Miniature American Shepherd
The Miniature American Shepherd resembles a small Australian Shepherd. True herders in spite of their compact size, Minis are bright, self-motivated workers and endearingly loyal and lively companion dogs who have an affinity for horses. The Miniature American Shepherd shares many physical traits with its forebear the Australian Shepherd only on a smaller scale. Discover more about our Miniature American Shepherd puppies for sale below!
This dog breed is a natural hard worker and has the energy level to maneuver fleeing animals, however within the household, its energy has to deviate to activities like exercises and games, else they prove to be destructive.
History
he Miniature American Shepherd was developed in California during the late 1960's with the breeding of small, unregistered dogs that were thought to be Australian Shepherds. These dogs were bred with a goal of maintaining their small size, active character and intelligence.
The breed was first registered with the National Stock Dog Registry in 1980 and was originally called the Miniature Australian Shepherd. By the early 1990's, they had attained nationwide popularity. Several clubs promoted these small dogs, as they were registered and shown with various rare-breed organizations. The first parent breed club and registry, MASCUSA, was formed in 1990 and incorporated in 1993. The breed entered the AKC Foundation Stock Service as the Miniature American Shepherd in May 2011. The Miniature American Shepherd Club of the USA (MASCUSA) is the designated national parent club of the American Kennel Club.
Temperament
As with all breeds, early socialization and puppy training classes are recommended and help to ensure that the dog grows into a well-adjusted, well-mannered companion. Intelligent and willing to please, the Miniature American Shepherd is highly trainable and will reach his best potential as a companion when taught at least basic obedience. Despite their size, Minis are every inch a true herding dog: energetic, versatile, rugged, and extremely bright.
Environment
The Miniature American Shepherd is a herding dog breed, meaning that it’s in their genetic disposition to run, play and live in open lands. This is why they don’t particularly thrive in apartment buildings. These dogs are very sensitive to their owners and they can survive diverse weather conditions, either hot, warm or cold.
Feel free to pitch a dog house outside for this breed or let them run around the yard provided it’s fenced as they have high tendencies for wanderlust. The Australian Shepherd requires a great and spacious environment to fully actualize its purpose in the lives of its owners. If you don’t have a large property, not to worry, frequent visits to the park will satisfy its needs.
Exercise
As expected, the Australian Shepherd has high exercise needs. You may need to take him walking, jogging or to the park every day as they can get destructive when they still have the energy to dispense. The intensity of their exercise is somewhat high and they’re very playful making them the perfect breed for kids and toddlers.
Dog sports like Frisbee or flyball will be their forte as they will excel without a doubt because it involves running and jumping. The Australian Shepherd is a very agile dog breed with a lot of energy too. Feel free to enroll your Aussie in dog competitions just for the fun of it, who knows you may just be taking home a trophy on their behalf. This breed is very smart and easy to train.
Grooming
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed that has a medium length coating. This coating so happens to be water-resistant and ensures that your furry friend is warm and comfortable during rainstorms and snow days.
Their fur could either be straight or wavy and it lengthens around the neck and chest regions. This breed sheds all year round but heavily during the spring season. In terms of grooming, the Australian Shepherd’s coat needs to be brushed weekly to prevent matting.
Because its fur is more hair-like, you may need to use dog hair conditioner on it before brushing. Regular brushing keeps the Australian Shepherd looking neat; however, you may give him a bath when it starts getting obvious. Also, whenever you hear scratching sounds on the floor as the dog walks by, it may be time for a nail trim.
Our Australian Shepherd puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Australian Shepherd puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Contact us today to learn more about the availability of our Australian Shepherd puppies for sale. We look forward to helping you find your next family member. Our pet counselors can answer any questions you have about our Australian Shepherd puppies.
10 Frequently Asked Questions About the Australian Shepherd
How many colors do Australian Shepherds come in?
A lot. This breed could come in black, blue merle, red merle, pure red or they could be tri-colored having white, black or tan. The color combination is very beautiful and it enhances the breed’s appearance.
What is Australian Shepherds average life expectancy?
This breed can live for 11-16 years.
What is Australian Shepherds average weight?
The Australian Shepherd can grow to maturity and weigh an average of 40-65 pounds.
Is the Australian Shepherd easy to train?
Yes. Australian Shepherds are sensitive breeds that have a ton of agility, thus increasing their trainability. They are able to learn tricks amongst other commands.
How intelligent are Australian Shepherds?
On a scale of 1-10, it’s safe to say that the Australian Shepherd hits a strong 8.
Are Australian Shepherds family-oriented?
Yes. This dog breed is great for families.
Do Australian Shepherds shed a lot?
Yes, especially when they lose their winter coats during spring.
Do Australian Shepherds have any genetic medical conditions?
These dogs are healthy but routine checks are recommended to checkmate ailments like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, allergies, etc.
How tall do Australian Shepherds grow?
Between the heights of 1ft 6 inches to 1ft 11 inches.
Do Australian Shepherds require much exercise?
Yes. Frequent games at the park would suffice.
Adopted
