Yeah what I liked about them was they were game for anything to do with their people, but without being anxious or clingy about it. They otherwise were athletic, independent, minded their own business, and were content to go when you were going and lie around when you were lying around. They had good energy for running. The one I spent time with in the winter didn’t mind the snowy 25~30 degrees and was happy to strenuously hike and climb for hours. Actually my current mutt looks and acts a lot like this (except she reacts in a big way to other dogs and small animals) and is solid red. And she needs her coats in the winter. Maybe I’ll start calling her my special-bred solid-red Dalmatian 
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I would also like one and it would be fun to try Road Trials, although I don’t think there are any held near me. I think finding a good breeder is key, preferably one who breeds for road trials or working. I think like any breed that goes through a trendy phase it can attract unscrupulous breeders and you can run into issues with temperament etc.
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I have a Miniature American Shepherd and love the smaller size. They are not so small that they can’t handle themselves out on hikes etc, but small enough that you can pick them up for crossing obstacles on the trail they may not be comfortable with (like a railway trestle). They fit in a smaller crate for going to dog sports like agility, they take up less room in the tent when camping, etc. I get all the benefits of a full sized one in a smaller, more portable package. I actually think they are the ideal size. 
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Now known as MAS (Miniature American Shepherds) because they don’t conform to the breed standards of Aussies (height, weight, etc). I am glad they are not called Mini Aussies anymore.
You couldn’t give me a MAS. The few I have known were yappy, neurotic, more like a pomeranian on steroids.
I am glad you have a nice MAS.
They aren’t my breed.
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I should have been more clear. Of the dozens I had as customers for my dog treat business in St Pete / Tampa Bay area as well as co-workers with mini Aussie Shepards. They were all kept in apartments, small homes with no backyards, first time dog owner parents, no outlet for energy burning, dog aggressive, resource guarding, teeth on a leash pulling their owners around the market.
I had a booth at one of the largest farmers markets for 10 yrs with my dog treats… I have seen a ton of mini Aussies. I am so glad yours is the exception to the rule; because they all seem to be nuts and need a job which they do not get in city living.
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Unmentioned so far are the Berger Picard breed. I met several at the dog show and thought they were attractive and all dogs were nice when I asked handlers about them. They look rather like the various Shepherd breeds without the slinky rearends. A bit smaller in size, though not little dogs, 50-70 pounds. Various colors too. Prick ears, scruffy faces, rough coated, long tails. This breed was used in the Annie movie for the dog actor.
I like scruffy faced dogs, Deerhounds, Irish Wolfhounds, my Bouviers, so the Picards caught my attention among all the other breeds. Developed in the Picardy region of France, used for herding, all the usual farm needs that the Shepherd breeds do. Not really common in the USA yet, but you can find them. And being uncommon, they are pricey, a little too high for my budget. There was also my thought that I might not have enough jobs to keep it busy. My Mom bred German Shepherds when I was a kid, they would get creative if not kept busy. Did not want a dog like that now!
For the many things people have listed they want to do with their dogs, the Picard breed would be totally capable of doing! Jogging, obedience and agility, jogging beside your bike, the breed is made to do these kinds of things! If you like them, NOW is the time to start looking for puppies. Most breeders are wanting early spring whelping times, to sell in early summer.
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Emotionally my favourite dog was the tailless Australian Sheppard who showed up one day a matted poopy mess and decided he lived with us now (we later ran into his owner’s ex-wife and found out he belonged three doors down, but the owner would leave him locked in a quonset, and only let him out every second weekend when the kids were visiting…so yes, we stole him)
But…our BEST dog, is our current husky, border collie, sheppard cross from a northern reserve. It took a year of making sure she was extensively exercised for her to be a good dog, but she now keeps our property clear of coyotes and fox, but never leaves the property. She is also an 8 time blood doner, and guardian of 10 rescue cats.
Our next dog would be something smaller though. More portable. Duck Toller?
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Well that sounds like a problem with people equating smaller size with low energy, not an issue with the breed itself.
