Life expectancy: 12–13 years
Size: 14–18 inches (male); 13–17-inches (female)
Coat: Double coat
Temperament: Intelligent, energetic, trainable, loyal
Exercise needs: Around one to two hours
Origin/native country: California, USA
Bred from small Australian Shepherds in California in the 1960s, the Miniature American Shepherd is a small herding dog. To a great degree, they’re actually miniature versions of the Australian Shepherd – and used to go by that name – but this was changed to reflect their history and the breed was fully accredited by the American Kennel Club in 2015.
They come in a variety of colors – black, blue merle, red merle and red (liver) – and they’re also undeniably cute. But, as you’ll see, despite their capacity to relax, they are little live wires and they will need plenty of care and attention. With the assistance of expert vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan, we take a look at this breed in more detail.
Does a Miniature American Shepherd need a lot of exercise?
Since Miniature American Shepherds are a herding breed, you’ll find they’re active and athletic and in need of a good amount of physical stimulation each day.
“These compact dogs are lively and have working roots, so they need plenty of exercise,” Dr MacMillan affirms. “Around an hour should keep them happy, but some may benefit from a little more, depending on their age and health status.”
As intelligent dogs, their exercise sessions need to be as varied and fun as possible. Without sufficient stimulation, they can develop behavioral problems so you’ll need to try some great brain games for dogs alongside some fun games, such as fetch and frisbee. They also excel at agility and other active canine sports.
Just be aware that they have a herding instinct so you need to keep them on a leash when around small animals and livestock.
Are Miniature American Shepherds easy to train?
Miniature American Shepherds are eager to please and they adore their humans. They’re also quick to learn and you’ll find them to be obedient, all of which is great news.
“Miniature American Shepherds are a very intelligent breed and as such they are highly trainable in the right pair of hands,” Dr MacMillan says.
As with any dog, early socialization is important and you also need to be consistent and make good use of positive reinforcement , whether you’re rewarding with the best dog treats, best dog toys, or simply lots of attention.
As with exercises, it’s important to keep sessions fun and varied.
“Due to their intelligence, you will need to make sure they receive enough mental stimulation to keep boredom and behavioral issues at bay,” Dr MacMillan says.
Do Miniature American Shepherds make good family pets?
This breed has a positive temperament.
“With the right socialization, these dogs are friendly, affectionate, and good with children, so they can make nice family pets,” Dr MacMillan says.
But whether they’ll fit in well with your family depends very much on how much time you have on your hands and the kind of property you live in. While this is an adaptable breed which can live in cities, they do need lots of attention and, ideally, a large outdoor space in which to run around.
This breed is also prone to separation anxiety given the close bonds they form with their families.
“It’s important that their owners give them enough exercise and mental stimulation though, so they need a family that can cater for that,” says Dr MacMillan.
Do Miniature American Shepherds need a lot of grooming?
Miniature American Shepherds are relatively high maintenance in terms of their grooming requirements and you will need to pay attention to their coat on a weekly or sometimes daily basis.
“Miniature American Shepherds have a thick double coat that will need regular brushing to keep mats and tangles at bay,” says Dr MacMillan. “Brushing them once or twice a week is usually enough but they could require daily grooming when they are shedding more heavily.”
Indeed, you will find hairs all around your home with this breed.
“Miniature American Shepherds shed all year round, with a period of more heavy fur loss twice a year,” Dr MacMillan adds. “As with all dogs they will also need regular nail trims and oral care.”
Common health problems in Miniature American Shepherds
Miniature American Shepherds are a generally healthy breed but there are some conditions to be aware of including hereditary eye complaints, which are common in many pedigree dogs.
“This includes inherited cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) which can cause gradual loss of vision,” Dr MacMillan says.
Hip dysplasia can also occur in Miniature American Shepherds.
“This is a developmental abnormality of one or both hip joints which can lead to pain, mobility issues, and early arthritis,” says Dr MacMillan.
There’s also a genetic issue to watch out for.
“Miniature American Shepherds can also have a mutation of the MDR1 gene, which can cause drug sensitivities in this breed,” she adds. “It is important to buy your puppy from a reputable breeder who has carried out all the recommended health screens, to reduce the chances of these inherited conditions from developing.”
Should I get a Miniature American Shepherd?
If you can give this breed a lot of time and attention to ensure the dogs are sufficiently mentally and physically stimulated, then a Miniature American Shepherd makes for a great pet.
Without such care, they can be prone to excessive barking and destructive behavior linked to an abundance of energy and boredom. Ideally, you’d live in a good sized home with a reasonably large yard or at least have space nearby. But you do need to be hands-on – this is a breed that would prefer to exercise with you so you’ll need to be rather active yourself.
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Edited by Georgia Guerin.
