MINIATURE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD CLUB OF AMERICA OFFICIAL BREED STANDARD
General Appearance
The Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He
is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer
than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and
individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each
sex, masculinity or femininity is well-defined. Bone is moderate and clean with coarseness, heaviness
or lightness being undesirable. Overall type, balance of conformation and movement are valued more
highly than individual structural perfections because it is balance which enables him to fulfill his
purpose.
Character
The Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong
herding and guardian instincts, he is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained,
performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does
not exhibit shyness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or
animals is intolerable.
- Fault: Undue shyness.
- Disqualification: Viciousness.
Head
Clean-cut, strong, dry and in proportion to the body. The top skull is flat to slightly rounded, its length
and width each equal to the length of the muzzle, which is in balance and proportioned to the rest of the
head. The muzzle tapers slightly to a rounded tip. The stop is moderate but well-defined.Lips: Giving a
dry appearance.
- Disqualification: Wet flews
Teeth
A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. An even bite is a fault. Teeth broken or
missing by accident are not penalized.
Disqualifications: Undershot bites overshot bites exceeding one-eighth inch
Eyes
Very expressive, showing attentiveness and intelligence. Clear, almond-shaped, and of moderate size,
set a little obliquely, neither prominent nor sunken, with pupils dark, well-defined and perfectly
positioned. Color is brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof including flecks and
marbling, with no preference.
Disqualifications: Offset pupil.
Ears
Set on high at the side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip, of moderate size with
length measured by bringing the tip of the ear around to the inside corner of the eye. The ears, at full
attention, break slightly forward and over from one-quarter (¼) to one-half (½) above the base.
- Severe faults: Prick and hound-type ears
Neck and Body
The neck is firm, clean and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the
crest, settling well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a
natural four-square stance. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well-sprung. The loin is strong and
broad when viewed from the top. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The croup
is moderately sloping, the ideal being thirty (30) degrees from the horizontal. Tail is straight, not to
exceed three (3) inches, for natural bobbed or docked. The undocked tail when at rest is straight down
or in a slight upward curve. When the dog is alert the tail is normally lifted, but it should not be curved
forward over the back.
- Severe Fault: Non-typical coats
Color
All colors are strong, clear and rich. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black
and solid red (liver) and with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no preference.
The blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims the red (liver) merle and
red (liver) have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims. Butterfly nose should not be faulted
under one year of age. On all colors, the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color
other than white. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers.
- Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors, white body splashes, Dudley nose.
Gait
Smooth, free and easy exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced, ground-covering stride.
Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the center line of the body as speed increases, the
feet, both front and rear, converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog, while the topline
remains firm and level. Joints to not bend or twist when in motion.
Size
Preferred height at the withers for males is fourteen (14) to eighteen (18) inches that for females is
fourteen (14) up to but not including eighteen (18) inches. Dogs or bitches above these measurements
should be faulted to the degree of variance, however, quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
Toy Variety- Below 14″ at the withers.
Other Disqualifications
Toy-like characteristics (ie. domed head, bulging eyes, fine bone),
monorchidism or cryptorchidism.
Note:
The Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety should be judged as if it were an Australian
Shepherd in all respects other than size. The mini Aussie’s conformation, moderate coat, efficient yet
driving movement and stable temperament should all imply a herding dog capable of working long
hours in a variety of conditions. Shown in near to natural state. Hair may be trimmed away from and
around the pads. Whiskers may be trimmed or untrimmed (never removed on a dog to work stock).
Pasterns may be trimmed between carpal pad and heel. Hair along hock and long hairs on docked or
bobbed tails or sparse, stray or straggly hairs may also be trimmed to make a neater outline.