Miniature American Shepherd

		Miniature American Shepherd
		FCI standard Nº 367

Origin		United States of America Under the patronage of Hungary
Group		Group 1 Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs)
Section		Section 1 Shepherd Dogs
Working		Without working trial
Acceptance on a provisional basis by the FCI		Wednesday 04 September 2019
Publication of the official valid standard		Wednesday 04 September 2019
En français, cette race se dit		Berger Miniature Américain
Diese Norm ist in deutscher Sprache sichtbar		Miniatur Amerikanischer Schäferhund
En español, esta raza se dice		Pastor Miniatura Americano
In het Nederlands, wordt dit ras gezegd		Miniatuur Amerikaanse herder

Usage

As the name suggests, he is a shepherd dog. He can work on herds of farm animals (sheep, cows, horses).

Brief historical summary

The story of the Australian mini obviously starts with that of the Australian Shepherd Standard, which despite its name is not native to Australia but would be Basque and the country of development North America. When the Merino sheep breed was imported to Australia, the Spaniards and Basques brought their dogs, Pyrenean Shepherd and Catalan. After their arrival on this continent there were marriages with the other races already present. They emigrated to America at the time of the Gold Rush or their dogs made a strong impression on American farms. Their qualities and their ability to work on the sheep made them quickly popular and it did not take long for the farmers to understand the potential of these small dogs, that they married with the different breeds of sheepdogs that were already present on the territory. Jay Sisler from Idaho then made them famous throughout the United States during his rodeo demonstrations during which he showed a show of learned dogs. He acquired in 1939 his first blue dog: Keno, his first blue dog, was also of unknown origin; these two dogs produced Shorty and Stub, who became the stars of the Sisler show. In fact, the Disney studios dedicated two films to them: "The world's greatest cow dog" and "Run appaloosa run".
The Sislers made few litters but contributed greatly to the development of the modern Australian Shepherd. Shorty had a big lineage, he had an excellent blue merle type, a huge capacity to work, and was the star of Sisler for years, still today we can find him among the ancestors in many pedigrees. The breed continued to grow and the guy improved to look like the Australian Shepherd we know.

General appearance

The Miniature American Shepherd is a small sheepdog from the United States of America. It is slightly longer than tall with a moderate bone structure in proportion to the size and weight of his body without extremes. His movements are fluid, easy and balanced. His exceptional agility combined with strength and endurance allow him to work on a wide variety of terrains. This very versatile and energetic dog is an excellent athlete with great intelligence and a willingness to please those to whom he is dedicated. He is both a faithful companion and a docile worker. His expression is attentive. The coat hairs, of medium length and texture, may be of solid color or merle with or without whiteness, with or without fires. It has traditionally no tail, shortened or natural short tail.
A solid construction with a medium frame in relation to its size and weight. The structure of the dog reflects masculinity without being too coarse for males. Females appear feminine without being too light. The overall structure gives an impression of strength without exaggeration.

Important proportions

The length, measured from the tip of the sternum to the tip of the buttock, is slightly greater than the height, measured from the top of the withers to the ground.

Behaviour / temperament

The Miniature American Shepherd is a smart working dog. He has a pronounced instinct for the conduct and care of herds. It is an exceptional companion, versatile and very easy to educate. Although reserved with strangers he is not shy. He is an energetic and enduring worker who adjusts his behavior and displays appropriate excitement for the task he has to perform. With his family he is protective, devoted and faithful.

Head
Cranial region
Head		The head must be clearly drawn and in proportion with the body of the dog. The expression is alert, attentive and intelligent. The dog can express a reserved and / or vigilant look towards foreigners.
Skull		The skull is flat or slightly domed and may show a slight occipital protuberance. The width and length of the skull are equal.
Stop		The stop is moderate but defined.

Facial region
Nose		The truffle is liver pigmentation for red or red merle and black subjects for black or blue merle subjects. Fully pigmented truffle is preferred.
Muzzle		It fades a little from the truffle base and is rounded at the end. The muzzle length is equal to that of the profile skull. The upper line of the skull and the line of the chamfer are slightly oblique to each other, with the upper line of the skull forming a slight angle downwards.
Jaws and teeth		The toothing must be complete and in scissors. Dogs with broken, missing or accidentally discolored teeth will not be penalized.
Eyes		The eyes are obliquely implanted, almond-shaped, neither projecting nor sunken and in proportion with the head. Whatever the color of the dress, all the colors of eyes are admitted. Eyes, speckles and mottling are allowed. The edge of the eyelid has liver pigmentation for red or red merle subjects and black pigmentation for black or blue merle subjects.
Ears		The ears are triangular, of medium size, attached to the top of the head. When the dog is attentive, they fold backwards or to the side, in pink.

