Miniature American Shepherd Information & Dog Breed Facts

The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed developed in California which is similar in appearance to a miniature Australian Shepherd. Minis are brilliant, self-motivated workers and endearingly devoted and vivacious companion dogs who have an affinity for horses, despite their small size. The Miniature American Shepherd shares many physical traits with its forebear the Australian Shepherd only on a smaller scale.

Ancestry

The Miniature American Shepherd ‘ is a close relative of the Basque Shepherd and the Australian Shepherd (and of course its miniature version).

The Basque Shepherd Dog, unlike many modern breeds, such as the Miniature American or the Australian Shepherd was not carefully bred for specific qualities or attributes and was instead left to reproduce spontaneously without human involvement. Moreover, it is widely believed that the sheepdog is one of the oldest dog breeds on the planet. In fact, bones of what are assumed to be the ancestors of today's Basque Shepherd Dog have been discovered in Neolithic caves dating back 12,000 years. The species' more contemporary prominence may be seen in fresco paintings dating back to the 16th century.

It was uncommon for Basque shepherds to come to western America to work, some with their dogs. Because few Basque dogs accompanied their shepherds on their journeys, those that did were unavoidably bred with the local American dogs. The Australian Shepherd is said to have sprung from these dogs.

Australian Shepherd appeared around the time of the 1840s Gold Rush, as we know it now in the western United States, mainly in Colorado. The origins of its name are unknown, while some speculate that it has something to do with the merle coat color present in many cross-bred and other pedigrees in Australia.

Another hypothesis is that Spanish immigrants to the United States brought their native dogs with them, but took a convoluted route through Australia, thus the misnomer. The Aussie (as it is also frequently called in the region) has long been a popular farm dog in these areas due to its obedience and ability to herd a variety of livestock. Its intrinsic intelligence allows it to successfully herd cattle, sheep, and even farmed bunnies.

Chronology of breed development

The Miniature American Shepherd was created in the late 1960s in California by mating small, unregistered canines that were mistaken for Australian Shepherds. These dogs were bred with the intention of keeping their petite stature, energetic personality, and intelligence.

Although they have the heart to handle larger animals, such as sheep and goats, the breed has been employed for herding smaller stock such as sheep and goats. Their modest stature was regarded favorably since it allowed them to readily double as domestic pets.

Their intelligence, devotion, and stature made them a great travel companion for equestrians traveling to horse shows. As a result, their popularity grew throughout the country. The Miniature American Shepherd is now widely recognized in the United States and abroad. It's a breed with a distinct personality: a striking, adaptable tiny herding dog that's equally at home on a ranch or in the city.

The breed was first registered with the National Stock Dog Registry in 1980 and gained popularity permanently. Several organizations were established for the breed such as The Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA), which is the designated national parent club of the American Kennel Club.