Official Standard of the Miniature American Shepherd 

General Appearance:
The Miniature American Shepherd is a small size herding dog that originated in the United States. He is slightly longer than tall with bone that is moderate  and in proportion to body size and height without extremes. Movement is smooth,  easy, and balanced. Exceptional agility combined with strength and stamina  allows for working over a variety of terrain. This highly versatile, energetic  dog makes an excellent athlete with superior intelligence and a willingness to  please those to whom he is devoted. He is both a loyal companion and a biddable  worker, which is evident in his watchful expression. The double coat of medium  length and coarseness may be solid in color or merled, with or without white  and/or tan (copper) markings. He traditionally has a docked or natural  bobtail.


Size, Proportion and Substance:
Size: Height for dogs is 14 inches up to and including 18 inches at the top of the withers. Height for bitches is 13 inches up to and including 17 inches at  the top of withers. Disqualification: under 14 inches and over 18 inches for dogs; under 13 inches and over 17 inches for bitches. The minimum heights set forth in this breed standard shall not apply to dogs or bitches under six months  of age. Proportion: Measuring from the point of the shoulder to the point of the  buttocks and from the highest point of the shoulder blade to the ground, he is  slightly longer than tall. Substance: Solidly built with moderate bone in  proportion to body height and size. Structure in the dog reflects masculinity  without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of
bone. 

Head:  The head is clean-cut, dry, and in proportion to the body. Expression: Alert, attentive and intelligent. May express a reserved look and/or be watchful of strangers.

Eyes: The eyes are set obliquely, almond shaped, neither protruding nor sunken and in proportion to the head. Acceptable in all coat colors, one or both eyes may be brown, blue, hazel, amber or any color combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. The eye rims of the reds and red merles have full  red (liver) pigmentation. The eye rims of the blacks and blue merles have full  black pigmentation.

Ears: Are triangular, of moderate size, set high on the  head. At full attention they break forward and over, or to the side as a rose  ear. Severe Fault: Prick ears and ears that hang with no lift.

Skull: The crown  is flat to slightly round and may show a slight occipital protuberance. The  width and the length of the crown are equal. Stop: The stop is moderate but defined.

Muzzle: The muzzle is of medium width and depth and tapers gradually to  a rounded tip without appearing heavy, square, snipy, or loose. Length is equal  to the length of the crown. Planes: Viewed from the side, the muzzle and the top  line of the crown are slightly oblique to each other, with the front of the  crown on a slight angle downward toward the nose.

Nose: Red merles and reds have  red (liver) pigmentation on the nose leather. Blue merles and blacks have
black  pigmentation on the nose leather. Fully pigmented noses are preferred. Noses  that are less than fully pigmented will be faulted. Severe Fault: 25-50% un-pigmented nose leather. Disqualification: Over 50% un-pigmented nose leather. 

Bite: A full complement of teeth meet in a scissor bite. Teeth broken, missing  or discolored by accident are not penalized. Disqualification: Undershot or  overshot bite. 

Neck, Topline and Body:

The overall structure gives an impression of depth and strength without  bulkiness.

Neck: The neck is firm, clean, and in proportion to the body. It is  of medium length and slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders. Topline: The back is firm and level from the withers to the hip joint  when standing or moving.

Loin: The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the  top.

Croup: The croup is moderately sloped.

Body: The body is firm and well  conditioned.

Chest and Ribs: The chest is full and deep, reaching to the elbow,  with well sprung ribs. Underline: The underline shows a moderate tuck-up.

Tail:  A docked or natural bobtail is preferred. A docked tail is straight, not to  exceed three (3) inches. The undocked tail when at rest may hang in a slight  curve. When excited or in motion the tail may be carried raised with the curve  accentuated. 

Forequarters:
The forequarters are well conditioned and balanced with the hindquarters. 

Shoulders: Shoulder blades (scapula) are long, flat, fairly close set at the withers, and well laid back. Upper arm: The upper arm (humerus) is equal in length to the shoulder blade and meets the shoulder blade at an approximate right angle. The forelegs drop straight and perpendicular to the ground.

