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Two registries specific to our breed of dog, the Australian Shepherd, have issued and posted statements regarding the "mini" being misrepresented as a variety of our dogs. We agree with the statements that are copied here from both the ASCA and USASA web sites. We in no way condone or support the misrepresentation of these miniaturized dogs as being included in or a size variety of the Australian Shepherd.
ASCA statement regarding minis:
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"The Miniature Australian Shepherd, North American Shepherd, North
American Miniature Australian Shepherd, and/or Toy Australian
Shepherd breeds are not recognized as a variety of Australian
Shepherd by ASCA. The club considers such dogs to be a distinct and
separate breed and will not accept them into its registry.
"Our bylaws state that ASCA's purpose is: 'To encourage members and
breeders to accept one breed standard for the Australian Shepherd as
approved by the Club as the only standard of excellence by which
Australian Shepherds shall be judged.' It is the mission of this club
and the mission of its members to preserve the breed rather than
change it."
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USASA statement regarding minis:
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"Statement concerning the Miniature Australian Shepherd, and the Toy Australian Shepherd.
Recently there has been a rise in the movement to breed miniature and toy versions of the Australian Shepherd.
The Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd are not recognized or considered varieties of the Australian Shepherd by this organization, the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. (USASA), or by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Since these dogs are not AKC registered, they cannot be verified by USASA as purebred, and therefore are not considered Australian Shepherds by this organization.
The USASA does not support the purposeful breeding of Miniature Australian Shepherds and Toy Australian Shepherds, and expects all members who have breeding programs to breed to the USASA/AKC recognized standard of excellence. The USASA further expects all members to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the Australian Shepherd."
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Further, those interested in the Australian Shepherd should be aware there are no
size varieties of Australian Shepherds. There is no officially recognized
Australian Shepherd variety such as "Standard," "Mini/Miniature," or
"Toy" Australian Shepherd.
The ASCA Australian Shepherd Breed Standard addresses the characteristics that should be found in the Australian Shepherd, including information on the size.
Advertisers of Standard, Miniature, and Toy Varieties of Australian Shepherds
are simply employing marketing terminologies to facilitate sales to the unsuspecting public of animals
that are, in reality, just dramatically smaller than the norm. They have set up their own registry to support their new breed, which is in fact a combination of breeds used to miniaturize any Australian Shepherds who may have been included in their original breeding stock. As stated above, their breed is not recognized by any original breed clubs or kennel clubs.
Responsible, reputable Australian Shepherd breeders who care about
protecting the Australian Shepherd, our unique, American breed of stock dog, do not promote the sale of
Standard or Miniature or Toy Varieties of Australian Shepherds. This is a
marketing ploy to sell faulty, undersized puppies, often of mixed breed, for increased prices.
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e-mail to Cliff or Tina.
