Miniature American Shepherd
Temperament:
You probably know the Miniature American Shepherd more by its synonyms "Miniature Australian Shepherd" or "Minie Aussie". What makes this small, agile working dog so special? What distinguishes it from its big brother, the American Shepherd?
Characteristics
The Miniature American Shepherd differs from the American Shepherd only in size. At first glance, the dogs can be recognized as a miniature version of the American Shepherd.
As typical herding dogs, they are lively, intelligent and eager to move. Despite their strong build, their movements are supple and agile.
Bred purely as a working dog, the Miniature American Shepherd is very willing to work. He learns quickly and wants to be challenged. Don't underestimate these dogs. Just because they are small doesn't mean they are lap dogs. The Miniature American Shepherd has just as much temperament and drive as its big brothers.
It's best to train your Miniature American Shepherd in a dog sport. There is now a wide choice, so try out which sport suits you best and is fun for both of you. Many Miniature American Shepherds are enthusiastic agility athletes and are very successful in this sport. Or you could try dog dancing or obedience.
The small herding dog is suitable as a family dog if it accepts that its master or mistress takes the lead.
Your furry friend will feel most at home in a house with a yard or garden. You can keep your little bundle of energy in a city apartment if you keep him mentally and physically active. Take him for long walks, ride his bike and play fun games with him. Then his pleasant nature will enrich your life.
Males should have a shoulder height of 35 to 46 cm. Females are slightly smaller. The coat is medium to long, sometimes slightly wavy and in many colors. Underneath is a dense undercoat. This double coat protected the animals in Australia from blistering heat, dryness and night-time cold.
There are the colors red and black, both partly with copper and/or white markings. The Merle, Blue-Merle and Red-Merle colors are very popular, although they are due to a genetic defect.
The same defect sometimes results in eyes of different colors or two bright eyes of the same color. These eyes are a fad. In the blazing Australian sun, dogs with light-colored eyes were at a disadvantage. The eyes became easily diseased and the animals went blind.
Never choose your puppy based on coat color. Check whether the little rascal is healthy, whether the breeding conditions at the breeder are right and whether his temperament suits you.
Coat care:
Shedding:
Energy level:
Trainability:
Children suitable:
The right food
When choosing food, make sure that it contains high-quality ingredients, is balanced and meets your dog's requirements. Age, size or weight, activity and health status play an important role. You should follow the manufacturer's recommendations for the amount of food.
Treats should only be fed in moderation and deducted from the basic diet to avoid obesity.
Puppies can be fed 4-6 times a day. The number of meals should be gradually reduced to 2 per day until the dog is fully grown. A rest period should be observed after meals.
Fresh drinking water should be available at all times.
Health & Care
Grooming your Miniature American Shepherd is not very time-consuming, you should brush him once a week. The coat will not become matted and dirt will fall off by itself.
The little fur noses are very sociable. Many owners therefore keep two or three of these lively fellows. If it's not possible for you to have more than one dog, visit dog clubs with your pet. Or look for a suitable dog club. There your four-legged friend will find playmates and you will get help with training. Most clubs also offer one or more sports that you can train together.
Your Miniature American Shepherd is in his element on the herding trail. Herding sheep, driving them into a pen, that's what he was bred for, that's his world. Originally, the small dogs were only used to herd small animals such as sheep or goats. Nevertheless, the little guy confidently dares to tackle the big animals. He uses his full body to get them where he wants them.
Besides dogs, do you love horses and riding? Then your Miniature American Shepherd is the ideal riding companion. It gets on very well with horses. In the USA, it is a popular rodeo companion dog and is often used at shows.
Spend a lot of time with your dog, spend as much time with him as possible. It doesn't matter what you do together. The important thing is that you both enjoy it. This will help you develop a strong bond over time.
The Miniature American Shepherd is not a dog for beginners. It is open-minded, intelligent and has a lovable character. Nevertheless, you will need a lot of patience, consistency and empathy to train him. It is good if you already have experience with dogs.
Your Miniature American Shepherd is reserved towards strangers, but is always loyal and affectionate towards his humans. He works eagerly during training and is always eager to do everything right.
Sometimes his innate herding instinct comes to the fore. Then he can't help it and has to guard the children in the yard or passing joggers. A lot of training is needed to stop him from using his teeth.
Suitable accessories
The basic equipment for your Miniature American Shepherd includes a food bowl, which must be cleaned daily. There should also be at least one water bowl. Constant access to fresh water is very important for your dog, and not just in summer. Place several water bowls for your furry friend in the home, yard or garden.
Whether your Miniature American Shepherd lives indoors or outside in the yard, he needs a quiet place to retreat to. A basket with a cozy blanket, a cushion or a comfy bed belong in his quiet zone. When your four-legged friend has gone to rest, you should only disturb him if there is no other way.
If your dog spends a lot of time outdoors, you can build him a weatherproof, well-insulated hut. Although your Miniature American Shepherd is naturally robust, it needs protection from the heat in summer and from the cold in winter.
A collar or harness and a short, fixed lead are suitable for normal walks and for working. If you want your furry friend to have a little more freedom when out and about, use a flexi lead. A transport box is a good idea if you want your little friend to travel with you in the car.
And very important: toys! Let your dog decide which toys he wants. There are the hunters, who tirelessly chase after any projectile, be it a ball, frisbee or whatever, and there are the tuggers. Tuggers love to grab anything they can get their teeth on and throw it around. If you have a tugger, give him lots of toys to chew on. This is easy on your furniture.
Other useful accessories for your dog include tick tweezers, claw clippers, mild dog shampoo, brush and comb, toothbrush and toothpaste for dogs and a first aid kit. It's best to ask your vet what should be in the first aid kit.
Origin & History
The Miniature American Shepherd has an exciting history. Its origins lie in Australia. British and Basque immigrants brought their sheep and herding dogs with them. Crossbreeding with Border Collies, Collies and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs resulted in dogs that were perfectly adapted to the Australian climate.
Dryness, extreme heat during the day and icy cold at night made the dogs robust. The appearance was varied. Color and size did not matter, only work performance counted. Cattle breeders preferred larger dogs, sheep and goat breeders smaller ones.
These herding dogs arrived in the southwest of the USA with the Australian sheep. This is where the Australian Shepherd breed originated. When sheep farming declined in these areas, the dogs almost completely disappeared. Until they made a comeback as show stars. Thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to work, they quickly learned tricks and feats. It wasn't long before the Miniature American Shepherd became fashionable in the USA. In addition to the large dogs, there has always been the somewhat smaller Miniature American Shepherd.
In 1968, a few dog lovers in the USA began selectively breeding the small Miniature American Shepherd. The breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015. The FCI provisionally recognized the breed in 2019.
