The miniature American shepherd is an all-American dog. They’re versatile, intelligent, and energetic.
They’re also known as miniature Australian shepherds. However, the AKC officially recognized this breed as the miniature American shepherd in 2015. They’re small herding dogs with striking eyes and remarkable coats that come in various colors. They make great loyal and devoted companions.
How Big Do Miniature American Shepherds Get?
Mini American shepherds are considered small herding dogs. Males are slightly bigger than females.
Males grow between 14 and 18 inches tall at the shoulder, and females grow from 13 to 17 inches. A healthy weight for mini American shepherds is between 20 and 40 pounds.
Miniature American Shepherd Traits
Miniature American shepherds are compact herders that are self-motivated and endearing. They’re said to have an affinity for horses. Mini American shepherds also have striking coats colored black, red, red merle, or blue merle.
They have a medium-length, coarse double coat. Traditionally, mini American shepherds have naturally bobbed or docked tails.
Miniature American shepherd life expectancy. Like many smaller breeds, a healthy mini American shepherd has a projected 12- to 13-year life expectancy.
Miniature American shepherd temperament. These are rugged, bright, and energetic dogs. They’re built to work hard and always get the job done. They’re agile workers, every inch the herding dog.
Miniature American shepherds have strong herding and guardian instincts. They’re easily trained and love performing assigned tasks. They’re eager to please and resilient.
Mini American shepherds love being around their family but are more reserved around strangers. They’re protective, good-natured, and devoted.
Caring for Miniature American Shepherds
Miniature American shepherds are strong, agile dogs. They’re able to work in many different environments due to their versatility. They watch their owners and can pick up on whether they’re pleasing them or not.
Miniature American shepherd shedding. Their double coat means they’re high shedders. They typically have a wooly undercoat and a longer outer coat. You’ll need to brush their coat weekly to manage the shedding. A stiff brush or pin brush helps manage their matting and tangling on their bellies and legs.
They’ll also need their fur trimmed. You can opt to get their ears, feet, and tail trimmed to help remove bothersome hairs. Other grooming needs include frequent nail trimming and teeth brushing.
Getting enough exercise. Miniature American shepherds are very active dogs. They need time to run outside. They’re very adaptable, but they have a lot of energy they need to burn off. Exercising their mind is also important. Agility, obedience training, and tracking can be fun activities that stimulate your mini American shepherd.
Mini American shepherds adapt well to their family’s way of life. They do well in cities as long as they’re getting enough exercise. They love being out with their owner or family.
This breed makes great hiking and camping dogs. They love being outdoors, and if you're always wanting to get outside, they could be the perfect addition to your family. They're easily trainable, and you can work on a call-and-response skill to make sure they don't wander away on a hike.
Early socialization and puppy training classes are important for miniature American shepherd development. This helps them become well-mannered dogs. They’re highly trainable, so you can work on more moderate and expert-level tricks once you get the basics down.
Miniature American shepherds need a high-quality diet appropriate for their stage of life. Some dogs can become overweight more easily, so you should watch how much you feed them. Monitor how many treats you’re giving them during training and try to opt for low-calorie treats.
Health Problems to Watch for with Miniature American Shepherds
Miniature American shepherds are typically healthy, active dogs. Reputable breeders should test for health conditions and keep genetic predispositions in mind. Recommended tests include:
- Hip evaluation
- Ophthalmologist evaluation
- PRA Optigen DNA test
- MDR1 DNA test
Miniature American shepherds are prone to some health conditions, including hip dysplasia and progressive retinal atrophy, but overall, they’re healthy dogs. Routine care and vet trips should include eye exams and sensitivity testing to make sure they stay healthy.
Hip dysplasia. This is an inherited deformity of the hips. It affects proper hip movement and can cause arthritis later in life. Weight gain can affect the joints, worsening this condition. Proper evaluation is important to catch the condition early.
Glaucoma. This condition can occur later on and can progress to blindness. You'll notice your dog's eyes start to bulge, and their cornea will look hazy. Temporary treatment for glaucoma consists of draining excess fluid in the eye.
Retinal dysplasia. This condition typically occurs at birth when your dog's retina doesn't develop properly. The retina can become detached at birth or closely after and cause blindness. This is a rare condition, though.
Collie eye anomaly. This condition is common in rough- and smooth-coated collies, which are believed to be one of the breeds the American shepherd descended from. It's a common condition in American shepherds, but fewer cases have been reported in miniature American shepherds.
Microphthalmia. This is a condition that causes abnormally small eyes. It's most common in merled mini American shepherds and seems to be an effect of the merle gene.
Progressive retinal atrophy. Miniature American shepherds can be affected by centralized or generalized progressive retinal atrophy. Both conditions are hereditary. Generalized progressive retinal atrophy affects your dog's ability to see at night. Centralized progressive retinal atrophy causes loss of central vision, leaving them with only peripheral vision. This condition is typically identified by the time they're six weeks old.
If you're rescuing your miniature American shepherd, you can still get them tested during their first vet appointment. Even if they're a few years old, they're never too old for testing and preventative care. When you're getting them up to date on shots and coming up with a general wellness plan, talk to your vet about health conditions you can anticipate and avoid.
What to Consider Before Getting a Miniature American Shepherd
Mini American shepherds make great family pets. However, they need their owners to devote time to socialize and train them. They have a lot of energy and need your direction to keep from acting out.
Miniature American shepherds are loyal to their families and wary of strangers. They can change their demeanor depending on the situation they’re in. They’re able to switch in and out of work and play. These dogs make great therapy or search-and-rescue dogs because of their intense working drive.
You’ll have a fun, playful companion with a Miniature American shepherd. They love spending time with their owners and enjoy your company. They need someone who can dedicate time and attention to them, though. They don’t like to be left alone for long periods of time. Since they’re a small breed, they make great travel companions.
How well your Mini American shepherd adapts to you and your family will depend on how much time and energy you devote to them. They’re a breed that wants to please, so they’ll take cues from you to know if they’re doing well or not.
While mini American shepherds don't like to be left alone or with strangers for long periods, you can look into doggy daycare. Just because you have to go to work doesn't mean you can't add one of these loving dogs to your household.
Doggy daycare and playdates are great ways to keep your dog stimulated and engaged. They may even come home worn out and ready for bed, just like you after a long day at work.
History of Miniature American Shepherd
Small American shepherds found work in U.S. rodeo circuits in the 1960s. They were bred specifically to be smaller and grew in popularity in traveling horse shows. Their intelligence, loyalty, and small size made them great for the road. Their popularity grew across the country as they participated in traveling shows.
Miniature American shepherds were first registered in 1980 in the National Stock Dog Registry. By the early 1990s, they became widely popular within several dog clubs. It wasn’t until 2011 that they joined the AKC Foundation Stock Service listed as the miniature American shepherd.
This small breed was used primarily for herding smaller stock like sheep and goats. They can also herd larger stock like cattle with their drive and determination, but their size makes them best for smaller livestock. Today, this versatile dog makes a great pet in the country or the city.
Regardless of where you live, these beautiful dogs sure know how to find a place in your heart. They have a lot of energy to work with, but with the right owners, they'll be satisfied, obedient dogs waiting to make you happy.
