Miniature American Shepherd
A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be careful to avoid obvious conditions and exaggerations, as well as being mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.
Breed Standard - Miniature American Shepherd
General Appearance: The Miniature American Shepherd is a small size herding dog thatoriginated in the United States. He is slightly longer than tall with bone that is moderate and inproportion to body size and height without extremes. Movement is smooth, easy, and balanced.
Exceptional agility combined with strength and stamina allows for working over a variety of terrain. This highly versatile, energetic dog makes an excellent athlete with superior intelligenceand a willingness to please those to whom he is devoted. He is both a loyal companion and a
biddable worker, which is evident in his watchful expression. The double coat of medium lengthand coarseness may be solid in color or merled, with or without white and/or tan (copper)markings. He traditionally has a docked or natural bobtail.
Size, Proportion and Substance:
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.
Very serious faults - 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.
Proportion - Measuring from the point of the shoulder to the point of the buttocks and from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground, he is slightly longer than tall.
Substance - Solidly built with moderate bone in proportion to body height and size. Structure in the dog reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of bone.
Head: The head is clean-cut, dry, and in proportion to the body.
Expression - Alert, attentive and intelligent. May express a reserved look and/or be watchful of strangers.
Eyes - The eyes are set obliquely, almond shaped, neither protruding nor sunken and in proportion to the head.
Acceptable in all coat colors, one or both eyes may be brown, blue, hazel, amber or any color combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. The eye rims of the reds and red merles have full red (liver) pigmentation. The eye rims of the blacks and blue merles have full black
pigmentation.
Ears - Are triangular, of moderate size, set high on the head. At full attention theybreak forward and over, or to the side as a rose ear.
Serious Fault - Prick ears and ears that hang with no lift.
Skull - The crown is flat to slightly round and may show a slight occipital protuberance. The width and the length of the crown are equal.
Stop - The stop is moderate but defined.
Muzzle - The muzzle is of medium width and depth and tapers gradually to a rounded tip without appearing heavy, square, snipy, or loose. Length is equal to the length of the crown.
Planes - Viewed from the side, the muzzle and the top line of the crown are slightly oblique to
each other, with the front of the crown on a slight angle downward toward the nose.
Nose – Red merles and reds have red (liver) pigmentation on the nose leather. Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose leather. Fully pigmented noses are preferred. Noses that are less than fully pigmented will be faulted.
Serious Fault – 25 to 50 percent un-pigmented nose leather.
Very Serious Fault - Over 50 percent un-pigmented nose leather.
Bite - A full complement of teeth meet in a scissor bite. Teeth broken, missing or discolored by accident are not penalized.
Very Serious Fault - Undershot or overshot bite.
Neck, Topline and Body: The overall structure gives an impression of depth and strength
without bulkiness.
Neck - The neck is firm, clean, and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders.
Topline - The back is firm and level from the withers to the hip joint when standing or moving.
Loin - The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top.
Croup - The croup is moderately sloped. Body - The body is firm and well conditioned.
Chest and Ribs - The chest is full and deep, reaching to the elbow, with well sprung ribs.
Underline - The underline shows a moderate tuck-up.
Tail - A docked, natural bobtail or undocked tail are all acceptable. A docked tail is straight, not to exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve accentuated.
Forequarters: The forequarters are well conditioned and balanced with the hindquarters.
Shoulders - Shoulder blades (scapula) are long, flat, fairly close set at the withers, and well laidback.
Upper arm - The upper arm (humerus) is equal in length to the shoulder blade and meetsthe shoulder blade at an approximate right angle. The forelegs drop straight and perpendicular tothe ground.
Elbow - The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. Viewed from the side, the elbow should be directly under the withers. The elbows should be close to the ribs without looseness.
Legs - The legs are straight and strong. The bone is oval rather than round.
Pasterns - Short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from theside.
Feet - Oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient;nails are short and strong. The nails may be any color combination. Dewclaws may beremoved.
Hindquarters: Width of hindquarters is approximately equal to the width of the forequarters atthe shoulders.
Angulation - The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) mirrors theangulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle.
Stifle - Stifles are clearly defined. Hock - The hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear.
Feet - Feet are oval, compact, with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails are short and strong. The nails may be any color combination. Rear dewclaws may be removed.
Coat: Moderation is the overall impression of the coat. Hair is of medium texture, straight towavy, weather resistant, and of medium length. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head and front of the legs. The backs of forelegs andbreeches are moderately feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Hair may be trimmed on the ears, feet, back of hocks, pasterns, and tail, otherwise he is to be shown in a natural coat. Untrimmed whiskers are preferred.
Serious Fault - Non-typical coats.
Color: The coloring offers variety and individuality. With no order of preference, the recognizedcolors are black, blue merle, red (liver) and red merle. The merle will exhibit in any amount,marbling, flecks or blotches. Undercoats may be somewhat lighter in color than the topcoat.
Asymmetrical markings are not to be faulted. Tan Markings: Tan markings are not required butwhen present are acceptable in any or all of the following areas: around the eyes, on the feet,legs, chest, muzzle, underside of neck, face, underside of ear, underline of body, under the base
of the tail and the breeches. Tan markings vary in shades from creamy beige to dark rust, with nopreference. Blending with the base color or merle pattern may be present on the face, legs, feet,and breeches. White Markings: White markings are not required but when present do not
dominate. Ticking may be present in white markings. White on the head does not predominate,and the eyes are fully surrounded by color and pigment. Red merles and reds have red (liver)pigmentation on the eye rims. Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the eye rims.Ears fully covered by color are preferred.
Serious Faults - White markings covering over 25 percent of an ear. White markings may be in any combination and are restricted to: the muzzle, cheeks, crown, blaze on head, the neck in a partial or full collar, chest, belly, front legs, hind legs up the hock and may extend in a thin outline of the stifle. A small amount of white extending from the underline may be visible from the side, not to exceed one inch above the elbow. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the withers at the skin. If a natural undocked tail is present, the tip of the tail may have white.
Very Serious Fault - Other than recognized colors.
White body splashes, which means any conspicuous, isolated spot or patch of white on the area between withers and tail, on back, or sides between elbows and back of hindquarters.
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 back remains firm and level. When traveling at a trot the head is carried in a natural position with neck extended forward and head nearly level or slightly above the topline.
He must be agile and able to turn direction or alter gait instantly.
Temperament: The Miniature American Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog ofstrong herding and guardian instincts. An exceptional companion, he is versatile and easilytrained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. Although reserved withstrangers, he does not exhibit shyness. He is a resilient and persistent worker, who adjusts hisdemeanor and arousal appropriately to the task at hand. With his family he is protective, goodnatured, devoted and loyal.
Very Serious Faults: 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.
Over 50 percent un-pigmented nose leather.
Undershot or overshot bite.
Other than recognized colors.
White body splashes, which means any conspicuous, isolated spot or patch of white on the area between withers and tail, on back, or sides between elbows and back of hindquarters.
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 on the dog’s ability to perform its traditional work.
