Dear MASCUSA Members,
After years of trying to work with USASA on the breed history for the Miniature American Shepherd, and having gone through many drafts, we are at somewhat of an impasse. As a reminder, working with USASA on our history was a condition of acceptance of our breed into AKC. At this time your Board would like some direction from the membership.
Here is the most recent draft of our history that MASCUSA sent to USASA:
Draft History of the Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California during the late 1960's with the breeding of small, unregistered dogs that were thought to be Australian Shepherds. These dogs were interbred and crossed with other small Australian Shepherds, with a goal of maintaining their small size, active character and intelligence, and Australian Shepherd "type." The breed was called the Miniature Australian Shepherd or Mini Aussie.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd was first registered with the National Stock Dog Registry as a variety of the Australian Shepherd in 1968. By the early 1980's, the Mini Aussie had attained nationwide popularity; several clubs promoted the breed, and it was registered and shown with various rare-breed organizations. The first parent breed club and registry, the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA), officially formed in 1990 and was incorporated in 1993.
The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the AKC Miniature American Shepherd in May 2011. MASCUSA formally changed its name to the Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA, and was designated as the national parent club of the Miniature American Shepherd for the American Kennel Club.
This small, athletic breed has moderate bone and slightly rectangular proportions. The neck arches slightly into the shoulders, which blend into a sturdy, level back. The full chest reaches to the elbows. Forelegs are straight and strong, and front and rear angulation is balanced. Feet are compact and oval. The tail is typically a natural bobtail or docked to 3 inches or less. The proportionate head has a moderate stop and gently tapering muzzle. The nose is black (in blacks and blue merles) or liver (in reds and red merles). Eyes can be brown, blue, hazel, amber, or any combination thereof. Ears are triangular and high set. The breed has a watchful and intelligent expression.
Today, the Miniature American Shepherd is established across the U.S. and internationally. It is a breed with a unique identity - an eye catching, versatile little herding dog, equally at home on a ranch or in the city.
Here is the edited version that USASA sent back to MASCUSA:
Draft History of the Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California during the late 1960's with the breeding of small, unregistered dogs that were thought to be Australian Shepherds. These dogs were interbred and crossed with a goal of maintaining their small size, active character and intelligence.
The breed was first registered with the National Stock Dog Registry in 1968. By the early 1980's, it had attained nationwide popularity; several clubs promoted the breed, and it was registered and shown with various rare-breed organizations. The first parent breed club and registry officially formed in 1990 and was incorporated in 1993. The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the Miniature American Shepherd in May 2011. The Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA) is the designated national parent club of the American Kennel Club.
This small, athletic breed has moderate bone and slightly rectangular proportions. The neck arches slightly into the shoulders, which blend into a sturdy, level back. The full chest reaches to the elbows. Forelegs are straight and strong, and front and rear angulation is balanced. Feet are compact and oval. The tail is typically a natural bobtail or docked to 3 inches or less. The proportionate head has a moderate stop and gently tapering muzzle. The nose is black (in blacks and blue merles) or liver (in reds and red merles). Eyes can be brown, blue, hazel, amber, or any combination thereof. Ears are triangular and high set. The breed has a watchful and intelligent expression.
Today, the Miniature American Shepherd is established across the U.S. and internationally. It is a breed with a unique identity - an eye catching, versatile little herding dog, equally at home on a ranch or in the city.
USASA removed every single reference to the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Your Board finds this to be unacceptable, however, standing our ground at this time may result in our breed not advancing to full recognition on the current target date of July 2015. So, our question to the membership is this: should we insist on a history that makes reference to the Miniature Australian Shepherd and risk remaining in the Miscellaneous Class as a result?
The Board sincerely desires your input, whether you are a breeder, show in conformation, compete in companion or performance events, or simply enjoy this breed as a beloved family pet. Please take this survey within seven days of today's date.
Sincerely,
MASCUSA Board of Directors
