Miniature Australian Shepherds

Miniature Australian Shepherds is a variety of the full-sized breed. Its history began in the 1960s when a woman in California acquired small Australian Shepherd puppies and decided to preserve their size in future generations of the Australian Shepherd. The breeding program was based on inbreeding. The only thing the breeding stock was selected for was a smaller size. It resulted in a wide range of body size in the same litter. Siblings of the first generations varied from 13 to over 20 inches at the withers.

Over decades, the popularity of Miniature Australian Shepherds has grown. There appeared many breeders who selected the smaller breeding stock to produce mini puppies. To improve the gene pool after several generations of inbreeding, Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs were crossbred with full-sized purebred dogs. Like many years ago, reputable breeders focus on the herding ability and correct temperament of the Australian Shepherds, though they are rarely used for their original purpose. Miniature Australian Shepherds are very protective and have a herding instinct, but they are unlikely to cope with a herd of sheep or defend the property from intruders.

The miniature variety possesses the temperament and working abilities and characteristics of the Australian Shepherd dogs. Miniature Australian Shepherds are good at agility, conformation, tracking, obedience, Schutzhund, herding and other dog sports. They make loving companions for active people and fit into any lifestyle. The size of these dogs allows keeping them indoors, if they are provided with enough exercise outdoors.

The registries that accept smaller Australian Shepherd dogs are the NSDR and the ASCA. Miniature variety can be shown in competitions organized by these registries. The first Miniature Australian Shepherd was shown in 1993, the next year after the official recognition of the full-sized breed. Being a variety of the Australian Shepherd, smaller dogs cannot be registered as a separate breed. Some enthusiasts tried to name this variety the North American Shepherd and seek for the AKC recognition. The MASCA was formed to promote the smaller variety of the Australian Shepherd under its original name. Miniature Australian Shepherds are not accepted by the AKC.