“Americas Dogs” (Miniature American Shepherd)

The history of the "Miniature American Shepherd" coincides with the history of the "Australian Shepherd". Their early ancestors were herding dogs that accompanied the Basque shepherds and sheep herds from the (Basque regions of Spain) to Australia. In the late 1800's, the ranchers from the great American west imported the most popular sheep herds from Australia. The Basque shepherds and their herding dogs accompanied the sheep, to manage and care for them on their journey. The American ranchers were so impressed with the working ability of the "little blue dogs". They began crossing them with their own herding dogs to herd their sheep as well as their cattle. For many decades, this intelligent versatile breed has been greatly valued by cowgirls, cowboys, ranchers and stockman. With their athletic ability the full size, as well as the Mini Aussies have continued to excel as working stock dogs, competing in herding trials, agility, tracking, fly ball, obedience and rally obedience.

In the late 1960's, California breeders (Doris Cordova, Bill & Sally Kennedy -"B/S Kennel", and Chas Lasater- "Valhalla Kennel" researched and developed a breeding program using a select group of the smallest Aussies to create the "Miniature Australian Shepherd" breed. Their goal was to produce an Aussie (under 17 inches) with the heart, intelligence, and drive to work stock, and yet be small enough to live in their home and comfortably travel to shows. The Mini's are a "mirror image" of the larger Aussie, exhibit all of their attributes, and have the advantage of a smaller stature and a great sense of humor.

Starting in 1968, the Miniature Aussies were registered as (a size variety of the Australian Shepherd) with "The National Stock Dog" (NSDR) registry located in Butler, Indiana. "Cordova Spike" a 15 inch blue merle male was the 1st Mini Aussie registered.

In 1976, The "Australian Shepherd Club of America" (ASCA) established recording services and held dog shows for exhibition (conformation, obedience, agility and herding trials). They adopted a unified "breed standard" in 1977. In 1996, The "Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America" (MASCA) was founded to educate owners, register, promote and show the Mini Aussie.

The "American Stock Dog Registry" (ASDR) was created as an alternative registry program for all three sizes of the Australian Shepherds as well as other working stock dog breeds. The dogs registered in ASDR can show their dogs in the following show venues: "International All Breed Canine Association"(IABACA),"American Rare Breed Association" (ARBA), and "International Canine Kennel Club" (ICKC). 

                                    THE THREE SIZE VARIATIONS ARE:

                           STANDARD AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS 18 to 23 inches tall

                           MINIATURE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS 14 to 18 inches tall

                           TOY AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS 10 to 14 inches tall

The "North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA" (NAMASCUSA) was formed in 1990 to develop, register, and promote the Miniature Australian Shepherd breed. Their aspiration was to advance the breed by broadening the gene pool. They used complementary pedigrees and genetics to enhance the breed standard. In 2011, NAMASCUSA is the parent club representing the "Miniature American Shepherd" and promoting the process of breed recognition, as it is admitted into the "The American Kennel Club" (AKC ) registry. AKC is the largest canine registry in the US and now this special breed will have many more opportunities to compete in AKC events. The "Miniature American Shepherd" will be classified as a separate breed within the herding group.