The USASA Board has consistently and unequivocally stated its position on the Miniature Australian Shepherd for some time now (see "Statement Concerning Mini Aussies" on this web site). 

The USASA Board has also communicated over the years with AKC on this issue.  When it first became an issue for AKC and its ILP program in 2002, USASA requested that ILP numbers be denied all dogs described as "Miniature Australian Shepherds", "Toy Australian Shepherds", and other variants on that theme.  That request was implemented.

Most recently, AKC staff met with the USASA Board at its December meeting to discuss issues involving a dog that is ILP'd as an Australian Shepherd but which is under investigation because complainants assert it has competed as and been advertised as a "North American Shepherd".

As a result of that meeting, the USASA Board promptly communicated the following to AKC:

The United States Australian Shepherd Association is requesting that the AKC consider the following policy in regards to dogs applying for and/or receiving ILP numbers as Australian Shepherds.

o        Modification of the ILP application form to include a statement that, to the owner’s knowledge, neither the dog nor its parents are registered or identified anywhere as a breed other than that stated on the application.

o        When an application is rejected because an unrecognized breed has been selected (e.g. Miniature Australian Shepherd), a subsequent application as a recognized breed for the same dog should be rejected.

o        Dogs that receive an ILP number as an Australian Shepherd that subsequently are proven to have been represented as another breed before or after receiving the ILP number, will have that ILP number and any AKC awards received revoked.  Representation as another breed may be proven with documentation including, but not limited to, registration papers, entry forms, or advertisements.

o        We request implementation of this policy on a retroactive basis, to apply to any dog that has been misrepresented as an Australian Shepherd for purposes of obtaining an ILP number.

These recommendations were considered at the January meeting of the AKC Board and USASA has been told informally that these recommendations were "positively received".  The USASA Board is now awaiting a formal response.

As for the individual case that is now under investigation, it must be clear that the USASA Board condemns the practice of a dog being AKC registered or ILP'd as an Australian Shepherd when, outside of AKC competition, it is being trialed and/or represented as something else.  However, it is not within USASA's province to render judgments on whether individual dogs have been properly registered or granted ILP numbers.  That is solely AKC's jurisdiction.  When such cases arise, USASA is there as a resource and a support, as we have been and continue to be in this most recent case.

It is the desire of the USASA Board that this case, and all others, be thoroughly and fairly adjudicated.  The Board also desires that cases of this type do not arise in future and has therefore submitted the policy and procedure recommendations outlined above.  The Board will continue its commitment to both of these goals.