Ridgestar Mountain Whisper passing her herding instinct capability test
on November 12, 2011, at 7 months old.

Whisper is co-owned by Julie Harris & Mona Cooper.

At the age of 12 1/2 years old, he achieved his CGC, Scent and Find Titles and the “hotdawg” award at a Wowmasc show this fall.

Betsy Hyer
Sagonige Kennels

Due to the recent developments with some dogs being registered with FSS/AKC as a breed other than an Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety, we ask that all pictures, brags, and announcements for our blog and website pertain to dogs registered as Australian Shepherds of the miniature variety, and ONLY registered as Australian Shepherds of the miniature variety.

MASCA also reserves the right to decide what information and pictures are placed on the official MASCA website.

As of July, 20, 2011, MASCA will no longer allow sanctioning of MASCA conformation shows for NAMSCUSA points. Judge’s books from MASCA shows will not be given to the NAMASCUSA office, and NAMASCUSA Winsheets will not be accepted, by a judge, for signing at a MASCA show.

With the advent of this new policy, MASCA will continue to protect the integrity of MASCA, its registry, MASCA conformation shows, and the Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety. NAMASCUSA/MASCUSA is the designated club for the AKC/FSS Miniature American Shepherd, which aligns their dogs with the new breed Miniature American Shepherd and not with the Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety.

MASCA’s essential mission is to “Preserve, Protect and Work” the Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety. This mission equally preserves the Aussie’s integrity as the most versatile, healthy, highly intelligent, loyal and affectionate companion, or working dog you will ever find… the real Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety

So what then are these “other” dogs we hear about today…. The Miniature American Shepherd, North American Shepherd, and who knows what else? They are simply variants of the Real Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety becoming a new breed through either FSS/AKC or CDHPR/UKC… a dog taken from within portions of the Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety breed standard to suit the whims of special interest groups/individuals.

What happens when all of these variants, with eventually a different gene pool (in 2 years the Miniature American cannot be bred to AKC Aussies), are bred together to “perfect” this new breed with a different standard? Eventually they will change and become an animal that will look very different from the original Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety. Breeding for the AKC show ring will change the physical and mental structure of the dog. It will lose its purpose and its original character, as well as its mental and physical soundness, and will become something entirely different… whatever suits the whim of those controlling the new breed.

It is history repeating itself… it is how the AKC Aussie of today once evolved from the original working ASCA Aussie or how the AKC Border Collie of today once evolved from the ABCA Border Collie, a true sheepdog. If this information isn’t enough, Google the AKC Aussie and the ASCA working line Aussie, or the AKC Border Collie and the ABCA Border collie to see the extreme differences in type.

In closing, remember that the original type of Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety will continue on with the Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America as its protector. So please consider the consequences and help us ensure that the REAL Australian Shepherd of the miniature variety will be here for another 200 years!

Thank you for your support as we move into the future,

MASCA Board of Directors

Photos throughout the website have been submitted by members. Occasionally photos will be changed, to showcase other member’s Aussies.

Photos for the homepage slideshow must accommodate a wide “landscape” orientation (for you techies, the final size is 600 x 250 pixels). Photos do not need to be sized exactly when submitted, but the subject needs to fit the space after cropping. All other photos on the site may be any shape, and will be sized appropriately when posted on the site.

Send in your favorites to president@mascaonline.com.

• You can serve as a contact for the shelter if a miniature Australian shepherd is brought in, through the members list is a great way to get the word out on dogs in need.
• Volunteer with MARS to help with transports or evaluations of the Mini’s in shelters, who knows our breed better than the breeders and supporters?
• Donate your used items in good shape, they can always use blankets, towels or collars. Another items shelters never have enough of are paper towels and metal food bowls.
• If you are involved in a club, have a raffle or fun event to support MARS.
• Also currently there is going to be a large on line raffle to support MARS, get crafty and get some great items out there to help these dogs!

Purina Farms

Gray Summit, MO

May 9 – 13, 2012

1. GR CH Taycin’s Always A Gentleman 692 points, owned by Jeanie McAdams & Jeanine Perron, bred by Jeanine Perron
2. GR CH Timeless Trilogy 301 points, owned by Karen Keller, bred by Karen Keller
3. GR CH Taycins Radiant Red Rogue 286 points, owned by Juliene Laughy, bred by Rayma Wojcik/Tanja Ledutke
4. GR CH A King’s Castle’s Urijah Faber Of Triple R 224 points, owned by Mary Rutkowski, bred by Yvonne Daughtery
5. GR CH Timeless Zero Gravity 216 points, owned by Debra Shambaugh and Karen Keller, bred by Karen Keller
6. GR CH Gottabe Blkbriar Malibu Blue 180 points, owned by Cynthia Jacobs-McAleer, bred by Lori McClelland/Cyndi McAleer
7. GR CH Sagoniges Rockin Robin 105 points, owned by Suzanne Carnegie and Betsy Hyer, bred by Thomas and Betsy Hyer
8. GR CH McFinley’s 1/2 Pint Tankard of Timeless 67 points, owned by Deborah Dulaney and Diane McGee, bred by Deborah Dulaney and Diane McGee
9. CH McStorms Sweet Alyssum 51 points, owned by Carole Hill and Colleen Storms, bred by Michael C Storms
10. GR CH Wigglebutt Agapo Zola 41 points, owned by Julie Lazerwitz, bred by Angela Ogle/Dawn Jeffery Mullins