Breeding

Question
Is it safe or possible to breed a normal sized male aussie with a miniature female aussie? My wife and I are thinking about doing this but we want to do all of the necesary research first. Thank you for your help.

Lonny

Answer
The Australian Shepherd is a breed with a small gene pool, and you should really learn more about genetics, and the health problems that plague the breed, before you attempt to become a breeder.  Read the material at the links below before you decide to breed your dogs, and do get a mentor who has plenty of experience with this breed.  Mistakes can be very costly to the pups' health and to your pocketbook.
From Wikipedia:
"The Miniature Australian Shepherd and the Toy Australian Shepherd are not recognized or considered varieties of the Australian Shepherd by this organization, the United States Australian Shepherd Association, Inc. (USASA), or by the American Kennel Club (AKC). Since these dogs are not AKC registered, they cannot be verified by USASA as purebred, and therefore are not considered Australian Shepherds by this organization.

The USASA does not support the purposeful breeding of Miniature Australian Shepherds and Toy Australian Shepherds, and expects all members who have breeding programs to breed to the USASA/AKC recognized standard of excellence. The USASA further expects all members to be ever vigilant in the preservation and protection of the Australian Shepherd."

http://www.ashgi.org/articles/health_surveys_dirty_doz.htm
http://www.ashgi.org/tensteps/tensteps.htm

This site has some informative articles on breeding, and on what constitutes responsible breeding:
http://www.wonderpuppy.net/1breeding.php#breeding

Personally, as an Aussie owner and as a trainer, I would discourage you from breeding your dogs unless you become active in working trials or showing, get a mentor, breed Aussies to Aussies and NOT to mini's, and do all the appropriate health clearances (OFA, CERF, etc.) on the parent dogs (which should, by the time you breed them, have earned a CGC, therapy dog registration, title or working title).
Also, never breed a merle dog to a merle bitch - the puppies can be born with horrible eye defects and deafness.