01 · Origins & purpose
Breed Overview & History
The American Moxie is a developing companion-performance breed founded primarily on Papillon, Miniature American Shepherd, and Border Collie ancestry. First bred in the United States, the program seeks to establish a consistent, recognizable breed with its own identity.
Ebonheart’s story began with Amanda and Jocianna in 2012. When Amanda’s sister Jessica wanted a puppy, Amanda set out to raise one with the care and connection she knew with Jocianna. The first litter, bred with Biscuit, included Kairi, who became Jessica’s companion and continued the foundation line. These early dogs were affectionately called Aussillons. Border Collie ancestry was introduced in 2024, bringing together the three founding influences in the dogs now called American Moxies.
The breeding program combines a manageable companion size with athleticism, versatility, intelligence, trainability, confidence, and emotional stability. A reliable ability to settle and relax is as important as enthusiasm for activity.
The line remains in its foundation stage, shaped with integrity, collaboration, and purpose. Ebonheart seeks collaboration with devoted breeders, trainers, veterinarians, and canine experts, with a long-term goal of establishing a breed club to guide responsible development.
Read Jocianna’s story02 · Size & balance
General Appearance & Proportions
The American Moxie is a small, confident, and intelligent dog, exhibiting both strength and stamina in movement and build. The body is slightly longer than tall. The coat is long, and the ears are moderately large, erect, and naturally inclined slightly outward, contributing to the breed’s distinctive outline.
- Ideal adult height
- 13–15 inches at the withers
- Acceptable height range
- 12.5–15.5 inches
- Expected adult weight
- 15–25 pounds
- Body length to height
- 1.05–1.10:1 approximately
Height
All height measurements are taken at the withers. Dogs within the acceptable range should not be penalized for height alone, although those within the ideal range are preferred.
Height faults
- 12 inches to less than 12.5 inches.
- Greater than 15.5 inches but less than 16 inches.
Height disqualifications
- Any dog measuring below 12 inches at the withers.
- Any dog measuring 16 inches or taller at the withers.
Weight alone does not constitute a fault or disqualification. Overall proportions, structural soundness, appropriate body condition, and functional athleticism are more important.
Body proportions reflect balanced, functional structure with Australian Shepherd influence. Construction is athletic and sound, with appropriate substance without excessive heaviness. Proportions support endurance, agility, and efficient movement, without exaggeration.
03 · Formal descriptions
Detailed Conformation Standard
Head, skull & muzzle
The head is strong and of medium width, in proportion to the body. The stop is moderate and well defined. The muzzle is substantial, broad, and well-filled rather than narrow or snipy, with a rounded tip. It is approximately one-third the length of the head from nose to occiput.
Lips are tight, thin, and black. A complete scissors bite is preferred, with properly aligned jaws and teeth.
Bite
A complete scissors bite is preferred, with properly aligned jaws and teeth.
Ordinary faults: an undershot bite measuring up to and including ⅛ inch (3.2 mm), or an overshot bite measuring up to and including ⅛ inch (3.2 mm).
Disqualifications: an undershot bite exceeding ⅛ inch (3.2 mm), an overshot bite exceeding ⅛ inch (3.2 mm), or bite abnormalities resulting in significant traumatic contact, injury, or functional impairment.
A slight undershot or overshot bite should not automatically disqualify an otherwise excellent American Moxie. The severity of the deviation and its effect on dental health and function should be considered. The ⅛-inch tolerance applies equally to undershot and overshot bites.
Eyes & expression
Eyes are expressive and alert, conveying intelligence and attentiveness. Eyes are medium-sized and open almond-shaped, with slightly oblique placement. They are neither bulging nor sunken, with fully pigmented black eye rims.
Lighter eye colors are preferred, including blue, amber, hazel, and light brown. Dark brown eyes remain acceptable and are not considered a fault. Lighter eye color serves as a preference only when dogs are otherwise comparable. Eye shape, placement, expression, and overall harmony with the head are more important than eye color alone.
Ears
Ears are erect, moderately large, appropriately wide-set, and slightly rounded in shape. They naturally incline slightly outward and are harmonious with the head and overall silhouette. Fully erect ear leather is preferred, although a slight tip is permissible.
Ear feathering is abundant, long, silky, and flowing. The ideal fringe is full and elegant while retaining a natural appearance, without excessively heavy or exaggerated feathering.
Neck, topline & body
The neck is firm, clean, and of medium length, slightly arched at the crest and blending smoothly into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular, slightly longer than tall at the withers.
The topline is straight and level when standing naturally. The chest is deep and strong with well-sprung ribs. The abdomen is moderately tucked.
Forequarters & feet
Shoulders are well developed and laid back to allow freedom of movement. Forelegs are straight, strong, and parallel, with toes pointing forward.
Pasterns are short, thick, and strong yet flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. Feet are oval and compact with well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails are short and strong.
Front dewclaws are preferred but may be removed if medically necessary.
Hindquarters
Hindquarters are well defined and angulated, with width approximately equal to that of the forequarters at the shoulders. Hocks turn neither inward nor outward.
Legs are medium-boned and parallel when viewed from behind. Preference is given to dogs not born with rear dewclaws. If rear dewclaws are present at birth, they are removed.
Coat, furnishings & undercoat
The coat is long and moderately thick. Hair is fine, silky, and may have a very slight wave, lying flat along the back and sides of the body.
