Mini Yorkshire Aussie

The Mini Yorkshire Aussie, a mix of the Miniature Australian Shepherd  (sometimes called the Miniature American Shepherd) and the Yorkshire Terrier, is a newer hybrid which has little information available about the hybrid itself.  To get an idea about the history of the breed, we'll need to look at the histories of the parent breeds.  The Miniature Australian Shepherd breed parent has an interesting history.  Contrary to origins the name may imply, the larger Australian Shepherd breed (the breed from which the mini version is derived) is not believed to have originated in Australia, having instead emanated from the basque regions between France and Spain.  The "Australian" part of the name seems to have come from the fact that the basque shepherds actually came from Australia, bringing their working dogs with them.  These dogs were initially bred for shepherding activities and, in the 1800's, came to the Northwest United States with immigrant shepherds.  The Australian Shepherd of those days looked a great deal different than the larger version does today, with functionality being more important than appearance. Over time, breed characteristics of the Australian Shepherd became more standardized and the breed was recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1991 as a distinct canine breed.  In the 1960's, a Californian became quite interested in several small Aussies that she received from the rodeo circuit.  Amazed by their compact size, she teamed up with a veterinarian to put together a breeding program which resulted in litters containing Aussie pups of both larger and smaller sizes.  This eventually intrigued the professional breeding communities and more effort was put into the development of the "mini" Aussie we see today.  However, recognition as a separate and distinct breed was a longer and harder road to travel for the Mini Aussie enthusiasts.  After much deliberation and discussion over the name and breed standards, it wasn't until 2015 that the AKC recognized the mini version but not without a name change to Miniature American Shepherd.  Accordingly, you may find a Mini Yorkshire Aussie who is the result of breeding a Miniature American Shepherd with a Yorkshire Terrier...but be assured, it is the same sweet, intelligent and cuddly hybrid that we are writing about today.  The Yorkshire Terrier parent breed history isn't quite so colorful or tumultuous. Originating in the county of Yorkshire, England in the 19th century, this, a larger version at that time, was bred to hunt and eliminate rats and other vermin who infested clothing mills.  The breed origins can be traced to the Waterside Terrier, the Manchester Terrier and the Paisley Terrier and was, in the beginning, generally owned by the working class, especially those whose trade was weaving. It is believed by some that other breeds may also have had a contribution to the Yorkie development:  Maltese, Skye Terrier, Dandie Dinmont Terrier, the rough black and tan English Terrier, the Leeds Terrier and the Clydesdale Terriers (the latter two of which are now extinct).  This tiny canine breed was a member of the English Kennel Club from its inception in 1873, coming to the United States in the 19th century to become an extremely popular  "portable pup" to this very day.  The Yorkshire Terrier was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1885 and has been the darling of untold thousands ever since.