Greggles Miniature American Shepherds

About the Miniature American Shepherd

 

The Miniature American Shepherd has roots from the Australian Shepherd. It is a compact dog with a strong work ethic. As such, they have been lauded by enthusiasts as an excellent choice for dogs sports such as herding, agility and flyball.

 

Intelligent, willing to please, and devoted, the Miniature American Shepherd is a herding dog that can be an excellent family pet. Owners must devote time to socialization and training to direct the breeds strong working instincts and drive. They are naturally wary of strangers but should not be shy, and they are able to adjust their demeanor to given situations, whether work or play. The breed responds well to obedience training and has a natural sensitivity that makes it a good choice for therapy work, search and rescue and various dog sports.

 

Breed History

 

"The Miniature American Shepherd is the AKC breed name for the Miniature Australian Shepherds entering AKC. For many years,  it has been an AKC policy to no longer accept size varieties of an already established AKC breed.  Because the Australian Shepherd is already established within AKC, and because their AKC parent breed club (USASA-United States Australian Shepherd Association) did not wish to recognise the Miniature Australian Shepherd as a legitimate size variety, the Mini Aussie continued to meet roadblocks with regard to AKC recognition.   However, through negotiations between USASA, AKC, and NAMASCUSA (North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA--a parent breed club for Miniature Australian Shepherd), an agreement was reached that allowed the Miniature Australian Shepherd to enter AKC under the breed name Miniature American Shepherd, with NAMASCUSA as the parent breed club in AKC (now called MASCUSA--Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA).  AKC recognition became a reality, with the first Miniature American Shepherds registered into the AKC FSS program in June 2011.  These are the same dogs, with the same pedigrees, that were registered as Miniature Australian Shepherds through various other registries previously (NSDR, ASDR, MASCA, NAMASCUSA, IMASC).  AKC will also allow AKC registered Australian Shepherds to transfer to the "new breed" for an initial period of three years, if they feel they will be better served as a Miniature American Shepherd.

The journey of the Miniature Australian Shepherd's recognition by AKC as the Miniature American Shepherd to AKC recognition has not been without controversy.  As with any change, there are many passionate people on both sides of the AKC fence.  There are still those that do not desire AKC registration, and will continue registering their dogs as Miniature Australian Shepherds through the various Mini Aussie registries.
I have decided to register my dogs under the new Miniature American Shepherd breed name which in future, will give them and their offspring full access to AKC/FCI events. At the moment they are exactly the same breed as the Mini Aussie and bred from the same dogs. 

In May 2014 the MAS was moved into the breed registry within the AKC which will give them full AKC recogniton. This is going to be a big step towards FCI recognition in Europe & Hopefully KC registration in the near future!"

 

Written & Copyrighted by Fran Albisser (Basileas Minis)