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Location: OregonYears in the breed: 20MASCUSA member? I was, but amnot currentlyProgram Type: Service/ESA Breeder 1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in breeding Miniature American Shepherds? I have been training, breeding, and showing dogs for over 20 years. I began with Australian Shepherds and have been involved with Miniature American Shepherds since 2006. I live in Oregon with my husband, Tony, my service dog, Cherry, and six generations of Rebel Soul dogs. I am deeply invested in pedigrees and have a particular appreciation for bi-color dogs. I believe in raising puppies with intention and integrity, and that temperament is everything. 2. What drew you to the Miniature American Shepherd breed, and what do you love most about them? My first service dog was a Mini, and she saved my life. I was drawn to their unwavering loyalty and the depth of the bond they form with their owners. They are also incredibly versatile and highly intelligent. 3. How do you approach the breeding process to ensure the health and well-being of your dogs? Research, research, research. It’s not only about the individual pairing or ensuring pedigrees are compatible — it’s about envisioning my program multiple generations down the road. I strive to collect as much data as possible on both individual dogs and their pedigrees. I spend countless hours studying multiple generations within my own lines, as well as the pedigrees I plan to incorporate. My in-depth knowledge of Miniature American Shepherd and Australian Shepherd pedigrees is central to my research and long-term breeding decisions. 4. What are the most important qualities you look for in a Miniature American Shepherd when considering breeding? Temperament is paramount. If I can’t live with it, I don’t care how many BIS titles it has — it’s not worth it to me. Happy customers and well-adjusted dogs will always matter more than a ribbon. 5. What challenges have you faced as a breeder, and how have you overcome them? I think the biggest challenge is having the courage to follow your own path, even when othersdisagree. Many people told me not to use one of my foundation bitches, yet I wouldn’t be where Iam today without her. I believe we must trust our instincts and remain true to ourselves. 6. Can you describe your kennel’s environment and how you ensure that your dogs are well-socialized? My dogs live in my home, and my puppies are raised in my living room—not in a kennel. We live on a farm, so they grow up surrounded by animals and everyday activity. My husband is a musician, ensuring our dogs are exposed to a wide range of sounds from an early age. We also welcome many visitors, giving the puppies gentle, hands-on interaction from day one. 7. How do you select prospective owners for your puppies? What qualities do you look for? I use a detailed puppy application and a phone interview to ensure I’m working with the right people. Each litter…

Location:  Georgia Years In The Breed: 20+ MASCUSA Member:  Fran was a long-time member prior to her death then granted Honorary Membership by MASCUSA BOD & Kim has re-applied Program Type: Hobby Breeder Pictured Left to Right; Fran Withers, Kim Johnson, & Lorri Gordon 1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in breeding Miniature American Shepherds? Fran founded Dynasty Aussies and moved to downsize with her smaller Aussies. We met in Georgia at her training facility and a few years later we became partners. Xena was our first co-own dog. 2. What drew you to the Miniature American Shepherd breed, and what do you love most about them? Intelligence and Versatility 3. How do you approach the breeding process to ensure the health and well-being of your dogs? As smaller breeders we know the dog’s health history, how long they lived, what they died from and what problems they had in their lives.. Health testing is done before they enter our breeding program. We are fortunate to have an extensive database of pedigrees that allow us to see what matches produced the best outcome. 4. What are the most important qualities you look for in a Miniature American Shepherd when considering breeding? Temperament is number one for Dynasty Mini’s the vast majority of the puppies live in pet homes, and we want to have dogs that are sound in mind and body. A strong front assembly and the ability to use it correctly. Movement is a key to our breeding side gait and the ability to converge. 5. What challenges have you faced as a breeder, and how have you overcome them? Size was an issue at the start it was all over the place, I think as we have progressed it has stabilized. People upholding contracts, they can be hard to enforce but it can be done with a well written contract, have an attorney review your contract and when you need to enforce it. One thing that people don’t plan for is death, with Fran’s passing I learned how much you need to have plans in place for the papers to be signed, stored semen to be transferred and even your kennel name. Make sure you have this written down and your family knows what to do and where to find it. 6. Can you describe your kennel’s environment and how you ensure that your dogs are well-socialized? All of our dogs live in homes; we don’t have a kennel. Luckily, we have several co-owners that we work with either send the girls to us when it is time to whelp or whelp the litters with my assistance. Our puppies are raised in our homes exposed to the other dogs, cats, kids and different environments in the home. The adult dogs that live with us do lots of different activities from conformation, rally, obedience and FAST CAT. We go out to lots of dog events in our community. 7. How do you select…

