Miniature American Shepherd

The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in the United States in the second half of the 20th century. This highly energetic and sociable dog possesses strong herding instincts, but is primarily considered a companion for active people. It is easy to train, hardy, and sociable. It is suitable for most canine sports. It requires simple but regular grooming. The breed was previously known as the Miniature Australian Shepherd or Mini Aussie.

History of origin

The Miniature American Shepherd is one of the youngest breeds. It was developed in the 1960s in California by selecting small Australian ShepherdsAccording to some reports, they were crossed with various small dogs with similar phenotypes. Doris Cordova of Mink, California, was one of the first to breed miniature Aussies.

The goal of breeding the Miniature American Shepherd is to create a dog with the activity level, intelligence, and talents of the Australian Shepherd, but in a smaller size.

The breed was originally called the Miniature Australian Shepherd, then renamed the North American Shepherd, and finally the Miniature American Shepherd. A breed club was established in 1990. The American Kennel Club (AKC) began registering the MAS in 2011, and the breed received official recognition in 2015.

The history of the origin of the Miniature American Shepherd is inextricably linked with the history of the Australian Shepherd (Aussie).

Appearance

The Miniature American Shepherd is a small dog with a strong, well-proportioned build, but not heavy. It possesses exceptional agility and endurance. Sexual dimorphism is pronounced.

• Height at withers: 35-46 cm;
• Weight: 9-14 kg.

The head is well-defined and dry. The eyes are almond-shaped and may be any color; heterochromia is common. The ears are triangular, set high, medium in size, and raised on cartilage or pulled back in a rose shape. The nose has well-developed nostrils and can be any color. The neck is strong and set well on the shoulders.

The body is strong and moderately elongated. From the withers to the loin, the back is straight, both standing and moving. The croup is moderately sloping. The forelegs are of medium length, straight, parallel, with well-developed thighs. The tail may be long or short from birth and is sometimes docked short.

The coat is double. The outer coat is of medium length and texture, straight or slightly wavy. The undercoat is short, soft, and dense. Colors:

• reddish-white;
• marble;
• brown tricolor;
• black tricolor;
• marble blue.

Character and behavior

The MAO has a balanced, pleasant personality. It's an intelligent, loyal dog, energetic and friendly, full of enthusiasm and curiosity. Very outgoing and social, it gets along well with other pets, including dogs and cats, especially if raised with them. It's patient with small children and makes a great playmate for older children.

The Miniature Shepherd should be viewed primarily as a versatile working dog and companion for active people, not as a toy pet for an apartment or occasional walk.

The Miniature Australian Shepherd loves to work and wants to be useful. She enjoys time with her owner and is eager to train and compete. She often enjoys various retrieving and fetching tasks, and her vocabulary can be as vast as a dog's. border collieThey respond best to positive training methods. When interacting with a miniature shepherd, avoid cruelty and injustice.

Training begins as early as possible; early socialization is crucial, as without it, the dog may grow up nervous or shy. It is generally not shy with strangers. It has a watchdog instinct, but is not capable of guarding due to its size and friendly nature.

The Miniature American Shepherd is suitable for a variety of sports: agility, obedience, herding, search and rescue, rally.

Content Features

The Miniature Australian Shepherd adapts well to apartment and home life, provided it is walked regularly. Furthermore, it is important to provide this intelligent dog with sufficient mental stimulation (training, new tasks, and commands). Physical exercise is essential, with at least 2-3 hours of brisk walks per day. The Miniature Australian Shepherd can be a great companion for jogging and cycling.

Care

The Miniature Shepherd has a fairly long double coat that sheds heavily (heavily in spring and autumn, moderately throughout the year) and is prone to tangling and matting, so it is recommended to brush the dog 1-2 times a week or more often.

Regular grooming is not necessary. For shows, the coat is lightly trimmed and thinned for a neater appearance. Bathe the dog as needed, usually every 7-10 days or less frequently. Grooming also includes nail trimming, ear cleaning, and teeth cleaning.

Health and life expectancy

The Miniature American Shepherd is a healthy breed. Life expectancy is 12-15 yearsHowever, some lines are susceptible to hereditary diseases:

• ophthalmological diseases (progressive retinal atrophy, collie eye anomaly, cataracts);
• hip dysplasia;
• patellar dislocation;
• elbow dysplasia;
• degenerative myelopathy.

Without enough exercise and an unbalanced diet, Miniature American Shepherds are prone to obesity and related health problems.

Where to buy a puppy

Those looking to buy a good American Miniature Shepherd puppy should start their search through breeder clubs, such as those in the US, Canada, Switzerland, or the UK. In Europe, the number of Miniature American Shepherds is growing every year. There is no information on breeders in Russia, but there are imported representatives of the breed.

Price

In America, the average price of a Miniature American Shepherd puppy is $800.

Photos and videos

You can see more photos of American Miniature Shepherd dogs in the gallery.

Video about the Miniature American Shepherd dog breed

Read also:

• Australian Terrier
• Miniature Bull Terrier
• Australian coolie