A light undercoat is preferred, with moderate undercoat acceptable. The undercoat should be more substantial than that typically found in a Papillon but noticeably less dense than that of an Australian Shepherd or Border Collie. A heavy, dense undercoat is not ideal.
A profuse frill is present on the chest, with moderate breeches on the rear reaching the hocks. Hair is short and close on the skull, face, front of the forelegs, from hock to foot, and on the feet. The tail is covered with a long, flowing plume.
Color, markings & pigmentation
The coat has substantial, well-distributed Irish spotting, a complete white collar, and balanced markings. White should be present on the chest, muzzle, legs, feet, and tip of the tail. A clearly defined blaze and nose band are highly desirable.
Color other than white must cover both ears, front and back, and extend without interruption over both eyes. The nose, eye rims, and lips must be well pigmented black.
Solid coloration is a serious fault. Merle, piebald, and albinism are disqualifications.
Tail
The tail is long and high set, naturally carried in a loose, graceful arch over the body. The plume may fall to either side.
Movement & gait
Movement is smooth, fluid, and effortless, with efficient ground coverage and minimal wasted motion. The gait demonstrates balanced reach and drive, economical action, and functional athleticism, endurance, and agility, reflecting the influence of the Border Collie’s efficient working gait.
The topline remains firm and substantially level during movement, without stiffness or wasted motion. Exaggerated extension, excessive lift, and inefficient movement are not desired.
04 · Character & partnership
Temperament & Working Suitability
The breed must be lively and responsive in action while maintaining the ability to settle into calm, focused attention when working. A strong desire to please their handler is essential, without excessive dependency or emotional fragility. American Moxies should not display aggression, nervousness, or anxiety. The breed should be approachable, adaptable, and mentally resilient.
Confidence, emotional stability, intelligence, trainability, and a willingness to work cooperatively with people are central to the intended temperament. Athletic enthusiasm is balanced with a reliable off-switch, adaptability to different environments, and suitability for close companionship.
The American Moxie is being developed for versatility, including service-dog work, therapy work, canine sports, acting, and active family companionship. Individual suitability varies. No American Moxie is automatically suited to a specialized working role.
05 · Formal criteria
Faults
Dogs within the acceptable height range of 12.5–15.5 inches should not be penalized for height alone, although those within the ideal range of 13–15 inches are preferred. Dark brown eyes are acceptable and are not a fault. Weight alone is not a fault. The permissible slight ear tip is not a fault.
Height
- 12 inches to less than 12.5 inches.
- Greater than 15.5 inches but less than 16 inches.
Coat
- Excessively thick coat that is difficult to maintain
- Excessive shedding
- Coarse coat texture
- Short coat length
- Coat that drags on the ground
Color & pigmentation
- Lack of pigment on nose, eye rims, or lips
- White covering the front or back of the ears
- White over the eyes
Head & ears
- An undershot bite measuring up to and including ⅛ inch (3.2 mm).
- An overshot bite measuring up to and including ⅛ inch (3.2 mm).
- Ears that are small, set too high or too low, or unable to stand erect
Forequarters
- Straight front assembly that restricts ease of movement
Hindquarters
- Hindquarters not balanced with forequarters
- Poor angulation resulting in stiffness of gait
Tail
- Low-set tail
- Tail not carried in an arch over the back
06 · Formal criteria
Serious Faults
- Solid coloration
07 · Formal criteria
Disqualifications
Height
- Any dog measuring below 12 inches at the withers.
- Any dog measuring 16 inches or taller at the withers.
Other disqualifications
- Merle
- Piebald
- Albinism
- Timidity
- Skittishness
- Aggression toward other dogs
- Aggression toward humans
- Excessively thick coat causing difficulty in grooming or predisposition to overheating
- All-white dogs
- An undershot bite exceeding ⅛ inch (3.2 mm).
- An overshot bite exceeding ⅛ inch (3.2 mm).
- Bite abnormalities resulting in significant traumatic contact, injury, or functional impairment.
08 · Health testing & breeding requirements
Health Testing & Breeding Requirements
These requirements govern responsible breeding within the developing American Moxie program. They are separate from the physical conformation traits, movement, temperament, faults, and disqualifications of the formal breed standard.
Mandatory evaluations for breeding dogs
All American Moxies intended for breeding must undergo the following evaluations. These are mandatory breeding-health requirements, not optional recommendations.
- OFA Hip Evaluation
- Assessment for hip dysplasia.
- OFA Elbow Evaluation
- Assessment for elbow dysplasia.
- OFA Patellar Evaluation
- Assessment for patellar luxation.
- OFA Eye Examination
- Examination by an appropriate veterinary ophthalmologist.
- OFA Cardiac Evaluation
- Assessment for hereditary cardiac abnormalities.
- DNA Genetic Health Screening
- Comprehensive screening for relevant inherited genetic conditions, including conditions associated with the founding breeds.
Puppy DNA screening
Ebonheart Kennel also performs Embark DNA testing on puppies. This screening provides information about genetic health, ancestry, and diversity to support responsible future breeding decisions. It is distinct from the mandatory health evaluations required for breeding adults and does not replace them.
Genetic diversity & inbreeding
Genetic diversity must be maintained while developing consistency in type, structure, and temperament.
- Ideal genomic coefficient of inbreeding
- Below 10%
- Maximum routine breeding-approval threshold
- 20%
Genetic diversity is considered alongside health, temperament, structure, and overall breeding suitability. These percentages are breeding-management criteria, not guarantees of health. A low coefficient of inbreeding does not eliminate hereditary disease risks.