Dog Breed

Miniature American Shepherd

MischievousLong-livedAdventure Driven
Primary image of Miniature American Shepherd dog breed
Full Name
Miniature American Shepherd
Alternate Names
Miniature Australian Shepherd
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Life Span
12 - 15 years
Weight
18 - 30 pounds
Description

The Miniature American Shepherd is one of the newest dogs to be accepted as a "purebred" by the AKC. It was likely developed in California in the 1960s until now, and although the full origin is not clear, the main bloodline comes from small Australian Shepherd.

If you are looking for a smaller dog that can live in an apartment, but is active and ready for an adventure, this is the dog for you. They have plenty of energy, but do not need quite the same level of work and exercise as their larger counterparts- the Australian Shepherd.

They are adaptable, friendly, and a great dog for first time dog owners. They just need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.

Origin
United States of America
Bred For
Companionship
Attachments
    Family Considerations
    Child Friendly

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd good with children?

    Yes, the Miniature American Shepherd is very friendly with children. We still recommend introductions to children while they are young so they get used to them, but the Miniature American Shepherd naturally loves children.
    Stranger Friendly

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd friendly with strangers?

    Yes, the Miniature American Shepherd is very friendly with strangers. We still recommend early socialization while the Miniature American Shepherd is a puppy to introduce them to various new people, but in general they are friendly with everyone.
    Dog Friendly

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd friendly with other dogs?

    Yes! The Miniature American Shepherd naturally loves other dogs. As always, socialization is always important, but the Miniature American Shepherd typically gets along with every dog it meets
    Likes to Cuddle

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd like to cuddle?

    The Miniature American Shepherd likes to cuddle up every once in a while. They appreciate physical affection, but probably won't stay in your lap for extended amounts of time.
    Playfulness

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd like to play?

    The Miniature American Shepherd will almost always be ready for play! The Miniature American Shepherd is great for a family with children, or otherwise, an environment that is always ready for play.
    Service Dog Ability

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd make a good service dog?

    The Miniature American Shepherd would not be a great fit as a service dog for several reasons.
    Overall Ease of Breed
    Ease for Novice

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd good for first-time owners?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is a good breed for first-time owners. A good fit for first-time owners are friendly breeds that are motivated to please their owner. This means they can be trained, and are rarely aggressive and overpowering.
    Training Potential

    How well can the Miniature American Shepherd be trained?

    The Miniature American Shepherd can be trained very well. With discipline and a routine training program the Miniature American Shepherd can be incredibly well-trained.
    Amount of Shedding

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd shed a lot?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is an average shedder. Miniature American Shepherd owners will probably still tell you it's a lot of shedding, but certain breeds shed even more.
    Ease of Grooming

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd easy to groom?

    The Miniature American Shepherd requires an average amount of grooming. Taking your Miniature American Shepherd to the pet salon will make your life easier, but its possible to groom a Miniature American Shepherd on your own as well.
    Exercise Need

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd need a lot of exercise?

    The Miniature American Shepherd requires an average amount of exercise. You should be ready to dedicate a couple of short walks or a larger dog park session each day for your Miniature American Shepherd to be happy and fulfilled.
    Personality
    Intelligence

    How smart is the Miniature American Shepherd?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is very smart. Above-average intelligence means they can pick up on cues and signals quickly when it comes to training. But it also means that they need to be challenged mentally, in addition to their standard exercise needs.
    Amount of Barking

    How much does the Miniature American Shepherd bark? Does the Miniature American Shepherd bark too much?

    The Miniature American Shepherd barks an average amount. It can vary widely between Miniature American Shepherds - some may be much more expressive than others.
    Guard Dog Ability

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd a good guard dog?

    The Miniature American Shepherd would not make a good guard dog. They can be alert, but typically do not have the desire or instinct to take on "guarding" as their job.
    Tolerates Being Alone

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd good at staying alone? Is the Miniature American Shepherd independent?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is not very independent and does not do great when left behind for longer than a couple of hours. This is one of the most important things to consider when getting a new dog.
    Home and Environment Considerations
    Good for Apartment Living

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd a good apartment dog?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is not the best dog apartment living, but it can work if the owner is dedicated to exercising and training their Miniature American Shepherd
    Size

    How big is the Miniature American Shepherd?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is below average when it comes to size. They are not a "toy" breed, but it is still significantly easier to travel with them.
    Tolerates Heat

    How much does the Miniature American Shepherd tolerate hot weather? When is it too hot for a Miniature American Shepherd?

