The American Kennel Club (AKC) now recognizes our dogs as a new breed. Under AKC our dogs are now known as Miniature American Shepherds. We are part of the herding group.

The American Kennel Club and the Miniature American Shepherd Club of the United States of America (formerly NAMASCUSA) have voted to create a new breed registry for the Miniature Australian Shepherd under AKC. The new breed is to be called the Miniature American Shepherd. MASCUSA is to be the parent registry for the new breed.

To pave the way for our dogs to be accepted into AKC, breeders can register their dogs with MASCUSA. Dogs registered with National Stock Dog Registry (NSDR), Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America (MASCA), American Stock Dog Registry (ASDR) or Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) can use the Dual Registered application, sent with a three generation pedigree including registration numbers. Dogs registered with America's Pet Registry, Inc (APRI) can use the Hardship application sent with a three generation pedigree including registration numbers. Hardship dogs must trace back to NSDR, MASCA, AKC, ASCA, CKC or NAMASCUSA within each generation. More information and forms are available at MASCUSA.com.

As of January 1, 2015 dogs registered AKC Australian Shepherd may no longer move to the Miniature American Shepherd. Puppies with a parent that is registered as AKC Australian Shepherd may no longer be registered as a Miniature American Shepherd. The studbook for the Miniature American Shepherd will be open for registering Mini Aussies from NSDR, ASDR, MASCA, ASCA, IMASC, and APRI as Miniature American Shepherds until 2020.

ASCA has indicated that any dogs currently registered with them who are registered elsewhere as anything other than Australian Shepherds will lose all rights and privileges provided by ASCA.

ASDR has done the same.