Hérouxville, Quebec, Canada
About the breed !
The origins
Originally the Miniature American Shepherd (MAS) was only a selection made from "very small" Australian shepherds. After a few generations, the characteristics were fixed. To fully distinguish it from its ancestor, the Australian Shepherd, they fixed the characteristics of this new breed under the name of miniature American Shepherd. The goal of selection is to maintain small size, playfulness and shepherdess skills. It was only very recently in 2011 that the American Kennel Club (AKC) agreed to integrate and therefore to recognize the miniature American Shepherd as a breed in its own right, by integrating it into the Herding Group (Dogs of shepherds) ... alongside his ancestor, the Australian Shepherd. For its part, the Canadian Kennel Club (CCC or CKC) finally recognized the breed in July 2018.
Dogs that call Miniature Australian Shepherds are not recognized as purebred dogs because they are often the result of crossbreeding with dogs of smaller breeds (Chihuahua, Pomeranian, etc.). Just like Australian Shepherds say small / miniature / toy (which are less than 18 inches) which are not standard and non-compliant because Australian Shepherds have no variety of sizes and must measure between 19 and 24 inches at the feet. An Australian Shepherd smaller than 19 inches is neither mini or toy but only non-standard and should not be bred
Characteristics
Size and weight
Texture of her dress (coat)
Texture of her dress (coat)
They are slightly longer than tall with moderate bone in proportion to the size and weight of their bodies.
Height for males - 35.5 cm (14 in.) Up to and including 45.7 cm (18 in.) At the top of the withers.
Height for females - 33 cm (13 in.) Up to and including 43.2 cm (17 in.) At the top of the withers.
Their weight varies on average between 20 and 35 lbs.
Texture of her dress (coat)
Texture of her dress (coat)
Texture of her dress (coat)
Their moderate dress is of medium texture and length, straight to wavy and weatherproof. Their undercoat varies in quantity and according to the seasons. Their hair is short and smooth on the head and on the front of the forelimbs. The back of their forelimbs and their panties are moderately supplied. The mane and frill are more marked in males than in females.
Color coat
Texture of her dress (coat)
Temperament
The colors are varied and unique. The recognized colors are black, red, merle blue and merle red. Each of these colors can be solid, two-color (addition of white or tan) or three-color (addition of white and tan). The blackbird will express itself in any amount of mottling, speckling or stains. White and fire may be present on the head, neck, stomach, legs and tail. WARNING!! The white must not be invasive.
Temperament
Food & health
Temperament
With its expression alert and attentive, Miniature American Shepherd is a dog very intelligent who has all the qualities of a small sheepdog and which he has a instinct pronounced for driving and guard herd. Easy to educate, able to respond to requests varied allowing it to evolve in different sports, the MAS remains yet reserved with people who do him are not familiar. But once he "fact knowledge", it becomes a companion game fabulous and able to real prowess, thanks to its agility and its small size. Like all dogs employable, especially in his profession original, when in situation in front of a herd its behavior change and he moved in auxiliary attentive and tireless.
Food & health
Food & health
Food & health
This solid and rustic dog, like his ancestor, he has no particular feeding problem. Not too greedy, they are generally dogs who know how to manage their quantity. This dog requires regular physical and mental activities in order to keep his good form. His small size, his toilet reduced to the strict minimum, his ability to adapt and listen, greatly facilitate his life and his education in the city. In terms of health, it is advisable to acquire a puppy from sires and lines where the main recommended tests and examinations have been carried out (DM, PRA, MDR 1, etc.). CERF are also essential. The Canadian Kennel Club (CCC or CKC) will be happy to advise you on recognized breeders.
Invasive white or mismark ?
Dogs with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the Aussies.s with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the Aussies.Dogs with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the Aussies.s with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the Aussies.Le
Dogs with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the s with excess white markings are sometimes called invasive whites or bad markings. American Miniature Shepherds with too much white are generally healthy (exceptions are noted below). There are whole breeds that allow much more white than is typical for the Aussies.
Breed standards limit the amount of white markings a Miniature American Shepherd dog is supposed to have. The Canadian Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club note that the areas around the eyes and ears must be "dominated" by a non-white coloring and that the white collar must not extend beyond the point of the withers, with "white stains on the body" listed as a disqualification. The American Kennel Club is very specific: White is allowed on the neck (partial or in full collar), chest, legs, below the muzzle, listed on the head and extended from below to 10 cm on the sides by measuring with a horizontal line at the elbow. White at the head should not predominate and the eyes should be completely surrounded by color and pigment. The AKC standard disqualifies not only white spots on the body, but also white on the back between the withers and the tail or on the sides between the elbows and the top of the rear end. The standards in most other countries are based on the AKC standard.
These restrictions are not made simply to produce a certain look. Aussies who have more white than the authorized amount can have certain health and solidity problems. Puppies from two merle parents who have inherited two copies of the merle gene almost always have significant vision and hearing defects and almost always have more white than what is allowed by standards. Dogs of any color that have a lot of white on or around the ears can be deaf in one or both ears. Pink skin around the eyes, nose or mouth is seen in dogs with excess white and can be prone to sun damage if the dog spends a lot of time outdoors in sunny environments.
If a non-merle dog has excess white and at least one of its parents is not merle, the cause is a combination of white spot genes, which determines the amount of white on the body. The parents of this dog carry the gene (s) which has led to unacceptable markings.
