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Good Natured - Loyal - Intelligent - Versatile
Requirements
Generally these dogs are medium to high energy, and are very intelligent. They were bred to work long hours herding livestock, so we must provide with them a venue to "work" through ample exercise and mental stimulation to ensure they aren't bored! Once these needs have been met, they are very content to sit back and relax with their family.
Generally, they have a natural reserve that exists because of their history, where they were required to protect livestock and their family. Some in the breed are happy to make new friends with anyone, but most will take a while to warm up to new people, and that is perfectly normal. Because of their protective instinct as well they tend to be alert barkers i.e. when the mailman comes to drop off a package, or the pesky raccoons are trying to get into your garbage.
They can be great with children, but both dog and child need to be trained how to interact with one another. As a herding breed, they instinctively want to chase, and even nip small moving objects (which includes children and smaller animals). Owners need to be committed to training desired behaviors and redirecting their herding instinct.
Generally, they have a natural reserve that exists because of their history, where they were required to protect livestock and their family. Some in the breed are happy to make new friends with anyone, but most will take a while to warm up to new people, and that is perfectly normal. Because of their protective instinct as well they tend to be alert barkers i.e. when the mailman comes to drop off a package, or the pesky raccoons are trying to get into your garbage.
They can be great with children, but both dog and child need to be trained how to interact with one another. As a herding breed, they instinctively want to chase, and even nip small moving objects (which includes children and smaller animals). Owners need to be committed to training desired behaviors and redirecting their herding instinct.
History
The Miniature American Shepherd, more widely known as the Miniature Australian Shepherd, was first developed in the late 1960's in California. Smaller size Australian Shepherds were bred with the goal of maintaining the look and temperament of the Australian Shepherd, but in a smaller size.
The breed was first registered as the Miniature Australian Shepherd with the National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR) in 1980. By the early 1990's, the breed had gained nationwide popularity. Several clubs promoted these small dogs, registering, and showing them within various rare-breed organizations. The first parent club and breed registry MASCUSA was formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1993. The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service in May of 2011 as the Miniature American Shepherd. The Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA) is the designated national parent club of the AKC.
The breed has been used to herd smaller stock such as goats and sheep, though they have the heart to tackle larger stock as well. Their small size was favorable, as they could also double easily as a household pet. They became especially popular among equestrians travelling to horse shows, as their intelligence, loyalty, and size make them an excellent travel companion. As others discovered these traits, the breeds popularity spread across the country. Today, the Miniature American Shepherd is established across the US, Canada and internationally. They are an extremely versatile herding breed, suitable for living the ranch, home or city life with the right amount of stimulation.
As of July 1, 2015, they were given the herding designation with the AKC.
They joined the UKC herding group in January 2015
*** September 2017 ***
The CKC has approved the addition of the Miniature American Shepherd to it's list of listed breeds! MAS are now able to register with a Miscellaneous Certification number. As of July 1, 2018, MAS will be eligible to show as a listed breed in group VII.
**July 1, 2018**
The Miniature American Shepherd was able to show in CKC conformation (Group 7) events for the first time! If you'd like to help us move the breed towards full recognition with CKC, please consider joining MASCAN (Miniature American Shepherds in Canada) - if you have any questions, feel free to ask us!
The breed was first registered as the Miniature Australian Shepherd with the National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR) in 1980. By the early 1990's, the breed had gained nationwide popularity. Several clubs promoted these small dogs, registering, and showing them within various rare-breed organizations. The first parent club and breed registry MASCUSA was formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1993. The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service in May of 2011 as the Miniature American Shepherd. The Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA) is the designated national parent club of the AKC.
The breed has been used to herd smaller stock such as goats and sheep, though they have the heart to tackle larger stock as well. Their small size was favorable, as they could also double easily as a household pet. They became especially popular among equestrians travelling to horse shows, as their intelligence, loyalty, and size make them an excellent travel companion. As others discovered these traits, the breeds popularity spread across the country. Today, the Miniature American Shepherd is established across the US, Canada and internationally. They are an extremely versatile herding breed, suitable for living the ranch, home or city life with the right amount of stimulation.
As of July 1, 2015, they were given the herding designation with the AKC.
They joined the UKC herding group in January 2015
*** September 2017 ***
The CKC has approved the addition of the Miniature American Shepherd to it's list of listed breeds! MAS are now able to register with a Miscellaneous Certification number. As of July 1, 2018, MAS will be eligible to show as a listed breed in group VII.
**July 1, 2018**
The Miniature American Shepherd was able to show in CKC conformation (Group 7) events for the first time! If you'd like to help us move the breed towards full recognition with CKC, please consider joining MASCAN (Miniature American Shepherds in Canada) - if you have any questions, feel free to ask us!
Breed Standard
Origin & Purpose
The Miniature American Shepherd is a small size herding dog that originated in the United States. Exceptional agility combined with strength and stamina allows for working over a variety of terrain. This highly versatile, energetic dog makes an excellent athlete with superior intelligence and a willingness to please those to whom he is devoted. He is both a loyal companion and a biddable worker, which is evident in his watchful expression.
General Appearance
He is slightly longer than tall with bone that is moderated and in proportion to body size and height without extremes. Movement is smooth, easy and balanced. The double coat of medium length and coarseness may be solid in colour or merled, with or without white and/or tan (copper) markings. He traditionally has a docked or natural bobtail.
Temperament
The Miniature American Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. An exceptional companion, he is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. Although reserved with strangers, he does not exhibit shyness. He is a resilient and persistent worker, who adjusts his demeanor and arousal appropriately to the task at hand. With his family he is protective, good natured, devoted and loyal.
Size
Size: Height for dogs is 14 inches (35.5 cm) up to and including 18 inches (45.7 cm) at the top of the withers. Height for bitches is 13 inches (33 cm) up to and including 17 inches (43.2 cm) at the top of the withers. The minimum heights set forth in this breed standard shall not apply to dogs or bitches under six months of age.
Proportion: Measuring from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks and from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground, he is slightly longer than tall.
The Miniature American Shepherd is a small size herding dog that originated in the United States. Exceptional agility combined with strength and stamina allows for working over a variety of terrain. This highly versatile, energetic dog makes an excellent athlete with superior intelligence and a willingness to please those to whom he is devoted. He is both a loyal companion and a biddable worker, which is evident in his watchful expression.
General Appearance
He is slightly longer than tall with bone that is moderated and in proportion to body size and height without extremes. Movement is smooth, easy and balanced. The double coat of medium length and coarseness may be solid in colour or merled, with or without white and/or tan (copper) markings. He traditionally has a docked or natural bobtail.
Temperament
The Miniature American Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. An exceptional companion, he is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. Although reserved with strangers, he does not exhibit shyness. He is a resilient and persistent worker, who adjusts his demeanor and arousal appropriately to the task at hand. With his family he is protective, good natured, devoted and loyal.
Size
Size: Height for dogs is 14 inches (35.5 cm) up to and including 18 inches (45.7 cm) at the top of the withers. Height for bitches is 13 inches (33 cm) up to and including 17 inches (43.2 cm) at the top of the withers. The minimum heights set forth in this breed standard shall not apply to dogs or bitches under six months of age.
Proportion: Measuring from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks and from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground, he is slightly longer than tall.