The Miniature Australian Shepherd was started as a breed in 1968 from a group of small select Australian Shepherds.  The size on conformation was achieved over 10 years of breeding, crossing the smallest standard size Australian Shepherds. Scarce, they were smaller Aussies to be sought out and used in this breeding program. 

The ideal Miniature Aussie is the mirror image of the "Standard Australian Shepherd," only in a small package.  Size ranges from 13" to 18" tall, measured at the top of the withers.  It is in the "Herding Group" and is seen in the Breed and Obedience Ring, as well as in the home as a supremely devoted companion and pet. 

A Miniature Australian Shepherd has all the attributes of the larger Aussie but the advantages of a smaller dog, weighing between 15 to 35 pounds at maturity.  They come in coat colors of blue merle, red merle, black or red tri or bi.  All come with or without copper/tan and white trim.  Their eyes maybe blue, brown, hazel (amber) or one blue, one brown, and freckled or marbled.  Their tails are sometimes naturally bobbed and longer ones are docked. 

The Miniature Aussie's temperament is that of the larger Aussie-sensitive, easily trained, excellent natural guardians of the home and processing strong herding instincts.  They are calm and confident, but suspicious of strangers.  They are entirely devoted to their master and will go to great lengths to please.  Their unique size makes traveling companions. 

The Miniature Australian Shepherd is recognized as a breed and in registered by the National Stock Dog Registry, located in Butler, Indiana.  The National Stock Dog Registry (a division of the International English Shepherd Registry Inc.) was the first and official registry for Australian Shepherds.  Since then registries have formed such as North American Miniature Australian Shepherds and miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America.

A Small Australian Shepherd

During the 1960's, a Californian Australian Shepherd enthusiast acquired several small working Aussies from the rodeo circuit. Intrigued by their compact size, she worked with a veterinarian to develop a breeding program in order to preserve the trait, which quickly resulted in litters producing both dogs only 13 to 14 inches tall as well as larger Australian Shepherds. The smaller dogs eventually became known as "miniature" Australian Shepherds.

The mini Aussie soon attracted the attention of experienced Australian Shepherd breeders and eager newcomers. Lines were researched and educated breeding to full-size Aussies was and is strongly encouraged to diversify the gene pool and improve conformation and type of the mini Aussies. Herding instinct, intelligence and drive were preserved and many mini Aussies continue to work a variety of livestock today.