The Miniature Australian Shepherd, developed in the USA in the 1950s and 1960s, is a compact version of the Australian Shepherd. It is characterized by its well-balanced body, almond-shaped eyes and triangular ears. Its moderate length coat may have merle patterns with white markings and/or tan points. This dog is lively, loyal and noted for his energy and dedication to his family.
General details
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd. This breed is usually between 35 and 46 centimeters tall and weighs approximately 9 to 18 kilograms. Life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. This breed is not recognized by the Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI).
Breed history in brief
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a small-sized variant of the Australian Shepherd, developed in the United States during the 1950s and 1960s. In the 1960s, a Californian Australian Shepherd enthusiast began breeding smaller versions of these dogs, working with a veterinarian to preserve this distinctive trait. The Miniature Australian Shepherd was officially recognized by the National Stock Dog Registry in the 1980s. Although it initially received several names and classifications, it was eventually established as a variant of the Australian Shepherd, maintaining a continuous genetic connection to the original breed.
Breed characteristics
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced, small to medium-sized herding dog. Its head is strong and proportionate in relation to the body, with a muzzle tapering to a rounded tip. The eyes, almond-shaped and expressive, are set at a slight slant and may be brown, blue, amber or combinations of these. The ears, set high on the sides of the head, are triangular with slightly rounded tips and fold slightly forward when the dog is alert. The coat is straight or slightly wavy, of moderate length and with an undercoat that varies with the climate. Recognized colors include blue merle, red merle, solid black and solid red, all with white markings and/or copper points. In addition, the Miniature Australian Shepherd is distinguished by its tail, which may be natural or shortened. Temperamentally, it is an energetic and agile dog, with an attentive and lively nature, making it a loyal and hard-working companion.
Common health problems
The breed is generally healthy, although some diseases or disorders such as multiple colobomas, cataracts, congenital deafness, hip and elbow dysplasia, microphthalmia, retinal dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, Collie eye anomaly, chronic superficial keratitis and persistent pupillary membrane have been associated with the breed.
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