Miniature American Shepherd
USD $900-$1000 Price Avg.
Working Dogs
Group
Purebred
Breed Type
Small, Medium
Size
13-15 years
Lifespan
Breed Information
| Group | Working Dogs |
|---|---|
| Popularity/Rank | 35 |
| Origin | United States |
| Other Names | Ameri, MAS, Mini American, North American Shepherd |
| Breed Type | Purebred |
| Price (Avg.) |
USD $900-$1000
How much does it cost to buy a Miniature American Shepherd? Miniature American Shepherd are usually priced differently from breeder to breeder and from place to place. As a rough guide, you can expect to pay between $900 to $1000 if you purchase your dog from a reputable breeder. The price will increase if the dog has a fantastic pedigree. Dogs that already have basic training maybe even more expensive. But, most Miniature American Shepherds can be adopted through a shelter for a lower fee. |
| Size | Small, Medium |
| Weight | 15-35 pounds (6-16 kg) |
| Height |
Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm),
Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm) |
| Lifespan | 13-15 years |
| Recognized by |
AKC
The American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Herding breed. And Not recognized by FCI. |
| Purpose | Herding |
| Date of Origin | 1960s |
| Ancestry | Australian Shepherd, Basque Shepherd |
Appearance & Maintenance
| Coat | Smooth |
|---|---|
| Coat Colors | Black, Blue, Merle, White |
| Grooming Level | |
| Shedding Level | |
| Eye Color Possibilities | Brown, Blue, Amber, Hazel, Green, Grey, Black |
| Nose Color Possibilities | Black, Brown, Liver, Blue, Isabella, Red |
| Coat Color Possibilities | Black, Blue, Red, Sable, Cream, Silver, Gold, Chocolate, Tan, Fawn, Merle |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Coat Density | Medium |
| Coat Texture | Double-Coated |
| Recommended Brushes | Slicker brush, pin brush, shedding blade, undercoat rake, mat comb, nail clippers. |
| Brushing Frequency |
Breed Characteristics
| Temperament | Dedicated, Devoted, Energetic, Intelligent, Loyal |
|---|---|
| Intelligent | |
| Trainability | |
| Playfulness | |
| Sensitivity Level | |
| Affection Level | |
| Social Interaction Required | |
| Barking | |
| Watchdog Ability | |
| Territorial | |
| Biting Force | Low |
| Mouthiness | |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | |
| Prey Drive | |
| Adaptability | |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | |
| Fighting Dog | Not really |
Good & Friendly with
| Apartment Life Friendly | |
|---|---|
| Stranger Friendly | |
| Kid-Friendly | |
| Cat Friendly | |
| Dog Friendly | |
| Office Friendly | No |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | |
| Pet Friendly | |
| Friendly with First Time Owners | No |
| Service Dog | Not really |
| Therapy Dog | Not really |
| Detection, Sniffer or Security Dog | Not really |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) | Not really |
| Boat Dog | Not really |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog | Not really |
Health Elements
| Health Issues | |
|---|---|
| Hypoallergenic | No |
| Energy Level | |
| Exercise Required | |
| Sleeping Required | |
| Weight Gain Potential | |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness | Medium |
| Drooling tendency | |
| Activity Level | High |
| Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week | 10 miles |
| Minutes of Activity Per Day | 30-60 minutes |
Food & Costing
| Avg. Daily Food | 1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. |
|---|---|
| Cups Per Day | 1.5 cups |
| Daily Cost | $20-$50 |
| Monthly Cost | $50-$100 |
Reproducibility
| Gestation Duration | 60-64 days |
|---|---|
| How often can the Miniature American Shepherd have a litter? | Once a year. |
| Litter Size | 2-6 puppies (Once a year.) |
Description
The Miniature American Shepherd is a small-sized herding dog that has become increasingly popular in recent years. This breed is known for its intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism. The Miniature American Shepherd has a unique appearance that sets it apart from other breeds. It has a medium-length coat that can be either straight or wavy and comes in a variety of colors including black, blue merle, red merle, red tri-color, and sable. The eyes are almond shaped and the ears are triangular with rounded tips.
The lifespan of the Miniature American Shepherd is between 12 to 15 years when properly cared for. They typically weigh between 20 to 40 pounds and stand at 14 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder.
The personality of the Miniature American Shepherd is one of intelligence and loyalty. They are highly trainable dogs that thrive on positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training or reward-based training methods. They are also very active dogs who need plenty of exercise to stay healthy both physically and mentally.
Miniature American Shepherds are friendly with other dogs, cats, children, and other animals when properly socialized from an early age. They have an even temperament which makes them great family pets as they do not tend to be overly aggressive or shy around strangers or new environments.
The health of the Miniature American Shepherd is generally good but there are some health issues that can affect this breed such as hip dysplasia, eye problems like cataracts or progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), allergies, skin problems like mange or dermatitis, epilepsy seizures etc.. Regular vet checkups should be done to ensure your pet stays healthy throughout its life span .
The adaptability level of the Miniature American Shepherd is high due to their intelligence which allows them to quickly learn new commands and adjust easily in different environments if given proper socialization from an early age . The benefits of having this breed as a pet include their loyal nature , intelligence , athleticism , low maintenance grooming needs ,and their ability to get along well with children , cats ,dogs ,and other animals .
History
The Miniature American Shepherd is a relatively new breed of dog, having only been around since the 1960s. Despite their name, they are not actually American in origin, but rather were developed in Germany from a cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature Australian Shepherd.
The breed was developed with the intention of creating a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd that would be more suitable for living in urban areas. However, due to their small size and high energy levels, they quickly became popular as companion dogs and soon began to spread to other parts of the world.
Despite their popularity, the Miniature American Shepherd nearly became extinct in the early 2000s due to a lack of interest from breeders. This was largely due to the fact that they were not yet recognized as an official breed by any major kennel club. However, thanks to the efforts of a few dedicated breeders, the Miniature American Shepherd was eventually recognized by both the United Kennel Club and the American Kennel Club in 2012.
Since then, the breed has continued to grow in popularity and is now one of the most popular companion dog breeds in America. Thanks to their friendly nature and loyalty, they make great family pets and are well-suited for almost any lifestyle.
