Dogs can be trained to do a whole range of impressive things, such as empty the dishwasher and detect allergens in food. One, however, has taken to Irish dancing, according to a recent Instagram clip.
In the video posted by @wigglebuttbutters in December, a miniature American shepherd dog named Butters can be seen tapping his front feet on the floor, apparently imitating Irish dancing, made globally famous by ‘Lord of the Dance’ Michael Flatley.
“When you’re trying to throw the frisbee but your dog wants to Irish dance instead,” says the video. His bio says Butters is a mini American shepherd dog, a breed that is described as “true herders” by the American Kennel Club (AKC).
“Minis are bright, self-motivated workers and endearingly loyal and lively companion dogs who have an affinity for horses,” adds the AKC. “The Miniature American Shepherd shares many physical traits with its forebear the Australian Shepherd, only on a smaller scale. Females stand between 13 and 17 inches at the shoulder; males range from 14 to 18 inches.”
Miniature American shepherd dogs closely resemble their cousins, the Australian shepherd. They were initially bred from Australian shepherds, selectively chosen to create a smaller breed.
The AKC adds: “The new breed was originally called the Miniature Australian Shepherd. ‘They became especially popular with equestrians traveling to horse shows, as their intelligence, loyalty, and size made them an excellent travel companion,’ the experts at the…
