Miniature Aussie Conformation
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Appearance
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a smaller version of its cousin, the Standard Australian Shepherd, and a larger version of its other cousin, the Toy Australian Shepherd. The three different varieties are exhibited separately. The Miniature Australian Shepherd should be a well-balanced dog of moderate size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. He should be much more swift and limber than his larger cousin, the Standard. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness, with coloring that has two base colors, black and red, and dilutations of both set colors known as blue merle and red merle. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity should be well defined.
Character
The 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 enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but should have no signs of shyness. He also be inquisitive. Although an authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is not acceptable.
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.
Teeth
A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. An even bite is a fault. Teeth broken or missing by accident are not penalized.
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 of color.
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 ears 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 foursquare 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 four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
Forequarters
The shoulder blades (scapula) 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 approximately 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 and compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters
Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis and 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 merle, solid black and solid red all 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 merle and red do not. 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.
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.
Size
Preferred height at the withers for males should be in our opinion 15 to 18 inches; the females should be 14 to 17 inches. The different size allowances help to define the sexes. However, quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Undershot bites; overshot bites. Albinism. Other than recognized colors. White body splashes. Dudley nose. Anything under 14 inches should be disqualified.
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