Location: Wyoming Years Breeding: 20 MASCUSA Member: Yes Program Type: Small Breeder 1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in breeding Miniature American Shepherds? I have been in dogs professionally for over 50 years. I showed obedience and trained in Schutzhund. My aunt was an Aussie breeder and got me involved with Aussies. About the time I got my first female Aussie I got involved in movie work. She did a bunch of things but most notably she did the Walt Disney movie Flight of the Navigator. She was maybe 16″. I also rescued Aussies from shelters, trained and adopted them to new homes. (~200 in a year) At that time, I noticed how big the Aussies were getting. I ran into the minis at a show where I met Lynn Gray, Judy Linder and Karen Keller to name a few. I explored showing and soon began breeding to produce my own show dogs. I understand from rescuing overpopulation of the breed, so I have limited breeding. I am super selective on who and when I breed. This is a fun thing for me and will continue to be. In the past, I was a horse show judge, so I learned an eye for structure and movability which I use for my dogs. When I look at my minis, I want to see an Australian Shepherd in a smaller package with Aussie structure, movement and temperament. 2. What drew you to the Miniature American Shepherd breed, and what do you love most about them? I wanted an Aussie in a smaller package like they were years ago. I love their temperament and loyalty. 3. How do you approach the breeding process to ensure the health and well-being of your dogs? I used to be a vet tech, so I keep a close eye on each one and I keep up with the health requirements for the breed. As a small breeder, I breed maybe 1 litter a year. Temperament is assessed as part of my breeding program by rating adult dogs’ personality traits. The evaluation uses a scale with categories A, B, and C, where “A” is the highest. Each category is defined by specific criteria. This rating is applied when evaluating a breeding pair for temperament improvement. I developed the scale based on years of experience with Australian Shepherds, including evaluation and training responses. 4. What are the most important qualities you look for in a Miniature American Shepherd when considering breeding? I look at temperament first. If I can’t get past the attitude, I don’t breed that dog. If that is good, I look at bone, head type, movement and many details of the structure. 5. What challenges have you faced as a breeder, and how have you overcome them? I restarted my breeding program several times until I was satisfied with the results. My new approach has attracted repeat customers over many years, and the pups I retained led to dogs with excellent temperament and show quality. 6. Can you describe your kennel’s environment and…

Location: Utah Years In The Breed: 20+ MASCUSA Member: Yes Program Type: Preservation Breeder 1. Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your background in breeding Miniature American Shepherds? I started in Australian Shepherds at the age of 11. Originally Aussies were smaller, I believe over the years with AKC recognition they have been bred up in size, bone and coat. I have been involved with MAS long before AKC recognition, I am a petite girl and I felt like the MAS that I breed is more true to the Aussies I grew up with. I have maintained true AKC/ASCA Australian Shepherd lineage in my MAS.  2. What drew you to the Miniature American Shepherd breed, and what do you love most about them? Their brains! Such smart dogs, they have a wicked sense of humor. Of course they also are beautiful to look at as well. Every one of them is unique. 3. How do you approach the breeding process to ensure the health and well-being of your dogs? Logically, with research and study. Too many breeders focus on things that do not matter in the long run. A clear DNA breed panel is not an indication of health. Eye Caer, OFA, and longevity is far more an indicator of health. Generations of passing eyes and OFA is more important to me than DNA results.  4. What are the most important qualities you look for in a Miniature American Shepherd when considering breeding? Sound structure, movement and type. Color is only the icing on the cake. DNA results to attempt to avoid producing affected dogs. OFA results, of not only the potential parents, but generations back.  5. What challenges have you faced as a breeder, and how have you overcome them? The frustration of this being a “color” breed and pet buyers only wanting merles or blue eyes. Or of breeders not educating themselves on the breed standard, not understanding the importance of proper movement. (If it doesn’t move correctly, it isn’t built correctly). The breed is suffering so badly from over popularity. Overcoming it?? I just stay in my own lane and do what I feel is best for the breed and for my program. Letting others learn from their own mistakes is best.  6. Can you describe your kennel’s environment and how you ensure that your dogs are well-socialized? Handling a lot as newborns, exposing them to things such as the dremel, the dryer, other dogs and cats. My grandchildren are an amazing asset.  7. How do you select prospective owners for your puppies? What qualities do you look for? I require a phone interview to gauge their potential environment. Getting to know their individual needs is important for both the puppy and the buyer. Forming a relationship to be a constant resource for them is invaluable.  8. What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a breeder of Miniature American Shepherds? FIND A MENTOR. Attend AKC shows, read the breed standard, find…