Both breeds crave mental stimulation, and if you donât want to spend lots of time channeling that into activities like training, then another breed might be better for you. Pedigree believes that this is because European GSDs were bred to be a working dog in the first place.. And finally, like all clever, athletic dogs, these breeds are at risk of resorting to unwanted or destructive behaviors if they donât get enough exercise or mental stimulation. They have wildly different backgrounds, both in and outside of Australia and they have both become very popular, especially in the United States. The United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA) allowed AKC Australian Shepherds who wanted to move to the new breed to do so for a number of years. 1. She can hop a 4 ft wall and can run along the top of it. Tell us about your reasons for choosing them in the comments! The genetics of the Blue Merle Australian Shepherd do have the possibility of affecting the health of these dogs. The Miniature Australian Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody. The Miniature American Shepherd is a small-to-medium-sized breed first recognized in California during the 1960s as a smaller version of the Australian Shepherd. In Aussies, the blue merle coloration is a dominant gene. She is in queue for service training for my son. ; Children - Both the Australian Shepherd and English Shepherd are great with children. The Miniature Australian Shepherd is considered a separate breed from the Australian Shepherd and the Miniature American Shepherd ⦠Over time, the breed became more standardized and was accepted by American Kennel Club as a distinct dog breed in 1991. Australian Shepherd vs German Shepherd. They were known as Alsatians during the First World War before the name was changed to a German Shepherd dog. Around 1 in 15 Aussies have some hearing loss, and just less than 1 in 30 suffer from inherited cataracts. Their modern descendents still need lots of exercise too. But at the time of writing, there isnât enough information specifically about the American Shepherd to say if theyâre the same. But for prospective puppy parents who have to decide upon just one, there are some key differences which can help make that choice a little clearer. Since part of protecting a flock is seeing off would-be predators, most herding breeds also have strong guarding instincts. 1 to 2 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. Australian Shepherd vs German Shepherd Grooming. Miniature Australian Shepherds are very easy to train. Miniature American Shepherds don't need too much sleep. These are the health issues which most commonly affect the Mini American and the Aussie Shepherd. Miniature American Shepherds have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. Right here on this site weâve also got guides to help you with. He is small enough to enjoy homes with smaller yards and also tenacious enough to still work ⦠Sharing is caring. Your email address will not be published. Miniature American Shepherds have an average exercise need. Mini American Shepherds are 13 to 18 inches tall. Quick Summary Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds. Thereâs a perfect dog breed out there for everyone. The Australian Shepherd ⦠Lots of Aussies are still true working dogs. Weâll compare lots of qualities of each breed side-by-side, to help you make that choice. Official Standard of the Miniature American Shepherd, American Kennel Club, 2012. Low to Average: The Miniature American Shepherd rarely barks. They are characterized by heterochromia, robustness, smooth coat and alertness. I was originally considering getting a standard Aussie but then stumbled upon the Mini American Shepherd (MAS) and saw that they are basically just small Aussies both in personality and in looks.