The Miniature Australian
Shepherd Standard
Shepherd Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
CHARACTER
The Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
HEAD
Clean-cut, strong, dry and in proportion to the body. The topskull 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. Teethbroken or
missing by accident are not penalized. Disqualifications: Undershot bites; overshot bitesexceeding 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.
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. Prick and hound-type ears are severe
faults.
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, setting 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, natural bobbed or
docked.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulder blades (scapulae) are long and flat, close set at the withers, approximately two fingers width at a
natural stance and are well laid back at an angle approximating forty-five (45) degrees to the ground. The upper
arm (humerus) is attached at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight,
perpendicular to the ground. The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. The legs are straight
and powerful. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the
side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and
strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS
Strong and muscular. Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders.
The angulation of the pelvis and the upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and
upper arm forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The
metatarsi are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are
oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear
dewclaws are removed.
COAT
Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quantity
of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below
the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane
and frill, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
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 order of 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 do 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.
Disqualification: Below 14” at the withers.
OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS
Toy-like characteristics (i.e. domed head, bulging eyes, fine bone), monorchidism or cryptorchidism.
Note: The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be judged as if it were an Australian Shepherd in all
respects other than size. The Miniature Australian Shepherd’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.
Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc., PO Box 1692-32790 Winter Park, FL 32790
The Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
CHARACTER
The Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
HEAD
Clean-cut, strong, dry and in proportion to the body. The topskull 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. Teethbroken or
missing by accident are not penalized. Disqualifications: Undershot bites; overshot bitesexceeding 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.
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. Prick and hound-type ears are severe
faults.
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, setting 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, natural bobbed or
docked.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulder blades (scapulae) are long and flat, close set at the withers, approximately two fingers width at a
natural stance and are well laid back at an angle approximating forty-five (45) degrees to the ground. The upper
arm (humerus) is attached at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight,
perpendicular to the ground. The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. The legs are straight
and powerful. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the
side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and
strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS
Strong and muscular. Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders.
The angulation of the pelvis and the upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and
upper arm forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The
metatarsi are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are
oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear
dewclaws are removed.
COAT
Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quantity
of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below
the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane
and frill, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
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 order of 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 do 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.
Disqualification: Below 14” at the withers.
OTHER DISQUALIFICATIONS
Toy-like characteristics (i.e. domed head, bulging eyes, fine bone), monorchidism or cryptorchidism.
Note: The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be judged as if it were an Australian Shepherd in all
respects other than size. The Miniature Australian Shepherd’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.
Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc., PO Box 1692-32790 Winter Park, FL 32790
 |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |  |