Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Comparison - Dog breed selector: Ameri or Continental Toy Spaniel or Dwarf Scotch Shepherd? Find the right dog for you

"Find similarities and differences between Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog" Compare Miniature American Shepherd and Papillon. Which is better: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?

Size and Weight Price and Availability Trainability and Intelligence Personality and Temperament Activity and Playfulness Adaptability and Independence Bite Characteristics Health and Lifespan Energy and Activity Diet and Weight Management Allergies and Grooming Good With As a Working Dog Reproducibility Recognition Show differences only

Name	Miniature American Shepherd	Papillon	Shetland Sheepdog
Origins	United States	Spain France Belgium	Scotland
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Working Dogs	Companion Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	35	53	24
Reviews	1	4	6
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Ameri Mini American North American Shepherd	Continental Toy Spaniel Epagneul Nain Epagneul Nain Continental Phalène Squirrel Dog Butterfly Dog	Dwarf Scotch Shepherd Sheltie Shetland Collie Toonie Dog Miniature Collie
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred	Purebred

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which is bigger, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which is the smallest dog, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Small Medium	Small	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Papillon? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog weight comparison:	15-35 pounds (6-16 kg)	Male: 8-10 pounds (4-5 kg), Female: 7-9 pounds (3-4 kg)	14-27 pounds (6-12 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	25 pounds (11 kg)	Male: 9 pounds (4.5 kg), Female: 8 pounds (3.5 kg)	20.5 pounds (9 kg)
Height Which is taller, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog height comparison:	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	Male: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm), Female: 8-11 inches (20-28 cm)	13-16 inches (33-41 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	Male: 14–18 inches (36–46 cm), Female: 13–17 inches (33–43 cm)	Male: 9.5 inches (24 cm), Female: 9.5 inches (24 cm)	14.5 inches (37 cm)

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which is more expensive?	$900-$1000	$400-$600	$800-$1000
Availability Which is easier to get, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Very frequent: The Miniature American Shepherd is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Papillon is quite easy to get.	Very frequent: The Shetland Sheepdog is quite easy to get.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which is the smarter dog? Which is best? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog intelligence:	Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. See more.	Outstanding: Papillon is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Outstanding: Shetland Sheepdog is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog trainability comparison.	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.	Papillon dogs are easy to train. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Papillon dogs are average watchdogs. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are good watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average defenders. See more.	Papillon dogs strongly protect their territory. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog behavior/temperament comparison:	Energetic Intelligent Loyal Devoted	Happy Energetic Alert Intelligent Friendly	Playful Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Lively Gentle
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference?	They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. See more.	Papillon dogs have an average emotional level and are not the most sensitive dog breed. See more.	Sensitive: Shetland Sheepdog dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.
Most Sensitive Dog Breeds		Less Sensitive Dog Breeds
Affection Level Which is the more affectionate dog breed: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Average to High: Miniature American Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.	High: Papillon dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	High: Shetland Sheepdog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog social needs comparison:	Miniature American Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. See more.	Papillon dogs need a lot of social interaction. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. See more.	Papillon dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? Which can be better for hunting?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Papillon dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog playfulness comparison:	The Miniature American Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.	The Papillon is a highly playful breed. See more.	Average: Shetland Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Low to Average: The Miniature American Shepherd rarely barks. See more.	A lot: Papillon is a particularly loud breed. See more.	A lot: Shetland Sheepdog is a particularly loud breed. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Miniature American Shepherd indoors.	It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Papillon indoors.	It is not recommended to keep the Shetland Sheepdog breed in the home.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments.	Papillon dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner.	Papillon dogs tend to have separation anxiety when their owners left them alone at home because they bond very closely with them.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Bite Characteristics Comparison

Bite Force PSI Which bite is stronger: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Miniature American Shepherd bite force: Weak.	Between 100 and 200 PSI 🔽 Papillon bite force: Weak.	Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Shetland Sheepdog bite force: Ordinary.
Dog Breeds With The Lowest Bite Force		Dog Breeds With the Strongest Bite Force
Biting Potential Which breed of dog is most likely to bite? Biting potential comparison:	Low 🔽 The Miniature American Shepherd has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of biting somebody.	Low 🔽 The Shetland Sheepdog has a low chance of biting somebody.
Mouthiness Which is the better dog? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog mouthiness comparison:	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have a higher than average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Papillon dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have a low tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. See more.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog health comparison. Which is the healthier: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherds tend to have more frequent health issues than other breeds.	The Papillon is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Shetland Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.
Healthiest Dog Breeds
Health Problems Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog health problems comparison:	No data available	Collapsed Trachea Open Fontanel Patellar Luxation Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Hypoglycemia	Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Patellar Luxation Cancer Hypothyroidism Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Epilepsy Heart Problems Drug Sensitivity Elbow Dysplasia Collie Eye Anomaly Haemophilia Trichiasis
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits?	Frequent The Miniature American Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once (but preferably twice) per year.	Average The Papillon should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Shetland Sheepdog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog lifespan comparison. How long do Miniature American Shepherd, Papillon and Shetland Sheepdog breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy?	13-15 years The average lifespan of Miniature American Shepherd: 14 years	12-16 years The average lifespan of Papillon: 14 years	12-14 years The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog: 13 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. See more.	Prefers average to warm weather conditions Different dogs have different preferences when it comes to weather conditions. See more.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Shetland Sheepdog can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Energy and Activity Comparison

