History

An Australian Shepherd, a breed of herding dog attained enormous popularity after the Second World War when horse shows and rodeos became a widely accepted entertainment in the western part of United States. The Aussie as the breed is fondly called was introduced to the public through these riding shows. Australian Shepherds became even more popular when the dog was featured in Disney movies. Not many people know however, that the Australian Shepherd name is a misnomer. The Australian Shepherd is a "made in America" breed. These outstanding dogs are not even recognized in Australia. As what is customary, people can't get enough of a thing that is too good. Owning Tea cup dogs have become a status symbol. Miniature breeds are usually owned by the affluent. In 1968, Doris Cordova of Norco, California started the development of a miniature variation of the Australian Shepherd. The breeding program aims to develop a "smaller bundle of the great package".

Being a variation of the Australian Shepherd, the origin of the Miniature Australian Shepherd is closely linked to the origin of the standard breed. The Australian Shepherds does not have a precise origin. Development of this breed is believed to have started in the late 1800s when early settlers to the American colonies coming from Scotland, Great Britain, Spain, Australia and Latin America flocked to North America bringing with them herding dogs to manage the massive flocks of sheep. Herding dogs were as well brought by the Australian emigrants but the Australian Shepherd is believed to have developed from the herding dogs of the Basque Shepherds coming from the Pyrenees Mountain of Spain. The reason why the breed was given the Australian Shepherd name was not known although it is highly probable that this happened when the Basque people have left the Basque country for other parts of the world, these sheepherding and ranching people have passed Australia. Whatever the origin, these dogs were highly valued for the service they render to the local ranchers by efficiently working the sheep, cattle and other livestock.

The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a recently developed breed. First specimens of this toy breed were born in the late sixties. Small Australian Shepherds obtained by Doris Cordova from the rodeo circuit became the foundation stock for this breed. The programmed breeding produced standard sized dogs as well as puppies measuring from 13 to 14 inches. These dogs that were called Miniature Aussies have attracted the attention of breed enthusiasts as although miniature in size, the newly developed breed possess the intelligence, the drive and the superior herding instinct of the standard size. The National Stock Dog Registry was the first registry to accept the Mini Aussie. The breed became very popular as the dog is a joy to work with. In 1990, the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA  was formed and the North American Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of the USA  also. However, the breed is not recognized by the Australian Shepherd Club of America. The American Kennel Club does not recognize the breed as a variant of the Australian Shepherd.