Please don't hesitate to give us a call. We are always happy to chat and answer questions. However, this section may answer many of the most common questions about mini American and mini Australian Shepherds.
Frequently Asked Questions
The terms Miniature American Shepherd (MAS) and Mini Australian Shepherd (Mini Aussie) are often used to describe the same type of dog, but there’s a key difference in recognition. Mini Aussies were originally bred in the United States by selecting smaller Australian Shepherds to create a more compact version of the breed. When breeders sought official recognition with the American Kennel Club (AKC), the dogs were allowed registry under the new name “Miniature American Shepherd,” which became an AKC-recognized breed in 2015. While Mini Aussies are not formally recognized by the AKC, the dogs share the same origins, temperament, and appearance—intelligent, loyal, and eager to please—just in a smaller size. In short, the Mini American Shepherd is the official AKC name, while Mini Aussie is the common, widely used term many breeders and owners still prefer.
Compared to many other smaller dog breeds, most Mini Australian Shepherds don't bark that much. They have a quieter and calmer demeanor than other small dogs. Some dogs will bark while at play, others will bark to alert. In general they are not excessive barkers and can be taught to remain calm at stimuli with the right training.
These dogs potty train easily. They pick on commands quickly and usually do a good job of listening to their owners. Of course, you will need to do more work on your part to successfully potty train a puppy! We start the crate training process for you to make potty training and transition into the new environment as seamless as possible. We guide you through each step.
Mini Aussies are generally affectionate to their entire families, but sometimes can pick a favorite person. A working dog at heart, the Aussie has a built-in affinity for herding but can easily be trained to satisfy that need with structured play. Setting boundaries with children and puppies can result in the most loyal family companion.
As a general rule, there is are no major personality differences between male and female. Although a lot of myths about the benefits of one sex of puppy over another, both males and females make great companions and/or family members and that each dog will be an individual. It is best to choose temperament over gender. Just like people, there are assertive males and assertive females, affectionate males and females. Truly the temperament has very little to do with gender. Be sure to fill out our questionnaire to help us choose the right puppy for your needs.