Miniature American Shepherd
All the Aussie brains in a travel-size dog.
- Weight
- 20–40 lbs
- Height
- 13–18 in
- Lifespan
- 12–13 yrs
In short
The Miniature American Shepherd is a herding breed developed in the United States from small Australian Shepherds, recognized by the AKC in 2015. Adults weigh 20–40 lbs and live 12–13 years. Small in size but not in drive, they need daily exercise, training and a real job.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a small dog with big-dog energy
- enjoy agility, herding or other dog sports
- are home a lot and like a close companion
Think twice if you…
- want a calm lap dog
- can't give it 90 minutes of exercise a day
- are away from home long days
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Training
- 3–5 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 60–100 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study9.5/10
EnergyAthlete9.0/10
Calm at homeCalm indoors8.5/10
SheddingHeavy shedder8.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
Medium-length double coat
Weather-resistant and sheds seasonally; it needs weekly brushing.
-
02
Merle and tricolor patterns
Merle coats are common; merle-to-merle breeding risks deafness and blindness, so ask about the parents.
-
03
Compact, agile frame
Built to work livestock and turn fast, and a natural for agility.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 25–40 lbs | 20–35 lbs |
| Height | 14–18 in | 13–17 in |
| Lifespan | 12–13 yrs | |
| Coat | Medium-length double coat | |
Personality
Mini Americans are bright, loyal and always looking for something to do. They bond closely and stick by you. Without enough work, they herd kids, bark at movement and invent their own jobs.
With kids
Good with kids they're raised with; may herd and nip running children, which needs redirecting.
With other pets
Usually fine with other dogs and cats, though some herd them.
With strangers
Reserved with strangers; early socialization keeps that from becoming fear.
Alone time
Bonds closely and dislikes long days alone; bored dogs bark and chew.
Training
Mini Americans learn very fast and love work. Keep training varied and challenging so they don't get bored.
-
How often
3–5 short sessions a day of 5–10 minutes each.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
From 8–16 weeks, focus on strangers, kids, traffic and other dogs so their natural reserve doesn't become fear. Get them used to brushing early.
-
Self-control
Teach a settle on a mat and a solid "leave it" for moving things like bikes and joggers. Redirect herding nips to a toy.
-
What it works for
Food, toys and play all work. Use small, high-value pieces such as freeze-dried liver for new skills, kept within 10% of daily calories, and a tug or fetch game as a jackpot.
Exercise
Mini Americans need running and thinking every day: fetch, agility, herding or hikes with training. A short walk doesn't come close.
Exercise a day
90–120 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Agility
- Herding lessons
- Frisbee or fetch
Brain work
- Trick training
- Nose work
- Treibball
Best home
Best with a yard and an active family; apartments work only with a lot of daily exercise.
Watch for Hold off on long runs and repetitive jumping until growth plates close, around 12–14 months.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Miniature American Shepherd (20–40 lbs) lands around 575–975 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 725–1,225 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 75–125 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–6 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 575–975 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 60–100 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–5 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 800–1,350 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 80–135 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 4–7 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 500–850 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 50–85 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 3–4 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 725–1,225 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 75–125 kcal | 4–6 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 575–975 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 60–100 kcal | 3–5 pieces |
| Active / Working | 800–1,350 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 80–135 kcal | 4–7 pieces |
| Senior | 500–850 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 50–85 kcal | 3–4 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Mini Americans can have hip dysplasia, eye disease and the MDR1 drug sensitivity. Choose a breeder who health-tests, and tell your vet your dog's MDR1 status.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Hip dysplasia | OFA or PennHIP hip evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Elbow dysplasia | OFA elbow evaluation | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (CAER) | Yearly in breeding dogs (ask the breeder) |
| MDR1 drug sensitivity | MDR1 DNA test | Once; tell your vet the result before any medication |
| Hereditary cataracts (HSF4) | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
| Neuroaxonal dystrophy (NAD) | DNA test (results registered with the OFA) | Once (a DNA result does not change) |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Miniature American Shepherd breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Progressive Retinal Atrophy (prcd-PRA) DNA test
- MDR1 - Multiple Drug Sensitivity
- HSF4 - Hereditary Cataracts
- NAD - Neuroaxonal Dystrophy
Also recommended
- Elbow evaluation
- Kneecap (patella) check
- Dentition
- CEA - Collie Eye Anomaly
- DM - Degenerative Myelopathy
- CDDY/CDPA - Chondrodystrophy with or without Chondrodysplasia
- CMR1 - Canine Multifocal Retinopathy
- HU - Hyperuricosuria
Grooming Moderate, with heavier seasonal sheds
Brush weekly with a pin brush and undercoat rake, more during seasonal sheds. No haircuts needed. Trim nails monthly, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1960s
Small Aussies
Breeders in California began selecting small Australian Shepherds, often from rodeo and ranch dogs.
1970s–2000s
Miniature Australian Shepherd
The dogs were known as Miniature Australian Shepherds and grew in popularity as companions and sport dogs.
2015
AKC recognition
Renamed the Miniature American Shepherd, the breed joined the AKC Herding Group in 2015.
Questions owners ask
Are Miniature American Shepherds easy to train?
Yes. They are very smart and eager to work. They need variety and a job, or they invent their own.
Are Miniature American Shepherds good with kids and other pets?
Usually, when raised together. Some herd running kids by nipping, which needs redirecting. Most get along with dogs and cats.
How much exercise does a Miniature American Shepherd need?
A lot: 90–120 minutes a day. Mix running with training or a dog sport.
Do Miniature American Shepherds shed?
Yes, moderately, with heavier seasonal sheds. Brush weekly and more often during shedding season.
What health problems do Miniature American Shepherds have, and how long do they live?
Mini Americans live 12–13 years. Watch for hip dysplasia, eye disease and MDR1 drug sensitivity. Ask for hip, eye and MDR1 results.
Is a Miniature American Shepherd good for apartments or first-time owners?
Sometimes. They fit in small spaces, but their energy and drive need an active owner. A committed first-timer can succeed with training and a dog sport.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Miniature American Shepherd needs only 3–5 pieces a day, well inside the 60–100 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Miniature American Shepherd ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Miniature American Shepherd
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
