spiritdogs
Posted : 4/18/2010 9:05:02 AM
Tena's points are all well taken. It's hard enough to keep Aussies out of the hands of people ill-equipped to manage them without making them smaller and giving people the idea that this is another Something-poo that they can easily live with or tote around in a handbag. When the mental capacities of these dogs remain true to their herding heritage, they can be a tiny nightmare on wheels, which is why so many of them end up in rescue.
From ASCA:
"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 ASCA and the mission of its members to preserve the breed rather
than change it."
From USASA:
"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."