Elbow: The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. Viewed from the side, the elbow should be directly under the withers. The elbows should be close  to the ribs without looseness. Legs: The legs are straight and strong. The bone  is oval rather than round. Pasterns: Short, thick and strong, but still  flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side.

Feet: Oval shaped,  compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails  are short and strong. The nails may be any color combination. Dewclaws should be removed. 


Hindquarters:
Width of hindquarters is approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. Angulation: The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) mirrors the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle.

Stifle: Stifles are clearly defined.

Hock: The hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear.

Feet: Feet are oval, compact, with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails are short and strong. The nails may be any color combination. Rear dewclaws should be removed.


Coat:
Moderation is the overall impression of the coat. Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant, and of medium length. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head and  front of the legs. The backs of forelegs and breeches are moderately feathered.  There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches.  Hair may be trimmed on the ears, feet, back of hocks, pasterns, and tail,  otherwise he is to be shown in a natural coat. Untrimmed whiskers are
preferred.  Severe Fault: Non-typical coats.


Color:
The coloring offers variety and individuality. With no order of preference, the recognized colors are black, blue merle, red (liver) and red merle. The merle will exhibit in any amount, marbling, flecks or blotches. Undercoats may be somewhat lighter in color than the topcoat. Asymmetrical markings are not to be faulted. Tan Markings: Tan markings are not required but when present are acceptable in any or all of the following areas; around the eyes, on the feet, legs, chest, muzzle, underside of neck, face, underside of ear, underline of body, under the base of the tail and the breeches. Tan markings vary in shades from creamy beige to dark rust, with no preference. Blending with the base color  or merle pattern may be present on the face, legs, feet, and breeches.
White  Markings: White markings are not required but when present do not dominate.  Ticking may be present in white markings. White on the head does not predominate, and the eyes are fully surrounded by color and pigment. Red merles and reds have red (liver) pigmentation on the eye rims. Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the eye rims. Ears fully covered by color are preferred.
Severe Fault: White markings covering over 25% of an ear. White markings may be in any combination and are restricted to: the muzzle, cheeks, crown, blaze on head, the neck in a partial or full collar, chest, belly, front legs, hind legs up the hock and may extend in a thin outline of the stifle. A small amount of white extending from the underline may be visible from the side,  not to exceed one inch above the elbow. The hairline of a white collar does not  exceed the withers at the skin. If a natural undocked tail is present, the tip  of the tail may have white. Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors.  White body splashes, which means any conspicuous, isolated spot or patch of  white on the area between withers and tail, on back, or sides between  elbows and  back of hindquarters.


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 back remains firm and level. When traveling at a trot the head is carried in a natural position with neck extended forward and head nearly level or slightly above the topline. He must be agile and able to turn direction or alter gait instantly. 



Temperament:
The Miniature American Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. An exceptional companion, he is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and  enthusiasm. Although reserved with strangers, he does not exhibit shyness. He is a resilient and persistent worker, who adjusts his demeanor and arousal appropriately to the task at hand. With his family he is protective, good  natured, devoted and loyal.


DISQUALIFICATIONS:
Under 14 inches and over 18 inches for dogs; under 13 inches and over 17 inches for bitches. The minimum heights set forth in this breed standard shall not apply to dogs or bitches under six months of age.  

Over 50% un-pigmented nose leather.  

Undershot or overshot bite.  Other than recognized colors. White body splashes, which means any conspicuous, isolated spot or patch of white on the area between withers and tail, on back, or sides between elbows and back of hindquarters.


AKC One-time DISQUALIFICATIONS:
    Blindness  
    Deafness  
    Castration, spayed  
    Changed by artificial means 
    Attacks or vicious behavior 

AKC Three-time DISQUALIFICATIONS:
     Undescended testicles  
     Testicles not present


Standards provided by NAMASCUSA. For more information please visit their site at http://www.mascusa.org/standard.php.

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