What is an AKC Miniature American Shepherd?

The AKC first recognized the Miniature American Shepherd as a breed in 2015. This very new breed is just a renaming of the well known Mini Aussie which has been around since the 1960's. Created by a horsewomen who loved the standard size Aussies but wanted them travel size. 

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Height:

males 14-19 inches at shoulder

females 13-17 inches at shoulder

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Weight:

Typically 20-40 lbs.  (We expect our puppies to be 25-35lbs. as their parents are)

Males tend to be 5-10 pounds heavier than females, but typically only 1-2 inches taller. 

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Coat types:

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(A full adult coat takes two years to develop. Puppies will have much shorter coats than mature dogs). 

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Show: Silky soft, long coat. Surprisingly low maintenance despite the extra length. Needs regular brushing to prevent matting especially around ears and to check for abrasions.  

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​Working: shorter and thicker, with lighter feathering around ears, legs, belly and chest. Still expect a dense and soft coat. Needs regular brushing to prevent matting and to check for any abrasions but not high maintenance. 

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Temperament:

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MAS are know for their vibrant, positive attitude, confidence and biddable nature. They tend to be very smart with a love of learning. Keenly attuned to their master they are the perfect companion for adventure seekers and active families. They are known for their bouncy joyful countenance and intuitive "on/off- switch." Most pet type minis are less likely to have a strong herding instinct but it is something to be aware of as they are a herding breed. Low to medium drive minis tend to enjoy the work of being a pet, but are not consumed with finding a real job. They are happy to hang out with their family with adequate exercise and stimulation. 

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​Color:

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There are four main coat colors for this breed. Black Tri, Red Tri, Blue Merle, and Red Merle. Black Bi and Red Bi are also acceptable. With our parent pair, all colors are expected. 

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Tails:

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Natural bob is possible but uncommon. We do not dock tails at Sugartop Minis but it is typical to see docked tails for the breed. Though this is becoming less popular.