Quote:
Originally posted by bckrazy
hm... show Aussies (IMHO) are not always the best example of what a good working Aussie or the original Aussies should look like. For one, a show Aussies coat is drastically different from any working Aussie... its fluffed up, teased, and poofy (NOT practical for a dog working livestock in the Southwestern prairies/plains). Like Border Collies and GSDs and all of the other herding breeds, the vast majority of show Aussies have no or little working experience OR instinct. The original Aussies were much more compact than the AKC has made them.
I LOVEEE Miniature Australian Shepherds! You should research them a little more, they're really nice dogs with an awesome breed club and breeders behind them. I'm STOKED that they arent recognized with ACK, because they have ruined sooo many herding breeds already (especially Aussies and BC's)! Best of all, the North American Miniature Shepherd Club is super active in herding and herding instinct/skill is in the standard. At the place I take Gonzo for Agility, there are many more awesome Mini Aussies herding out there than there are Aussies, actually. Basically, they're a down-sized (instead of 65 lbs, 35 lbs) less watered down (as far as herding drive) version of Aussies, and they're definitely a breed all their own... I haven't found that they're AT ALL a 'trendy' version of Australian Shepherds. And, Mini Aussies are eligible to compete with the ASCA in all activites except for showing.
bleh... anyway, back to PICT's post! You know you're awesome for helping out that little guy!! OMG, he sounds so adorable. If I lived anywhere near Ohio, I would totally steal him from you! :) wow, I really do hope he finds a good home... and I hope his owners *dont* reply if they haven't taken good care of him. I've actually met a few ACD's that were working dogs and weighed around 25-30 lbs, but those were females. They were bred to be stout little dogs, though.. is it possible that he's part Corgi, or even Mini Aussie? Good luck with him!
Thanks for the info, but I knew all of that already. lol.