Energy Level Who has more energy a Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog energy level comparison:	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs.	Papillon dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds.
Low-Energy Dog Breeds		High-Energy Dog Breeds
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs have an average exercise need.	Papillon dogs need a lot of exercises.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs have an average exercise need.
Sleeping Need Which one sleeps the least/most: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep.	Papillon dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping.
Dog Breeds That Sleep A Lot

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	1 to 1.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1/4 to 1 cup of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
Dog Breeds That Eat A Lot
Weight Gain Potential / Prone to Obesity Which dog breed is more prone to obesity? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Miniature American Shepherd has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Papillon has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Shetland Sheepdog has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog coat comparison:	Smooth	Feathered	Dense
Colors What are the original Miniature American Shepherd, Papillon and Shetland Sheepdog color?	Black Blue White Merle	Black Tan Red White Sable Lemon	Black Tan Blue White Sable Merle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog grooming comparison:	Easy to groom: The Miniature American Shepherd doesn't require a lot of grooming. See more.	Average: The Papillon requires average grooming effort. See more.	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or {name3 shedding:	Miniature American Shepherd dogs shed moderately. See more.	Papillon dogs shed none to minimal. See more.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs shed moderately. See more.
Low-Shedding Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Shed The Most
Bath Time / Bathing Frequency Which dog should be bathed more: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.	6-8 weeks Rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. See more.	4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. See more.
Hypoallergenic Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Medium ⏺ The Miniature American Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.	Low 🔽 The Papillon has a low chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Shetland Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least?	The Miniature American Shepherd is a perfect example of a low drooling tendency. See more.	The Papillon is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Shetland Sheepdog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Good With Comparison

Pet Friendly Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets.	Papillon dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are one of the friendliest dog breeds.
Stranger Friendly Which dog is more stranger friendly Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which dog is more friendly?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.	Papillon dogs are very stranger-friendly dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Are Aloof With Strangers		Dog Breeds That Are Friendly To Strangers
Child Friendly Which dog is more child/kid friendly Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Papillon dogs are kid-friendly dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are kid-friendly dogs.
Kid-Friendly Dog Breeds
Cat Friendly Which dog is more cat friendly Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats.	Papillon dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are very cat-friendly dogs.
Dog Breeds That Get Along Well With Cats
Dog Friendly Which dog is more dog friendly Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog?	Miniature American Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards other dogs.	Papillon dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs.	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are dog-friendly dogs.
Good For First Time Owners Which dog is good for the first-time owners: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	No Miniature American Shepherd dogs are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality.	Yes Papillon dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.	Yes Shetland Sheepdog dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality.
Office Friendly Which one fits better in the office?	No Miniature American Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Papillon is not the best dog breed for office environment.	No Shetland Sheepdog is not the best dog breed for office environment.
Senior Citizens Friendly Which dog is good for elderly people?	Miniature American Shepherds are usually recommended for elderly people.	Papillons are usually recommended for elderly people.	Shetland Sheepdogs are usually recommended for elderly people.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog As a Working Dog Comparison

Service Dog Which one could be a service dog?	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.	Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. See more.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Miniature American Shepherd or Papillon or Shetland Sheepdog? Which is better for autism?	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. See more.	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.
Therapy Dog Breeds
Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog Which one could be a detection/sniffer dog?	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.	Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases.
Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) Which one could be a search and rescue dog?	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.	Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog?	Not really Miniature American Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Papillon breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Shetland Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.
Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog Which one could be a cart pulling or drafting dog?	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.	Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. See more.
Fighting Dog / Military Dog	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.	Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog.

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.	60-64 days See more.
Litter Frequency	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.	Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. See more.
Litter Size How many puppies can Miniature American Shepherd and Papillon and Shetland Sheepdog have?	2-6 puppies	2-4 puppies	4-6 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Herding breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1915 as a Toy breed.	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911 as a Herding breed.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Not recognized by FCI.	Recognized by FCI in the Companion and Toy Dogs group, in the Continental Toy Spaniel and Russian Toy section.	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	No data available	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club	American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club Canadian Canine Registry

Popular Dog Compares

Despite the best intentions, there may be errors. If you find one, please let us know and we will fix it as soon as possible. Contact us here.

Rate This Comparsion - Miniature American Shepherd vs Papillon vs Shetland Sheepdog

Reviews