The Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Australian Shepherd are distinct and separate breeds although these dogs share a common history. The Australian Shepherd, a handsome mottled coated breed is believed to have originated from the dogs of the Basque people that migrated to United States via Australia during the 1800s. Breed name is a misnomer as an Australian Shepherd is actually an American made dog. The Miniature Australian Shepherd was developed from the Australian Shepherd. Until the 1960s, the Mini Aussies history is exactly the same as its parent breed. Fanciers of the breed have started developing a new breed from smaller Aussie specimens. In the early 1970s, a smaller breed distinct from the standard Aussie was developed.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a handsome breed. With the solid red, black or the exotic blue and red merle coat, what the breed lacks in height is more than made up by the dogs well balanced admirable looks. The alert and intelligent expression of the mismatched gaze will never fail to earn the dog second looks.
A Miniature Australian Shepherd is an affectionate breed, a perfect choice for a dog lover living in an apartment. The dogs intelligence though can be its downfall. A Mini Aussie is a very agile breed. It also has a happy go lucky personality. This should make the dog a good candidate for agility training. However, apart from having a stubborn streak, the dog is known to manifest a shy manner at times. Training the dog can be a challenge. An owner has to remember that the dog is accustomed to working the sheep. Jumping and scaling obstacles, playing dead or rolling over can simply be beyond the dignity of the dog. Rather than a heavy hand, a lot of patience and a cajoling manner would make the dog respond well to training sessions. But apart from this concern, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is really the perfect pet that is if you will not be daunted by the need to ensure that the exercise requirement of the dog is met and you are not adverse to some dog hair in your clothes, in your furniture and even on your coffee.
Appearance
Except for the size, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is identical to the standard sized Australian Shepherd. This well balanced dog has a square shaped appearance given that this is a very slightly longer than tall breed. A Mini Aussie is a double coated breed. The straight or slightly wavy top coat is moderate in length and rather coarse to the touch. Undercoats denseness and thickness varies with the climate. The head, ears, the front of forelegs are covered with smooth short hair. Longer hair at the back of forelegs forms moderate feathering. Hind legs have moderately full breeches. It will be noticed that males have more prominent mane and frill. Strong, rich and clear colors create more coat varieties and individuality of specimens. The more common coat colors are solid black, solid red (liver), red merle and blue merle. Dogs with white markings and copper points are truly impressive looking specimens.
The square shaped head complement the dogs square shaped body. Seen from the top, the skull appears to be flat. Its length is equal to the length of the muzzle. The muzzle that is well proportioned to the head slightly tapers to the rounded tip. A Mini Aussie has a moderate well defined stop. Strong white teeth meet in a scissor bite. Triangular ears with slightly rounded tips are set on high. Medium sized almond shaped eyes are set obliquely and showing an alert and intelligent expression. Eye colors range from blue, brown, amber or a combination of these colors. This breed has a well proportioned body. The medium length clean firm neck is slightly arched and set well into the shoulders. The muscular body has a level topline, a deep chest with well sprung ribs, strong broad loins and a moderately sloping croup. A Miniature Australian Shepherds tail should not be more than 3 inches in length.
Personality
A Miniature Australian Shepherd is a sweet tempered breed. This breed has a forever puppy personality making it an ideal choice for a kids playmate and companion. The dog will be a patient and loving protector of the children. This dog has an innate eagerness to please and seem to immediately know what the master wants. As with any other breed, early socialization and obedience training is necessary. A Mini Aussie is not dog aggressive but being a herding breed, it has the tendency to herd animals and people (especially strangers) by nipping their heels. These small individuals, unlike their progenitors would do well in apartments as long as the dog is provided with opportunities to exercise. A Miniature Australian Shepherd is no lap dog. This small dog will not be satisfied with being idle all day. These dogs need human attention. By keeping the dog occupied, the development of destructive behaviors will be prevented.
Care
If you are considering having a Miniature Australian Shepherd for a pet, you have to be aware that this small bundle of joy would require high maintenance. The need to take the dog to a professional groomer weekly may not be necessary as you can do the grooming yourself. To maintain the good condition of the coat frequent thorough brushing will be necessary. This breed sheds heavily all year round so the vacuum cleaner will be your best friend. A Mini Aussie is a highly energetic breed. Being a working dog, it will appreciate being given a task to do. If the dog is kept solely as a pet be prepared to spend a lot of your time in the dog park.
History
An Australian Shepherd, a breed of herding dog attained enormous popularity after the Second World War when horse shows and rodeos became a widely accepted entertainment in the western part of United States. The Aussie as the breed is fondly called was introduced to the public through these riding shows. Australian Shepherds became even more popular when the dog was featured in Disney movies. Not many people know however, that the Australian Shepherd name is a misnomer. The Australian Shepherd is a made in America breed. These outstanding dogs are not even recognized in Australia. As what is customary, people cant get enough of a thing that is too good. Owning Tea cup dogs have become a status symbol. Miniature breeds are usually owned by the affluent. In 1968, Doris Cordova of Norco, California started the development of a miniature variation of the Australian Shepherd. The breeding program aims to develop a smaller bundle of the great package.
Being a variation of the Australian Shepherd, the origin of the Miniature Australian Shepherd is closely linked to the origin of the standard breed. The Australian Shepherds does not have a precise origin. Development of this breed is believed to have started in the late 1800s when early settlers to the American colonies coming from Scotland, Great Britain, Spain, Australia and Latin America flocked to North America bringing with them herding dogs to manage the massive flocks of sheep. Herding dogs were as well brought by the Australian emigrants but the Australian Shepherd is believed to have developed from the herding dogs of the Basque Shepherds coming from the Pyrenees Mountain of Spain. The reason why the breed was given the Australian Shepherd name was not known although it is highly probable that this happened when the Basque people have left the Basque country for other parts of the world, these sheepherding and ranching people have passed Australia. Whatever the origin, these dogs were highly valued for the service they render to the local ranchers by efficiently working the sheep, cattle and other livestock.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a recently developed breed. First specimens of this toy breed were born in the late sixties. Small Australian Shepherds obtained by Doris Cordova from the rodeo circuit became the foundation stock for this breed. The programmed breeding produced standard sized dogs as well as puppies measuring from 13 to 14 inches. These dogs that were called Miniature Aussies have attracted the attention of breed enthusiasts as although miniature in size, the newly developed breed possess the intelligence, the drive and the superior herding instinct of the standard size. The National Stock Dog Registry was the first registry to accept the Mini Aussie. The breed became very popular as the dog is a joy to work with. In 1990, the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA was formed. However, the breed is not recognized by the Australian Shepherd Club of America. The American Kennel Club not only does not recognize the breed as a variant of the Australian Shepherd but do not support the breeding of the Miniature Australian Shepherd as well.