Missouri Licensed
History of the Miniature Australian
Shepherd
During the 1960s, a
Californian Australian Shepherd enthusiast acquired several small working
Aussies from the rodeo circuit. Intrigued by their compact size, she worked with
a veterinarian to develop a breeding program in order to preserve the trait,
which quickly resulted in litters producing both dogs only 13 to 14 inches tall
as well as larger Australian Shepherds. The smaller dogs eventually became known
as "miniature" Australian Shepherds. The mini Aussie soon attracted the
attention of experienced Australian Shepherd breeders and eager newcomers. Lines
were researched and educated breeding to full-size Aussies was and is strongly
encouraged to diversify the gene pool and improve conformation and type of the
mini Aussies. Herding instinct, intelligence and drive were preserved and many
mini Aussies continue to work a variety of livestock today. Characteristics The
mini Aussie is exactly as its name implies: a small Australian Shepherd with the
Aussie’s attentive, energetic temperament, high intelligence and reserve, but
never shyness, towards strangers. But while the height of the Aussie varies from
18 to 23 inches, the height of the mini Aussie ranges from 14 to 18 inches with
a corresponding weight of approximately 20 to 40 pounds. The Miniature
Australian Shepherd’s eager attitude means that working with the mini Aussie
is a joy, but their intelligence means that obedience training is highly
recommended. The ownership of any dog, especially one of an intelligent breed,
should not be taken lightly. Because the Aussie was developed both to herd and
guard the flock, the mini Aussies are entirely devoted to their family and make
excellent watch dogs and companions. As with all breeds, early socialization is
of the utmost importance. The first registry to accept the Miniature Australian
Shepherd was the National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR): the same to first recognize
the Australian Shepherd.
Frequently I am asked the difference between the three sizes of Australian Shepherds. . .well, the truth is that "size" is the only difference.
Historical pictures from the 50's 60's and even the 70's show that Australian Shepherds under 18 inches at the shoulders were a naturally occuring size vareity within the breed. The Australian Shepherd Breed Standard was written to "prefer" dogs that were over 18 inches but with no height disqualification.
In the 60's a select few breeders decided they actually "prefered" their dogs under 18 inch.
These breeders decided that they would purposfully select the smallest Aussies they could find that were of true Aussie quality and they began breeding for the Miniature Size Variety of the Australian Shepherd.
No other breeds were mixed in to get smaller dogs. Reputable breeders selectively choose the smallest Aussies for our breeding programs over several years, the result is smaller size dogs.
The preferred height for each size variety is as follows....
Toy Australian Shepherds are up to but not including 14 inches at the withers.
Miniature Australian Shepherds are between 14 and 18 inches at the withers.
Standard Australian Shepherds are 18 inches and larger at the withers.
Gunsmoke
Toy Australian Shepherd Male
11/15/2005
Blue Merle
Doc Ringo
Toy Australian Shepherd Male
02/11/2006
Red Tri
Kit Carson
Miniature Australian Shepherd Male
03/16/2006
Red Merle
Belle Starr
Toy Australian Shepherd
Female
Red Merle
03/13/2006
Calamity Jane
Toy Australian Shepherd
Female
Red tri
11/11/2005
Cattle Kate
Toy Australian Shepherd
Female
Black tri
11/25/2005
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Freckles
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Black Bi Male
03/26/2004 |
Abbi-Gale Miniature Australian ShepherdRed Tri Female
11/03/2003
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Jasmine
Toy Australian Shepherd
Red Merle Female
07/12/2005 | |||||
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Rusty
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Red Tri Male
06/07/2004 |
Bear
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Sable tri Male
06/29/2005 |
Pixie
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Red Tri Female
07/12/2005 | |||||
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Kandi
Miniature Australian Shepherd
Blue Merle Female
10/15/2005 |
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Cheyenne Maiden
|
Blue merle Miniature Australian Shepherd |
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*Two New Additions to the Crew at Reichel Farms *
NOLAND'S LITTLE BIT SLY, A BLACK TRI TOY AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD MALE |
NOLAND'S LITTLE BIT HALLIE, A BLACK AND WHITE FEMALE TOY AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD |
Meet Cinch, a handsome Blue Merle by Geis' Zip the Zipper and Geis Dusty Rusty that came to Reichel Farms from Sunflower Mini Aussies from Kansas. He is a little shy but is warming up to the routine and is getting along well with KC, Lucky Chance and Pixie |
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Laramie & Kohle Blue Merle Toy Australian Shpeherd w/Blue Eyes |
Cactus Jack & Annie Oakley joined the crew at Reichel Farms in December and will be registered with CKC |
Meet Reichel Farms Patches |
 Spoilng the puppies at Reichel Farms |
|
Spoilng the puppies at Reichel Farms |
History of the Miniature Australian Shepherd: The Australian Shepherd arrived in the United States by the late 19th century where the dog's qualities became recognized by local ranchers, who used the dogs to work cattle, sheep and other livestock. The North American Miniature Australian Shepherd was developed in 1968, when two small Australian Shepherd were bred. They were a scaled down version of the Australian Shepherd. The goal was to develop a herder and guardian that had the qualities of the original Australian Shepherd but was smaller in size.