- Miniature Australian Shepherd
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Miniature Australian Shepherd 
Red Tricolor miniature Australian shepherd Nicknames Mini Aussie Country of origin United States Traits Classification and standards Not recognized by any major kennel club Dog (Canis lupus familiaris) The Miniature Australian Shepherd was developed by breeding smaller Australian Shepherds for the desired size. Miniature Australian Shepherds are rapidly increasing in popularity among those interested in a compact dog with a strong work ethic. They are especially popular in dog agility, and do well in other dog sports including herding, obedience, disc dog, and many other activities. They can serve well as service or therapy dogs.
Contents
Description
Appearance
Blue merle mini Aussie
The preferred height of the Miniature Australian Shepherds range from 14 to 18 inches (35 to 46 cm) at the withers and the weight is typically between 17 and 30 pounds (9 to 14 kg). Toys range in height from 10 to 14". Coat colors are the same as those for the Australian shepherds; blue merle, red merle, black, and red, all with or without copper as well as with or without white trim. Eyes may be any combination of brown, amber, hazel, blue, or marbled.
Temperament
The Miniature Australian Shepherds are easily trained, but their intelligence and drive require obedience training and plenty of interesting activity. They have a sixth sense about what their owners want and are easily trainable because they crave approval. Once given proper socialization they will thrive in a variety of environments, provided they have an adequate outlet for both physical and mental energy. If they are not allowed adequate stimuli they may become destructive. Because of their herding background, they also may have the tendency to try to herd people, especially small children, nipping at their heels. As long as this behavior is put in check when they are young, they will generally be fine. They are social dogs and form close attachments to their owner. As a result, some may suffer separation anxiety. Minis function well as a family dog, but their excessive energy may need to be checked around small children. They are generally great house dogs but do require a large amount of exercise. In contrast to larger Aussies, they can also be good apartment dogs provided they are physically and mentally exercised[1].
History
The "Mini Aussie" was developed directly from the Australian Shepherd breed. Throughout the history of the Aussie, small (under 18") dogs can be seen in historical photographs - in fact, many breed experts believe that the original Aussie was selectively bred larger as sheep ranching decreased and cattle ranching increased. Cattle ranchers preferred a larger dog to work the larger stock. Some Aussie owners have continued to prefer a smaller sized Aussie, while others prefer the larger.
In 1968 Doris Cordova, a horse woman in Norco, California, began a breeding program specifically to produce very small Australian Shepherds, the best known being Cordova's Spike. Spike was placed with Bill and Sally Kennedy, also of Norco, California, to continue to develop a line of miniature Aussies under the B/S kennel name. Another horseman, Chas Lasater of Valhalla Kennels, soon joined the ranks of mini breeders. In the 1980s fanciers formed member clubs (North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA and the Miniature Australian Shepherd Association) and registries to promote the smaller dogs in particular.
Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of AmericaRecognition
Miniature Australian Shepherds can be registered with the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America (MASCA), American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR), and National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR).
Possible health conditions
Eye defects of varying severity are the most common disorder in Australian Shepherds of all size varieties. The following disorders have been recognized in the Australian Shepherd of all sizes:
Iris Colobomas (IC): A cleft in the iris of the eye. If large, it will impair vision. A dog with a small IC may be sensitive to bright light. While the exact mode of inheritance is unknown, it is probably polygenetic. They may also be the result of abnormal development in puppies from merle to merle breedings.
Juvenile cataracts: A congenital opacity of the lens of the eye due to abnormal early degeneration of the lens tissue. This can result in gradual and painless deterioration of sight, resulting in partial or complete blindness by 2 to 5 years of age.
Persistent pupillary membrane (PPM): PPM is rare, but possible in the mini Aussies. During normal development, a puppy's eyes are enveloped by a membrane which stretches and breaks away by 8 weeks of age. In an affected dog, the membranes fail to break free, whether on the front of the eye, or behind it. It causes varying degrees of vision impairment depending on placement and concentration of the strands. Diagnosis can be mild to severe. If strands have not broken free by 8 weeks, the dog is inclined to carry them for the rest of its life.
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA): PRA is common in many breeds of dogs and has been identified in Australian Shepherds. It affects the entire retina and is the canine equivalent of retinitis pigmentosa. The disease is recognized first in early adolescence or early adulthood. Puppies may be blind by six to eight months. All dogs affected with PRA eventually go blind. Carriers show no clinical symptoms. Symptoms are subtle, starting with night blindness, some eye dilation, progressing to complete blindness. It is quite common not to notice anything wrong until the dog is nearly completely blind.
MDR1 gene
MDR1 gene mutation has been found in a variety of herding dogs: Collies, Australian shepherds, Mini/Toys, Shetland sheepdogs, Old English sheepdogs and German shepherds. Testing is the only way to determine if an individual dog has the mutant gene. Washington State University is the only facility that provides such testing.[2]
Dogs with the MDR1 gene mutation may have adverse reactions when given certain drugs. The documented list includes drug types for: antiparasitic agents, antidiarrheal agents, tranquilizers, pre-anesthetic agents and chemotherapy agents.
Based on the genetic issues of the Miniature Australian Shepherd, it is urged that all buyers protect themselves with a written contract. Ethical breeders will have no issue in following simple rules of a contract to protect both parties. Please make sure to have any Miniature Australian Shepherd that may be purchased from a breeder checked for possible health issues, and get updated information on sire and dam.
References
{http://www.mascaonline.net/ Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of Americaa}
External links
- Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America
- Mini Australian Shepherd Breed Standards and Information
- American Stock Dog Registry,LLC
- Toy Australian Shepherd Association of America
- Mini Aussie Rescue & Support (MARS)
- History of the Australian Shepherd and Miniature Australian Shepherd
- Homozygous "Lethal White" Merles
- Mini Aussie Puppy Pictures and Breed Info
- Mini Aussie Puppies
Categories:- Dog breeds
- Herding dogs
- Dog breeds originating in the United States
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