FirehouseKennels.com
Title
Firehouse Kennels Miniature Australian Shepherds
Contact
Administrative:
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- CORONA CA
- US 92880-5478
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- (909) 549-0330
Registrant:
- Don and Janet Boursier
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- Elfrida AZ
- US 85610
Description
smaller version of the standard Australian Shepherd. The Australian Shepherd, contrary to it's name, was actually developed in the western states of America through the late 1800's to early 1900's. It is thought that they are predominantly descended from the Basque herding dogs popular at that time, but early breeders, breeding strictly for a working dog, also crossed to other herding dogs to give us the Aussies we know today.
Australian Shepherds have varied greatly in size throughout their history with many "small standards" being seen through the decades and in historical photos. The miniature Australian Shepherd was and still is developed directly from the Australian Shepherd.
In 1968 a horse woman in Norco, California, began a breeding program specifically to produce very small Australian Shepherds. Her name was Doris Cordova, and the most well known dog from her kennel was Cordova's Spike. Spike was placed with Bill and Sally Kennedy, also of Norco, California, to continue to develop a line of miniature Aussies under the B/S kennel name. Another horseman, Charles Lassater of Valhalla Kennels soon joined the ranks of mini breeders. Cordova, Lassater and the Kennedy's together attempted to form the first parent club for the miniature. Although the club never quite got off the ground, their stated purpose for developing the miniatures was to produce an Australian Shepherd, under 17" who had the heart, intelligence and drive to work stock, and yet be small enough to travel easily to stock shows and be an in-the-house dog.