    The Miniature American Shepherd can tolerate some heat, but should not be over-exposed to hot weather. In general, they can live in hot weather climates, but would do best with air conditioning or at least a fan in their home, especially where they sleep.
    Tolerates Cold

    How much does the Miniature American Shepherd tolerate cold weather? When is it too cold for a Miniature American Shepherd?

    The Miniature American Shepherd can tolerate some cold, but should not be over-exposed to cold weather. In general, they can live in cold weather climates, but may need clothing on particularly cold evenings or in snow.
    Potential to Run Away

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd try to run away?

    The Miniature American Shepherd does sometimes run away. This is especially true if they are distracted, or see other cats or dogs. They probably won't go out of their way to "escape", but a fenced yard is still recommended.
    Physical Characteristics
    General Health

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd a healthy dog? The health of a Miniature American Shepherd should be measured not just by how many years they live, but also by how many health issues they've had. It is important to know which health conditions your breed is prone to- hip problems, eye problems, bloating, and arthritis are all common dog health problems.

    The Miniature American Shepherd is very healthy, but it is still important to feed the Miniature American Shepherd high-quality food and to live a healthy lifestyle.
    Energy Level

    How energetic is the Miniature American Shepherd?

    The Miniature American Shepherd has a lot of energy and this needs to be considered before bringing the Miniature American Shepherd into your home. Can you give your Miniature American Shepherd enough exercise? They will need several small daily walks, or a large dog park trip to get all of the energy out.
    Amount of Drooling

    How much does the Miniature American Shepherd drool?

    The Miniature American Shepherd does not drool at all.
    Prey Drive

    Does the Miniature American Shepherd have a large prey drive? Does the Miniature American Shepherd like to chase birds, cats, and other small animals?

    The Miniature American Shepherd has a high prey drive and has a natural tendency to chase after any small animal. Every case is unique, but the Miniature American Shepherd may not be the best dog for living with other cats or small animals.
    Athleticism

    Is the Miniature American Shepherd atheltic?

    The Miniature American Shepherd is athletic and has average levels of endurance. They need a lot of exercise, and can be an exercise partner as long as it's nothing too extreme.
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  1. Herding
  2. Shepherd / Sheepdog
  3. Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd is a purebred dog that belongs to the Shepherd / Sheepdog sub group, which falls under the larger Herding dog breed group.
Herding group: The Herding group dogs all share an instinctual ability to control the movement of other animals. They have traditionally been raised on farms to help herd and protect valuable livestock. They are intelligent, and have been bred to treat each day like they have a "job" they must do. Their innate herding ability is such a big part of who they are, that they are known to even "herd" their owners, children, or other small dogs. Some can seem stubborn and even obsessed with their herding, since they take it seriously! They have high expectations, and must be stimulated mentally just as much as physically. The reward to these "high expectations" is that they can be trained very well, and are oftentimes used in competitions. Certain breeds such as the well known German Shepard are also used by Police forces, because of their discipline, intelligence, and ability to be trained.
Shepherd / Sheepdog sub-group: Shepherd dogs are the super performers of the dog world. For many generations they have served their owners by performing their job of helping in the farm- guarding, protecting, and herding. Shepherds were bred based off intelligence and temperament, and willingness to serve their families. Today they are excellent family dogs, but also excel as military service animals, emotional therapy dogs, and in competitive obedience competitions. They are highly trainable and intelligent, but that does not necessarily mean they are an easy dog or optimal for first time owners. With this potential comes greater responsibility from the owner. They need a firm owner who is willing to stimulate them both physically and mentally from an early age. They need a leader. If they have one, you will be rewarded with one of the friendliest and most intelligent dogs in the World.

Miniature American Shepherds for adoption

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