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Explore the history and standards of the Miniature American Shepherd, split from the Australian Shepherd in 2011.
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This article was originally published in Showsight Magazine, January 2021 issue.
In May of 2011, the American Kennel Club approved the split of the Australian Shepherd by phenotype (the phenotype being size) into two breeds now known as the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature American Shepherd. In May of 2011, the AKC also approved MASCUSA as the Parent Club to represent the Miniature American Shepherd. The model that was used to split the Australian Shepherd breed was the Norfolk and Norwich Terrier. The phenotype that split these Terriers into two breeds was their ear set. Initially, AKC recognized these two breeds as one breed (the Norwich Terrier) until 1979, when division by ear carriage became official. The drop ears are now recognized as the Norfolk, whereas the prick ears remain Norwich in AKC.
Prior to AKC recognition, the Miniature American Shepherds were known as Miniature Australian Shepherds, North American Shepherds or Mini Aussies. MASCUSA, the AKC Parent Club, has been around since 1990 with the sole purpose to promote and advance those Australian Shepherds that are smaller than the preferred height of 18 inches. MASCUSA was originally formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1993. Per Article II of our first Bylaws, MASCUSA’s objectives and purpose was to aid and encourage the breeding and raising of purebred Miniature Australian Shepherds as a smaller mirror-image of the Australian Shepherd dog; more specifically defined in our breed standard.
BREED STANDARDS
Breed Standards are vital in order to define breeds. MASCUSA has a Breed Standard that was voted and approved by its membership, is in line with our long history and objectives, and has been approved by the Board of Directors of the American Kennel Club.
BREED DIVISION AGREEMENT
Although the Australian Shepherd has a preferred size, the Miniature American Shepherd was split off from the Australian Shepherd with very specific requirements. One of these was the allowance of Australian Shepherds to move from the Australian Shepherd stud book over to the Miniature American Shepherds stud book for a period of time. The Breed Division Agreement was very clear; to have a Disqualification in the Breed Standard for Miniature American Shepherds over 17 inches tall at the shoulder for females and over 18 inches tall at the shoulder for males.
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD SIZE:
Size: The preferred height for males is 20 to 23 inches, females 18 to 21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
MINIATURE AMERICAN SHEPHERD SIZE:
Size: Height for dogs is 14 inches up to and including 18 inches at the top of the withers. Height for bitches is 13 inches up to and including 17 inches at the top of withers. Disqualification—under 14 inches and over 18 inches for dogs; under 13 inches and over 17 inches for bitches. The minimum heights set forth in this breed standard shall not apply to dogs or bitches under six months of age. The responsibility to uphold the Breed Standard as well as the agreements of Breed Division first rests with the Breeders. Breeders should know the Breed Standard and History of the breed, and understand the disqualifications of the breed that they are advancing in the Sport of Dogs.
Dogs with disqualifications should not be in the breed ring, but may (at the discretion of the breeder) continue to be used in breeding programs. The last line of defense to uphold the Breed Standard falls on the Judge—if exhibitors are too afraid to call for a wicket. Judges must not consider dogs over or under the Breed Standard sizes, as they would then violate a member-voted Breed Standard and, in our case, a Breed Division Agreement. MASCUSA’s Breed Standard is clearly stated, defined, and measurable, with no room for interpretation regarding size.
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