Australian Shepherd vs Miniature American Shepherd

An Australian Shepherd
Photo: bantam10
A Miniature American Shepherd
Photo: TanSinVic

Side by side

Australian Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
Adult weight
Males 23–29 kg (50–65 lb); females 18–25 kg (40–55 lb) (breed club figure)1
9.1–18 kg (20–40 lb) (breed club figure)2
Height
Males 50.8–58.4 cm; females 45.7–53.3 cm (breed club figure)1
No sourced figure
Lifespan
Median 13.7 years3
No sourced figure
Fully grown
11 months, both sexes4
10 months, both sexes4
Group
Sheepdogs & cattledogs5
Sheepdogs & cattledogs6
Coat
Coat of medium length5
Coat of medium length6
Shedding
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
Class
Sport
Sport

Which suits you

Size
The Australian Shepherd is larger on average: about 24 kg (52 lb) as an adult, against 14 kg (30 lb) for the Miniature American Shepherd.
Temperament
They differ most on handler demand (Australian Shepherd: needs an experienced owner; Miniature American Shepherd: needs steady training) and on voice (Australian Shepherd: barks to alert, then settles; Miniature American Shepherd: very vocal).
Alike
Both are rated the same on independence: keen to work with you.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
Take the breed matcher

What they're like

Australian Shepherd
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Medium

In temperament the Australian Shepherd is quick to learn, energetic and keen to have a job, and it may be reserved with strangers while devoted to its own people.

Miniature American Shepherd
Sheepdogs & cattledogs · Small

The breed learns quickly, is keen to work and is closely attached to its family. It can be reserved with strangers and is watchful at home.

The Australian Shepherd page →The Miniature American Shepherd page →

Breed traits

Day to day
Australian Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Needs daily brain work
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Australian Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
Affection
Affectionate on its own terms
Affectionate on its own terms
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Keen to work with you
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Australian Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
Sensitivity
Average
Average
Voice
Differs
Barks to alert, then settles
Very vocal
Prey drive
Chases; needs managing
Chases; needs managing
Breed explains only about 9% of how individual dogs differ in behaviour7. Meet the dog. A good breeder breeds for temperament as well as health, and matches each puppy's personality to the right home8,9.

Puppy growth

Reference curves · both sexes
The Australian Shepherd grows to the heavier adult, about 24 kg against the Miniature American Shepherd's 14 kg.
Australian Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd
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More comparisons

Compare the Australian Shepherd with
Australian Shepherd vs Border CollieAustralian Cattle Dog vs Australian ShepherdAustralian Shepherd vs Nova Scotia Duck Tolling RetrieverMiniature American Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog (Sheltie)Border Collie vs Miniature American ShepherdAustralian Shepherd vs Rough Collie (Collie)All breed comparisons →

Sources

Parts of this page were written by AI ·