Im either going to take her to Germany (where they have mini aussies) to mate her or we will get her artificially inseminated from a dog from the US. We will probably go with the artificial insemination as it will be less stressful for Rizzo than travelling.

I'm not looking for support from people as i have got plenty of that from Rizzos breeder. It would be nice if people were pleased though but everyone has their own opinion.

Just wonderful !!!!!!!!!!! :(
I'm with you on this one Roxanne........

Gabrielle x

et moi aussi ;)

Margot

LOL Margot :D ;)

Gabrielle x

:rolleyes: I better say nowt

I wonder if you will gain the support of the standard sized aussie :)  I'm keeping my mouth shut!!!!! :D

Bestdogroom, how is 17" a "mini2?

The breed standard states 18 - 21" for a bitch so you bitch is nothing special, just undersized ;) :D

And how you will guarantee that her offspring will be "mini", there are some breeds who have years of experienced breeders behind them who cannot guarantee size.

Are there not enough health problems in ASD without possibly creating more?

tohme, mini's are under 17 inches and are bred for generations like that with no longer having big ones thrown up in litter's often!  As the title post there is also the toy aussie, about the size of a sheltie!

:(  So sad that the breeds have got smaller and been called mini and toy :(

Rizzo is a pedigree miniature australian shepherd. The breed standard for the mini aussie statesthat they should be 14" - 18" at the withers. She is within the size category. She has an excellent pedigree and both her parents are hip and eye tested. Her parents are 15" and 16" in height. There are no extra health problems associated with the mini aussie than the standard size aussie. Her off spring should be within the size category as she will be mated to one of the top mini aussies in the USA. Miniature Aussies have been around for years in America and are becoming more and more popular. There are many knowledgable sites about the breed on the internet namely www.mascaonline.org and also the nascusa.com  . She does look substantially smaller than the normal sized aussie but still in perfect proportion.

But are they not just recognised by the Mini breed society?   Can they be shown and compete in all shows?

Are they hip scored/eye tested?   And what about epilepsy??

Margot

They are recognised by the American rare breed association and also the national dog stock registry. They also have two main breed clubs which are now merging into one. The websites are www.mascaonline.org and www.namascusa.com . They can't compete in UK champ or open shows yet as they are not recognised by the UK kennel club. They are not yet registered by the AKC but when they are then they will be able to be shown as an imported breed in the UK shows. It wasnt until 1993 that the standard australian shepherd was granted full show privileges in the AKC's Herding Group. It does take time for any breed to become a registered breed by the kennel clubs. They can compete in various non AKC shows such as the ARBA , mini aussie breed shows and conformation shows. In the UK they will be able to compete in agility, obedience and flyball.  Good mini aussie breeders should have their dogs hip and eye scored - both my dogs parents were. Mini aussie pups can be epilepsy evaluated and some breeders consult the Aussie Health and Genetics institute for statistical analysis before breeding from their dogs. They do have the same risk of epilepsy as the standard sized australian shepherd. 

Just by being reconised over there they will not be automatically be shown in import over here unless UK KC say so.  They are not even reg over their.  Any dog can compete in agility etc over here, crossbreed included, so that's nothing.

They should also not be able to go into pedigree classes at companion shows over here.  So basically your mini aussie you are importing and spending a fair amount of money on can do no more then my friends crossbreed she got froma  rescue centre. :(

Your right - i wont be able to show her yet. However - when the breed does become AKC registered i will be able to show her over here as an imported breed. I love the breed and want to introduce it to the UK. She is totally adorable and she will have plenty to do even if she doesnt get shown. She will compete in agility and obedience, plus she will have lots of fun spending time at my grooming salon. Showing is not that important to me compared with her being a loved pet and doing agility etc. I didnt want a cross-breed as i loved the australian shepherd character so much - when i found out about the mini aussie they seemed perfect as i was wanting a smaller dog with the aussie character. Its up to me what i spend my money on - some people might not understand it but then some people may spend lots of money on their hobbies like i dont know classic car collecting or whatever which i may not want to spend money on. Rizzo has the most amazing character and looks and i wouldnt change her for the world. Maybe if you met some miniature australian shepherds you may think differently. I have met several and all have been perfectly in proportion - just like the standard aussie but smaller.

>when the breed does become AKC registered i will be able to show her over here as an imported breed.

There are loads of breeds which are recognised in other countries, but which can't be shown here, even as imported breeds.

Once she is AKC registered i can get her FCI registered and then she should be able to be shown as an imported breed.

And the hip/elbow scoring before breeding?

