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MediumHerding Group

Miniature American Shepherd

The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in 1960s California from smaller Australian Shepherds.

Calculate Miniature American Shepherd age
Lifespan12.5 yrrange 12–13
SizeMediumHerding Group
Weight20–40 lb9.1–18.1 kg
Senior at7 yrgeriatric at 11

Gallery (3)

About

About the Miniature American Shepherd

The Miniature American Shepherd was developed in 1960s California from smaller Australian Shepherds. Recognized separately by the AKC in 2015 after decades of informal breed development; the Australian Shepherd Club of America continues to handle many MAS registrations.

Aging

How Miniature American Shepherds age

Not in RVC VetCompass; breed-standard estimates indicate 12-13 years, consistent with the Aussie parent. MDR1 drug sensitivity is the shared defining risk (inherited from the Aussie line); OFA screening data is thin given recent AKC recognition.

Lifespan deep-diveAvg 12.5 yr · range 12–13Senior careSenior at 7 · geriatric at 11Common health issues3 tracked conditions
Physical

Physical characteristics

Weight
20–40 lb(9.1–18.1 kg)
Height
13–18 in(33–45.7 cm)
Coat type
Medium
Colors
BlackBlue MerleRedRed Merle
Temperament

Temperament

How Miniature American Shepherds tend to show up around their people, other dogs, and the world.

smartgood-naturedactiveloyal
  • Energy
  • Trainability
  • Good with kids
  • Good with other dogs
  • Shedding
Health

Common health issues

Full health profile
  • High prevalencetypical onset ~1 yr

    MDR1 Drug Sensitivity

    Description and veterinary guidance for MDR1 Drug Sensitivity land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from Inherited from Australian Shepherd parent line; Mini American Shepherd Club of the USA surveillance..

  • Moderatetypical onset ~7 yr

    Cataracts

    Description and veterinary guidance for Cataracts land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from Mini American Shepherd Club of the USA breed-health database..

  • Moderatetypical onset ~2 yr

    Hip Dysplasia

    Description and veterinary guidance for Hip Dysplasia land in Phase 4. Prevalence and onset-age figures above are drawn from Mini American Shepherd Club of the USA breed-health database..

Exercise
90min
per day

Miniature American Shepherds are high-output dogs — plan for 90 minutes of daily activity across a mix of walks, off-leash play, and purposeful work.

Related

Related breeds

Breeds with a similar size and group profile, for readers comparing options.

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References

Sources

Lifespan and health figures on this page are drawn from the peer-reviewed and organizational sources below.

  1. AKC breed standardAmerican Kennel Club breed page

    Breed size, weight range, height, AKC group, origin, coat type, and temperament baseline.