Miniature American Shepherd

also known as MAS, Ameri, North American Shepherd, Mini American

Pros History


The Miniature American Shepherd has a rich history that dates back to the 1960s. The breed was created by a California rancher named Doris Cordova, who wanted a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd that was better suited to life on a ranch. Cordova began breeding smaller Australian Shepherds, selecting for smaller size and maintaining the breed's herding instincts and intelligence.

The Miniature American Shepherd was first recognized as a separate breed by the United Kennel Club (UKC) in 2011. The UKC recognized the breed under the name "Miniature Australian Shepherd" but changed the name to "Miniature American Shepherd" in 2011 to reflect the breed's American origin. In 2015, the American Kennel Club (AKC) also recognized the Miniature American Shepherd as a separate breed.

The Miniature American Shepherd has been used for a variety of tasks on the ranch, including herding cattle, sheep and goats, as well as being a watchdog and companion. They are also known for their agility and trainability, which makes them suitable for a wide range of activities, including obedience, agility and herding trials, as well as therapy and service work.

Breed Information


Type

Is Miniature American Shepherd a purebred?

Purebred

Purpose

What were Miniature American Shepherds originally used for?

Herding

Lifespan

How Long Do Miniature American Shepherds Live? What is average life expectancy for a Miniature American Shepherd? How long can Miniature American Shepherds live?

13-15 years

The average Miniature American Shepherd lifespan is somewhere between 13-15 years, provided they aren't beset by any exceptional health issues or injuries.

Miniature American Shepherd Height & Weight


How big is a full grown Miniature American Shepherd?

What is the average height of a Miniature American Shepherd? How big is a Purebred Miniature American Shepherd height? Miniature American Shepherd dog height:
Height
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 14-18 inches (35.6 - 45.7 cm) 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm)
Female 14-18 inches (35.6 - 45.7 cm) 10.0 inches (25.4 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm) 13.0 inches (33 cm)
What is the average weight of a Miniature American Shepherd? How much should Miniature American Shepherds weigh?
Weight
Average 6 months 12 months 18 months
Male 20-31 pounds (9 - 14 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 16.0 pounds (7 kg) 16.0 pounds (7 kg)
Female 20-31 pounds (9 - 14 kg) 13.0 pounds (6 kg) 16.0 pounds (7 kg) 16.0 pounds (7 kg)
Weight Gain Potential

Do Miniature American Shepherds get fat easily?

The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed that has an average risk of becoming obese. Daily walks and a balanced diet of quality dry dog food can help maintain a healthy weight. An active lifestyle and monitoring weight regularly is recommended.

Hypoallergenic

Are Miniature American Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

No

Unfortunately, the Miniature American Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

Temperament

What is a Miniature American Shepherd personality? What are Miniature American Shepherd dogs best known for?

Devoted
Intelligent
Energetic
Loyal

Shedding Level

Are Miniature American Shepherds heavy shedders? How Much Does a Miniature American Shepherd Shed?

Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not heavy shedders, but they will lose a significant amount of hair each year. To decrease the amount of shedding, you can regularly brush your Miniature American Shepherd. This will remove loose hair and keep his coat growing in the same direction.

Watchdog Ability

What is the watchdog ability of a Miniature American Shepherd dog?

The Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average watchdogs. If they sense something different, this breed will alert their owner.

Breed History


Origin

Where do Miniature American Shepherds come from?

United States

Ancestry

What are Miniature American Shepherds descended from?

Basque Shepherd, Australian Shepherd

Date of Birth

When were Miniature American Shepherds first bred? How old is the Miniature American Shepherd breed?

1960s

Breed Group

What Breed Group is a Miniature American Shepherd?

Herding (AKC & UKC)

Miniature American Shepherd Appearance


Litter Size

How many puppies can a Miniature American Shepherd have in a litter? How many puppies can a Miniature American Shepherd have in her first litter?

13-15 puppies per pregnancy

A Miniature American Shepherd can have a litter of 13-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Adaptability

Miniature American Shepherd dogs are a breed that can have difficulty adjusting to changes in lifestyle and living environments. They tend to be more comfortable in familiar and consistent surroundings.

Miniature American Shepherd Health Issues


Health Issues

Do Miniature American Shepherds have a lot of health problems?

The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed of dog that is known to have a higher frequency of health issues compared to other breeds. These issues can range from minor to serious, and regular check-ups with a veterinarian are essential in order to identify and address any potential problems as early as possible.

Major Concerns

What are the major health concerns to be aware of when owning a Miniature American Shepherd?

Hip Dysplasia
Eye Problems
Von Willebrand's Disease

Minor Concerns

What are the less significant issues to keep in mind when it comes to Miniature American Shepherds?

Deafness
Eyelid Defects
Nasal Solar Dermatitis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus
Osteochondritis Dissecans

Occasional Tests

What are the occasional tests recommended for Miniature American Shepherd breed?

Eye
Hip
Hearing
Skeletal
X-Rays
Physical Examination
Skin Evaluation

Miniature American Shepherd Needs and Activities


Energy

Do Miniature American Shepherds have a lot of energy?

Miniature American Shepherds are high-energy dogs, thus an active lifestyle suits them well.

Social Needs

Do Miniature American Shepherds need socialization? How social are Miniature American Shepherds?

Miniature American Shepherds have average social needs compared to other breeds. They are known to be less active and independent than other breeds, and they are content with spending time alone and with their human family.

