Recently there has been a rise in the movement to breed the Miniature Australian Shepherd. The Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd are not recognized "OR" considered varieties of the Australian Shepherd by the following organization:.
Since these dogs are not AKC, UKC, ASCA or CKC recognized/registered, they cannot be verified as purebred, and therefore are "NOT" considered Australian Shepherds. AussBern's Australian Shepherds does not support the purposeful breeding of Miniature Australian Shepherds or Toy Australian Shepherds. We also feel that breeding away from the standard for a diminutive dog and misrepresenting themselves to the public for profit is inexcusable.
http://australianshepherds.org/about-aussies/breed-standard/