You cannot show her as an import breed untill the KC over here puts them on the import reg.  My standard aussies also love the grooming and it's with an aussie I got YKC runner up groomer of the year.

yes it's true, it's your money to spend.  I won't like them when I see them.  I prefere my aussies the upper end of the size scale personally.  Not too big so they are over sized.  We have an 18 inch aussie bitch and I'm glad I don't live with her because I cannot live with her size.  I live with Irish Red and White setters.  :)  Perosnally I don't want a mini.

Good luck with brinnging the breed into this country.

Congratulations for coming runner up in the YKC Groomer of the year :) I really wanted to enter this year but couldnt as i was in Florida when they did the qualifying comp at discover dogs.

I may have a while to wait to be able to show her! Maybe it will have to be one of her offspring in the future that i show. Im just looking forward to having her home after the long wait!

We have a few irish setters in the salon. They are always really nice gentle dogs.

As I said, FCI-recognised breeds don't automatically go onto the Import Register. That has to be put to the KC Committee by the proposed breed club, with the suggested standard, before approval. I'm fairly certain that you won't count as a 'breed club' on your own, so you'll need to get other people joining you.

Are you planning on K.C registering this bitch as a ''standard aussie'' import here in the UK ??

Just curious.......

I have to say I think there is enough variation in this breed without adding more.... but nuff said, and staying tight lipped now !!!!!!!!!

Margot, (waves hi) :D I am with you.......... nothing like aussies that conform to the good old breed standard :D

Gabrielle x

no i am not going to register as a kc standard sized imported australian shepherd in the UK. She is registered in the US under the ARBA and the NDSR as a miniature australian shepherd. I didnt want to register her as a standard as she isnt one :) It might be a old breed standard in the UK - (and i do love the larger size aussies - i own one) but the mini aussie has got a long history in the US and its own breed standard there according to the breed clubs. Rizzo has got a very good mini aussie pedigree. I have no intention of varying or breeding with the standard aussie size as i want to introduce the mini aussie as a breed not alter the standard size.

ok, thanks for the information. I am still doing research and finding out stuff all the time. Im sure that lots of people will love the breed so hopefully when they do become AKC then FCI registered (whenever that may be!) then they will be approved and one day ill be showing them in the UK.

But how are you going to get her hip scored by the BVA when the breed is not recognised over here?   Or do you not intend taking this step?

Margot

I am going to have her hip scored and eye tested before i breed from her. The BVA says that you only have to provide your dogs registration certificates IF it is registered with the KC but they dont say that your dog has to be registered. It says that for dogs not KC registered then they just need an appropriate form of identification such as the identification the veterinary practice uses or the dogs passport. Many mini aussies are tested in the US and the breed is listed on the orthopeddic foundation for animals website - www.offa.org listed as the north american shepherd (which is the other name for the miniature australian shepherd)

bestdoggroom,
     Rizzo will speak for herself.  I think it's great that yu love the breed.  Keep doing your researchand I know that whenthe time comes and you do breed she will have all her health checks.  Enjoy her and let her compete.  I can't wait to see pics of her and hear about yur adventures!  Stay true to the breeder and let her guide you.  Send me an email and I can give you lots of info and you will always get encouragement from me! ;)

Thanks aussiesfirst :) Ill email you a photo a took of her last week. She is so sweet.

Hi Margot and Rizzo's mom,
     They are still considered "Rare Breed"  some can compete in AKC shows and have.  Some are registerd AKC, ASCA, MASCA, NSDR and ARBA.  There is even the T(oy)ASCA.  This is a little frightening and I have not really liked any of the information from them.  There are the same health worries in the mini as the standard.   http://www.ashgi.org/links.htm and http://www.arba.org/ are a couple of really great sights.  The genetics for the mini and the standard are the same even the epilepsy. There are worries and breeding any dog is a responsibility that needs more thought than most give.  Be responsible and health conscience.   

For the record, I certainly have NO intention of getting involved in Toy/Mini Aussies!

Give me the standard every day.

Margot - proud owner of 4 Standard Size Aussies :)

ditto margot for the record!

Own 1 aussie in partnership and very involved with showing/grooming and training others! :)  All normal size! :D 

You might like to know theres another 17 inch aussie doing agility....however she's a standard, small for medical reasons.

Sorry Margot,
     I know you love the standard.  The breeding sideline was directed to anyone that is considering breeding.  I know that you are responsible form your posts.  Hopefully no offense taken because none was meant.

None taken - but thought I'd better make sure that No-one misunderstood my posts ;)

Margot