Miniature American Shepherd

About the Breed - Star Of Elune Kennel

The Miniature American Shepherd (MAS) is an exceptionally intelligent, working dog, endowed with strong herding instincts and natural watchdog talents. Thanks to its versatility, it is perfect both as a companion dog and in more demanding tasks. He is known for his loyalty, courage and willingness to take action, making him an ideal partner for a variety of activities. Despite his smaller size, this energetic dog is able to enthusiastically carry out assigned tasks, learning quickly and willing to cooperate with humans. His ease in training and innate smartness make him valued not only as a family dog, but also in farm work.

History of the breed

In the 1960s, small Australian Shepherds that worked at American rodeos were selectively bred to further reduce their size. The miniature Australian Shepherd was developed by Sandy Travis (the “Travis Dogs” kennel) as part of a selective breeding program involving smaller Australian Shepherds. These dogs were bred to maintain their naturally small size, along with all the traits and character of larger specimens. The breed was registered in 1980 with the National Stock Dog Registry, originally under the name miniature Australian Shepherd. By the early 1990s, these dogs had already gained popularity throughout the United States. They were exhibited at shows organized by rare breed associations, and the first club – MASCUSA and pedigree books were established in 1990. In May 2011, the AKC listed the breed in the AKC Foundation Stock Service under the name of miniature American Shepherd. The official breed club remains MASCUSA – Miniature American Shepherd Club of USA. The FCI, or International Kennel Federation (under which the Kennel Club falls) recognized it in 2015. It is therefore a young breed in the show rings.

Character

The Miniature American Shepherd is an excellent companion dog, versatile, easy to train, performing assigned tasks with style and enthusiasm. Although he shows some distrust of strangers, he is not timid. At work, he is persistent and reliable, able to adjust his degree of arousal and behavior to the task at hand. To his family he is devoted, faithful and gentle. He will defend it when the need arises. These sheepdogs are used for herding smaller livestock, such as sheep and goats, which does not mean that they can’t handle larger ones as well. MAS are more of a show breed and farmers do not choose them as readily as utility Australian Shepherds. Their small size makes these sheepdogs excellent companions at home. They have become especially popular among professional horse riders giving shows, as their small size, intelligence and devotion make them great companions.

Activity

The vast majority of these dogs are active and need work. Their owners should give them a lot of time and attention, play with them regularly and go for walks. Otherwise, MAS may develop destructive tendencies. This is effectively prevented by movement, work and active play – these are the things that give meaning to the life of any miniature American Shepherd. MAS are eager to learn new skills and tricks, and excel in sports such as agility and other such activities.

Care and health

As a rule, a thorough weekly brushing of the coat is enough to keep the miniature American Shepherd’s waterproof, double-layered coat looking its best. However, during the moulting season, i.e. spring and autumn, this should be done more frequently, such as every two or three days. MAS also do not require frequent bathing – occasional baths will suffice, unless the dog gets extremely dirty. Claws, as with other breeds, should be trimmed regularly. Of the diseases typical of the breed, there are patella prolapse, hip and elbow dysplasia. Miniature American Shepherds are prone to problems with the musculoskeletal system, so it is important to keep them in good shape from puppyhood. During this period, dogs should not jump high or climb many stairs on their own. Another common health problem in MAS is eye disease. These dogs are prone to various conditions such as cataracts, retinal dysplasia, conjunctivitis and glaucoma.

Nutrition

The nutrition of dogs of this breed should not differ from that of other dogs. Miniature American Shepherds are not very prone to food allergies. They are dogs with a considerable appetite, willing to train for treats as well. As a lively dog, the Miniature American Shepherd enjoys a great shape and figure when given the right amount of exercise. To maintain proper body weight and rapid muscle recovery, it is recommended to feed him a high-protein food with a high meat content. It is worth noting whether the food contains ingredients that protect the dog’s joints and strengthen its bones – chondroitin and glucosamine. For a beautiful and shiny coat, you can enrich the diet with Omega unsaturated fatty acids from natural sources.

Average size and life expectancy of the breed

Growth:
Males: 35.5-46 cm
Females: 33- 43.5cm
Weight: In healthy animals, it varies depending on the size, sex and weight of the individual
individual.
Life expectancy: 12-13 years