I vehemently agree this is a breed that needs a job and mental stimulation. I often get people stopping us and asking about the breed, often knowing enough to know they are smart and high energy so ask how long of a walk they need every day. So I have to tell them that brainless walking or running every day is not going to cut it with this breed. They need a lot more stimulation than that. A backyard doesn’t cut it either. They will come up with their own entertainment if left to their own devices no matter how big the yard.
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you are 100% correct in that statement. The breeders should be vetting their puppy owners on the traits and needs of this breed. But we all know small = low energy to most people. You are a great MAS owner and advocate for the dogs.
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You just KNOW that someone’s dog is named “Jean-Luc.” 
LOVE dog-naming—I thought “Harry Plotter” was a great name for a Plott Hound that was seen at the Westminster Dog Show. (Maybe we should have a thread about dog names we heard/liked or thought of ourselves. 
)
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I just got emailed this link from Embark yesterday. Lots of name stats and some silly things. Scroll up to get to the beginning of the article.
I know a lot of very cleverly named dogs. One of my favorites is a Beagle named “Read All About It” and his call name is “Extra.” 
My dog’s name is “Hellbent For Leather” and his call name is “Reckless”. He’s a total jerk, too. 100mph all the time. I should have named him Sleeper or something.
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With our barky Shelty who notices EVERYTHING, husband says we should have named him “Herald” so dog would have an excuse for being noisy! I said NO, he would have been even more of an announcer that things are happening! Ha ha
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For all my adult life I’ve had mixes, mostly on the med-large size (50-65 lbs). The common thread was they all had some shepherd in them, smart, but more easy going. A while back I decided to add a smaller dog - one I could lift if needed as I get older…He clearly had a dachshund parent and a dose of something very smart (many think border collie), 27 lbs. He is 13ish and my current shep mix is 8ish. I want to go smallish again when the time comes, but I have now earthly idea what I would want, other than friendly, outgoing with therapy dog potential. So this thread is interesting and giving me some things to ponder.
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I talked to a handler of an American Miniature Shepherd at a show and asked about temperments. She said it really depends on the breeders. There have always been undersized Aussies in the breed and i guess a lot of people liked them so decided to breed them. But the Aussie club wouldn’t allow them to use the Aussie name
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Well I lost my 3 old dogs last year. Just got a Pomeranian and hope to get a Schipperke, which is my main breed, in the spring
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The MAS emerged in California in the 1960’s. The Australian Shepherd emerged in the late 1800’s in the American west from Basque herding dogs, English shepherds, and border collies.
ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) could not accept MAS because MAS dogs don’t meet the breed standards.
I think the mistake a lot of people make with herding breeds is thinking that taking them running or jogging every day is going to reduce their energy. In fact it makes them more fit. You have to reach their minds to tire them out, particularly high drive dogs. You have to teach them their “off button”, and impulse control.
I have 2 of my Aussies here with me in Wellington for the winter. They have gone from farm life to suburbia. One of them is still a pup at 9 months old, the other is a 4 year old. I take them on a scent walk every morning around the neighborhood. That’s essentially their exercise other than the fenced in back yard. I do a little trick training with the puppy and a hide and seek game with both of them. Without an “off button” and impulse control they would be miserable here and probably bordering on neurotic.
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We used to have a Chesapeake, and she was just a wonderful dog. So smart and loyal, just a great girl.
When she died we got a GSD, and they became our farm dog/companion dogs for the next decades. Again, intelligent, loyal, protective, good around the horses, territorial and loving companions.
They were dogs that needed to work, so every day, when we went out to the barn, they had a job to do. And the biggest part of their job, in their minds, was to watch me, and protect me.
I feel I am too old now for another young, big dog, but GSDs and Chesapeakes would always be my choice if I could.
I think that both breeds suit my temperament, (although I don’t know quite what that says about me) but I think that should be taken into consideration too when looking at dog breeds.
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I would get a standard poodle. I love their look, fluffiness and overall happy personality’s. I’ve also thought about a doodle of some sort, but they are so hit or miss with good breeding.
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Based on the two second-hand versions I have at home right now, I think I’d always want to have a Peke going forward.
But anymore my dog aspirations are to have small, older lapdogs (without the actual lying-on-the-lap part), so I’m sure that my future dogs will continue to come from my local municipal shelter like my current and past ones have.
Tricki Woo
Murphy and Hudson
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