Australian Shepherd vs Miniature American Shepherd
The two published breed profiles side by side: size, energy, grooming, lifespan, temperament ratings and health.
| Australian Shepherd | Miniature American Shepherd | |
|---|---|---|
| Size class | Medium | Medium |
| Adult weight | 18.1 to 29.5 kg | 9.1 to 18.1 kg |
| In pounds | 40 to 65 lb | 20 to 40 lb |
| Adult height | 46 to 58 cm | 33 to 46 cm |
| Energy | Very high | Very high |
| Grooming | Moderate | Moderate |
| Coat | Medium double | Medium double |
| Shedding | Moderate | Moderate |
| Lifespan | 12 to 15 years | 12 to 13 years |
| Good with children | Reliably good | Reliably good |
| Good with other dogs | Fine with supervision | Reliably good |
| Country of origin | United States | United States |
The main differences
- The Australian Shepherd is the bigger dog: 18.1 to 29.5 kg against 9.1 to 18.1 kg for the Miniature American Shepherd.
- Both have very high energy in their published profiles.
- Grooming is moderate for both.
- The Australian Shepherd usually lives longer: 12 to 15 years against 12 to 13 years.
Temperament
Australian Shepherd: Even disposition, may show initial reserve, never shy or aggressive.
Miniature American Shepherd: Bright, biddable and intensely attentive to their handler, a full herding dog in a small frame that is friendly at home and reserved with strangers.
Health worth asking about
Conditions each breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable: it means ask the breeder for the parents' test results.
Australian Shepherd
- Collie eye anomaly / choroidal hypoplasia (CEA/CH), detectable by DNA test on both parents and on an eye examination
- Multi-drug resistance mutation (MDR1), detectable by DNA test, and worth knowing before any anaesthetic or worming drug
- Hereditary cataract (HC-HSF4), detectable by DNA test on both parents
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed for under the hip and elbow scoring schemes
Miniature American Shepherd
- Multidrug sensitivity (MDR1), detectable by DNA test, which affects safe dosing of several common drugs
- Collie eye anomaly, detectable by DNA test and eye examination
- Progressive retinal atrophy (prcd-PRA), detectable by DNA test
- Hereditary cataract, screened by an ophthalmologist examination
- Hip and elbow dysplasia, which breeding stock should be x-rayed and scored for
- Deafness and eye defects arising from double merle breeding, avoided by never mating two merle dogs together
Common questions
Which is bigger, the Australian Shepherd or the Miniature American Shepherd?
The Australian Shepherd. Adults weigh 18.1 to 29.5 kg, against 9.1 to 18.1 kg for the Miniature American Shepherd, going by the published breed profiles.
Which lives longer, the Australian Shepherd or the Miniature American Shepherd?
The published life expectancy is 12 to 15 years for the Australian Shepherd and 12 to 13 years for the Miniature American Shepherd. These are typical ranges across the breed, not a promise about one dog.
Is the Australian Shepherd or the Miniature American Shepherd better with children?
They score the same: reliably good with children. Any dog needs supervising around young children, whatever their breed rating.
Related comparisons
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Not veterinary advice. Breed information is general. Your own dog, and your own vet, always win.
Sources
Every figure on this page comes from the two breed guides, which cite:
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin
- akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
- fci.be for country of origin