DARLING little boy 🥹 his little face is just too darn cute.

















Strawberry 🍓 almost 4 weeks old! I don’t usually have favorites but there’s just something about this little girl that I...
08/11/2023

Strawberry 🍓 almost 4 weeks old! I don’t usually have favorites but there’s just something about this little girl that I absolutely adore. Don’t tell the others! 🤣🥰


















Blueberry 🫐 she’s almost 4 weeks old & she is adorable! I’m thinking maybe one full blue eye & one with some blue flecks...
08/11/2023

Blueberry 🫐 she’s almost 4 weeks old & she is adorable! I’m thinking maybe one full blue eye & one with some blue flecks. Not quite sure yet! Beautiful either way 🤩


















Raspberry ✨ almost 4 weeks old & she is absolutely stunning. I think both eyes are blue. ↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠                       ...
08/11/2023

Raspberry ✨ almost 4 weeks old & she is absolutely stunning. I think both eyes are blue.


















Mulberry 🥰 almost 4 weeks old! She just keeps getting cuter! ↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠
08/11/2023

Mulberry 🥰 almost 4 weeks old! She just keeps getting cuter!


















🌋 Female, long tail8 weeks old (Timber x Kali)↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠
09/08/2023

🌋 Female, long tail
8 weeks old (Timber x Kali)


















🌋 Male, NBT8 weeks old (Timber x Kali)↠↠↠↠↠↠↠↠
09/08/2023

🌋 Male, NBT
8 weeks old (Timber x Kali)


















09/08/2023
Female, NBT Spoken For! 5 weeks old Please PM for additional information on availability ↠↠↠↠↠↠                         ...
25/07/2023

Female, NBT Spoken For!
5 weeks old

Please PM for additional information on availability
















26/09/2022

Crate training day for our puppies. It was funny but a little better now

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