Neck

The neck is solid and in proportion with the body, it is of medium length and slightly curved. The neck fits well between the shoulders.

Body
Body		The body is firm and well muscled but without exaggeration.
Back		Firm and straight in static as in motion.
Loin		Strong and wide seen from above.
Croup		Moderately inclined.
Chest		The chest is full and deep. She reaches the elbow with well curved ribs.
Underline and belly		Moderately raised.

Tail

It has traditionally no tail, shortened or natural short tail. The long uncut tail can form a slight curve when the dog is at rest. When the dog is moving it can be worn with a slightly more pronounced curve.

Limbs

Forequarters
Generality		The forelegs are well muscled and balanced with the hindquarters.
Shoulders		The shoulders are long, flat, fairly close at the withers and well inclined.
Upper arm		The humerus should be the same length as the scapula and form with it a right angle.
Elbows		The elbow joint is equidistant from the floor and tourniquet. Elbows must be near the ribs.
Forearm		They are straight and strong. The bone is oval rather than round.
Pastern		The metacarpuses are short, thick and strong but still flexible, showing a slight angle seen from the side.
Forefeet		The feet are oval, compact, with tight fingers. The toes are well arched. The pads are thick and elastic. The nails are short and hard. The lugs can be removed in countries that allow the practice.

Hindquarters
Generality		The width of the hindquarters is equal to that of the front hand at the shoulders. The angle, approximately right, formed by the scapula and the humerus corresponds to that formed by the pelvis and the thigh.
Stifle		The stifles are clearly drawn.
Hock		Hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other as seen from behind.
Hind feet		The feet are oval, compact, with tight fingers. The toes are well arched. The pads are thick and elastic. The nails are short and hard. The lugs can be removed in countries that allow the practice.

Gait and movement

The paces are fluid, clear and easy. The American mini shepherd shows a great ease in his movements with well covered strides. The forelimb and hind limb move in planes parallel to the median axis. As the speed increases, the front and rear feet converge towards the median plane while the top remains firm and horizontal. The Miniature American Shepherd must be agile and able to change course and pace instantly.

Coat
Hair		The hair is of medium texture and length, straight to wavy. The undercoat varies according to the seasons. The hair is short and smooth on the head and front of the forelegs. The back of the forelegs and panties are moderately provided. Mane and crop are more marked in males than in females. The ears, feet, back of the hocks and tail can be groomed. The dog must be presented with a natural hair.
Colour		The colors are varied and unique. In no order of preference, recognized colors are black, red, blue merle and red merle. The blackbird will be exposed with any amount of mottling, speckles or spots. The undercoat may be a bit lighter than the coat hair. Asymmetric marks are not a defect. Fire (tan) marks are not required. When present, they are permitted in the following places: around the eyes, on the feet, on the legs, under the neck, on the face, on the underside of the ear, under the base of the tail, and panties. They can also emphasize the bottom line. The hue of the "fire" marks can vary from a creamy beige to a black red, without preference. White marks are not mandatory and must not be invasive. They are limited to the mouth, cheeks, skull, neck, with a partial or complete collar, chest, belly, front and back limbs until the end of the hock. The tip of the tail may be white. The eyes must be surrounded entirely by color. Eyes in the white are forbidden. The ears should preferably be completely covered with colored hair. If there is white on the ear, it should not be more than 25% on one ear.

Size and weight
Height at withers		The size for males should be between 35,5 cm and 45,5 cm at the withers. The size for females must be between 33 cm and 43 cm at the withers.

Faults

• Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog and its ability to perform its traditional work.
• Faults listed should be in degree of seriousness.

Serious faults

Ears dangling or fully erect.

25 to 50% of the unpigmented truffle.

Atypical hairs.

White marks covering more than 25% of the surface of the ears.

The hair roots of a white collar protruding from the withers.

Disqualifying faults

Aggressive or shy dog.

Lack of type.

Size at the withers outside the limits of the standard: less than 35,5 cm and more than 45,5 for males, less than 33 cm and more than 43 cm for females.

More than 50% of the unpigmented truffle.

Non-compliant color, other than those allowed by the standard.

Color of the mucous membranes does not conform with the dress.

Eyelids not pigmented.

Eyes not completely in color.

White tasks elsewhere than where specified in the standard.

Prognathism lower or higher.

Cryptorchid or monorchid dog.

NB :

• Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.
• The above mentioned faults when occurring to a highly marked degree or frequently are disqualifying.
• Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs, with breed typical conformation should be used for breeding.

Bibliography

http://www.fci.be/

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Miniature American Shepherd