Exercise Needed

How much exercise should Miniature American Shepherds get?

The Miniature American Shepherd dog requires a moderate amount of physical activity to maintain a healthy lifestyle. These breeds are ideal for people who have a moderate amount of time to devote to their pet and enjoy regular physical activity themselves. They also make great family pets as they have the energy to keep up with children and the temperament to be great companions.

Sleeping Need

How much sleep should a Miniature American Shepherd have? Do Miniature American Shepherds sleep a lot?

Miniature American Shepherds are active dogs that don't require as much sleep as other breeds. However, they still need enough sleep to stay healthy.

Drooling Tendency

Does a Miniature American Shepherd drool a lot?

The Miniature American Shepherd is a dog that is known for its low drooling tendency. If you dislike drool marks on your clothing, the Miniature American Shepherd could be a suitable choice for you.

Tendency to Bark

How much does it bark?

Miniature American Shepherd dogs tends to bark less frequently than most other dogs. They tend to be quieter and less vocal than other breeds. They may only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner of something or to communicate something. They do not bark excessively, and may not bark as much as other dogs in certain situations, such as when they are left alone.

Territorial

Do Miniature American Shepherds exhibit aggressive behavior to safeguard their home and territory? Do they possess a natural tendency to guard?

Miniature American Shepherd dogs are known for being average at defending. They possess the capability to defend their territory or owners, but it is not their primary trait. They are not the best choice for guard dogs

Mouthiness

Are Miniature American Shepherds mouthy?

Roaming urge

What is the likelihood of a Miniature American Shepherd running away? Do they have a tendency to explore or wander frequently?

Prey Drive

Do Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a high prey drive?

Past times

What do Miniature American Shepherds enjoy doing? How do I keep my Miniature American Shepherd busy?

Swimming, Tug-of-war, Car-rides, Boating, Fetch, Chase, Walk, Run, Walking, Playing, Barking, Running, Frisbee, Herding, Dog Parks, Smelling Fauna

Tolerance of being left alone

Grooming

What level of grooming should be provided for a Miniature American Shepherd?

The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed of dog that is known for its low grooming needs.

Costs


Miniature American Shepherd Characteristic


Intelligence

How intelligent is a Miniature American Shepherd?

Miniature American Shepherds has average obedience intelligence. But, they're also independent thinkers. The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed with an exceptionally high IQ and may get into mischief if left to their own devices.

Sensitivity Level

How sensitive is a Miniature American Shepherd dog?

This dog breed is more sensitive than others and easily overwhelmed by new surroundings and people. They need gentle handling and a calm, stable home environment with positive reinforcement training.

Affection Dependance

Are Miniature American Shepherd dogs affectionate?

Apartment Friendly

Do Miniature American Shepherd do well in apartments? Are Miniature American Shepherds good indoor dogs?

Miniature American Shepherds are dogs that do well in apartments with sufficient exercise, but they would really appreciate a small yard.

Child Friendly

Are Miniature American Shepherds good with kids? Are Miniature American Shepherds good around children?

Miniature American Shepherds are kid-friendly dogs. They are good with children and excellent dogs with children if they are socialized and trained at a young age.

Senior-friendly

Are Miniature American Shepherds good for elderly?

Cat Friendly

Are Miniature American Shepherds good with cats? How friendly Miniature American Shepherds are toward cats?

Miniature American Shepherds are an average cat friendly dog. They do well with cats, even more if raised together from puppyhood,

Dog Friendly

Do Miniature American Shepherd dogs get along with other dogs? Are Miniature American Shepherds OK with other dogs?

Miniature American Shepherds are average friendly towards other dogs. If they are raised with other dogs, they are likely to get along with them. And, if they are socialized properly from a young age, they will usually be great with other dogs.

Pet friendly

How do Miniature American Shepherd dogs interact with other pets? Are they considered pet-friendly?

Stranger Friendly

Are Miniature American Shepherds friendly with strangers?

Miniature American Shepherds are below average friendly around strangers. Keen of eye and sharp of tongue, most Miniature American Shepherds are very quick to announce strangers at the door. Once the visitor comes in, some Miniature American Shepherds will be friendly and outgoing. But many others have the standoffish or suspicious towards strangers.

Playfulness

Do Miniature American Shepherds like to play? Are Miniature American Shepherds playful?

Miniature American Shepherds are known to be highly playful dog. So if you're not up for all that, think about adopting a slightly older Miniature American Shepherd for a mellower experience.

Trainability

Are Miniature American Shepherd easily trained?

The Miniature American Shepherd is a breed of dog that is known for being very easy to train. They are highly intelligent and eager to please, which makes them a great choice for both experienced and novice dog owners.

Pros Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Intelligence
    Miniature American Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train
  • Quiet
    If you're looking for a breed that doesn't bark, this one could be a good choice as they're known for being quiet.
  • Loyalty
    Known for being extremely loyal and devoted to their families
  • Energy
    Has a lot of energy and enjoy being active
  • Adaptability
    Able to adapt to a variety of living situations and can do well in both urban and rural environments

Cons

  • Not suitable for office environment
    Miniature American Shepherds may struggle to adapt to an office environment.
  • Not Hypoallergenic
    People prone to allergies may have a reaction to Miniature American Shepherds, as they are not considered a hypoallergenic breed.