Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Comparison – Which dog is better Dwarf Scotch Shepherd or Mini Aussie?

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

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	Shetland Sheepdog	Miniature Australian Shepherd
Origins	Scotland	United States
All Dog Breeds By Country Of Origin
Group	Pastoral / Herding Dogs	Pastoral / Herding Dogs
Popularity Rank	24	381
Reviews	6	2
User Ratings

Other Names What other names do they have?	Dwarf Scotch Shepherd Sheltie Shetland Collie Toonie Dog Miniature Collie	Mini Aussie Mini Aussie Shepherd Mini Australian Shepherd Miniature Aussie Shepherd North American Shepherd North American Miniature Australian Shepherd
Breed Type Which dog is purebred or crossbreed? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd breed type comparison:	Purebred	Purebred

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Size and Weight Comparison

Size Which dog is bigger, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Is the Shetland Sheepdog bigger than the Miniature Australian Shepherd breed? Is a Shetland Sheepdog smaller than a Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Medium	Medium
Weight Which is heavier, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd weight comparison:	14-27 pounds (6-12 kg)	20–40 pounds (9-18 kg)
Average Weight Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight?	20.5 pounds (9 kg)	30 pounds (13.5 kg)
Height Which is taller, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Is a Shetland Sheepdog taller than a Miniature Australian Shepherd?	13-16 inches (33-41 cm)	13–18 inches (33-46 cm)
Average Height Which dog has a smaller / higher average height?	14.5 inches (37 cm)	15.5 inches (39.5 cm)

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Price and Availability Comparison

Price Which is cheaper, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Which is more expensive? What is the difference in price between Shetland Sheepdog and Miniature Australian Shepherd?	$800-$1000	$1000-$2000
Availability Which is easier to get, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Very frequent: The Shetland Sheepdog is quite easy to get.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a commonly available dog breed.

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Trainability and Intelligence Comparison

Intelligent Rank Which dog has more intelligence? Is a Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd smarter? Which is best? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd intelligence:	Outstanding: Shetland Sheepdog is one of the brightest dog breeds. See more.	Smart: The Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs have great intelligence. See more.
Smartest Dog Breeds
Trainability Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd trainability comparison. What's the difference between Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are quite easy to train. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are very easy to train. See more.
Least Obedient Dog Breeds		Dog Breeds That Easy To Train
Watchdog Ability Which is the better watchdog: Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are good watchdogs. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. See more.
Guarding Behavior / Territorial Which is a better guard dog Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Which dog is most likely to protect its owner? Which is the best dog to use for protection?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. See more.
Guard Dog Breeds List

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Personality and Temperament Comparison

Temperament Which one has a better personality? Which is a better family dog, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd behavior/temperament comparison:	Playful Intelligent Friendly Responsive Affectionate Lively Gentle	Active Loving Protective Intelligent Friendly Affectionate Good-natured
Sensitivity Level Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Sensitive: Shetland Sheepdog dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. See more.	Sensitive: Miniature Australian Shepherd 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: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	High: Shetland Sheepdog dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. See more.	Average to High: Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are highly affectionate dogs. See more.
Most Affectionate Dog Breeds
Social Needs Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd social needs comparison:	Shetland Sheepdog dogs are a social breed. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are a social breed. See more.
Impulse to Wander or Roam Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs tend to escape less than other breeds. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. See more.
Prey Drive Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd? Which can be better for hunting?	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.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. See more.
Dog Breeds With Low Prey Drive		Dog Breeds With High Prey Drive

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Activity and Playfulness Comparison

Playfulness Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd playfulness comparison:	Average: Shetland Sheepdogs, like any other dog breed, like playing. See more.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd is a highly playful breed. See more.
Most Playful Dog Breeds
Barking Which dog barks more/less: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	A lot: Shetland Sheepdog is a particularly loud breed. See more.	Low to Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd rarely barks. See more.
Quiet Dog Breeds That Don't Bark		Dog Breeds That Bark The Most
Apartment Friendly Which dog is more apartment friendly Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	It is not recommended to keep the Shetland Sheepdog breed in the home.	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 Australian Shepherd indoors.
The Worst Dog Breeds for Apartment Living		Apartment Friendly Dogs List

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Adaptability and Independence Comparison

Adaptability Which dog has a higher adaptability potential? Which is the better dog?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.	Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments.
Tolerates Being Left Alone Which dog can be left alone: Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	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 Australian Shepherd 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.

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Bite Characteristics Comparison

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

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Health and Lifespan Comparison

Health Issues Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd health comparison. Which is the healthier: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	The Shetland Sheepdog is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd 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: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd health problems comparison:	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	Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Drug Sensitivity Retinal Dysplasia Glaucoma Juvenile Cataracts Iris Coloboma
Veterinarian Visits Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Average The Shetland Sheepdog should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.	Average The Miniature Australian Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year.
Longest Living Dog Breeds
Life Expectancy Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd lifespan comparison. How long do Shetland Sheepdog and Miniature Australian Shepherd breeds live? Which one has a longer lifespan/life expectancy? What is the age limit of the Shetland Sheepdog and Miniature Australian Shepherd?	12-14 years The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdog: 13 years	9-13 years The average lifespan of Miniature Australian Shepherd: 11 years
Calculate dog years to human years by breed here
Weather and Climate Which dog is best for hot or cold weather: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	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.	Prefers average to cold weather conditions The Miniature Australian Shepherd can adapt to well to cold weather conditions, some dogs even can be a good mountain dog. See more.

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Energy and Activity Comparison

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

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Diet and Weight Management Comparison

Average daily food consumption Which dog eats more: Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Does the Shetland Sheepdog breed eat more than the Miniature Australian Shepherd breed?	2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.	1 to 2 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? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd weight gain potential comparison:	Average: The Shetland Sheepdog has an average risk for obesity. See more.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an average risk for obesity. See more.
Dog Breeds Prone To Obesity

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Allergies and Grooming Comparison

Coat / Hair Types What type of coat/fur do they have? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd coat comparison:	Dense	Feathered
Colors What are the original Shetland Sheepdog and Miniature Australian Shepherd color? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd color comparison:	Black Tan Blue White Sable Merle	Red Red Merle White & Black & Tan Blue Merle
Grooming Which dog is easy to maintain, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd grooming comparison:	Professional: This breed needs a lot of work to keep in good condition. See more.	Average: The Miniature Australian Shepherd requires average grooming effort. See more.
Low-Maintenance Dog Breeds		High-Maintenance Dog Breeds
Shedding Level Who sheds more Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Do Shetland Sheepdog dogs shed more than Miniature Australian Shepherd dogs?	Shetland Sheepdog dogs shed moderately. See more.	Miniature Australian Shepherd 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: Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	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.
Hypoallergenic Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd hypoallergenic comparison. Which dog is hypoallergenic or not?	No See more.	No See more.
Hypoallergenic Dog Breeds
Stinkiness Which dog breed smells the least? Which dog smells the most? Which is best, Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Medium ⏺ The Shetland Sheepdog has an average chance of bad smell.	Medium ⏺ The Miniature Australian Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell.
Drooling Tendency Which dog drools the most? Which dog drools the least? What's the difference between Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	The Shetland Sheepdog is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. See more.	The Miniature Australian Shepherd is an average drooler. See more.

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Good With Comparison

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

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
Most Popular Service Dog Breeds
Therapy Dog Which one could be a therapy dog: Shetland Sheepdog or Miniature Australian Shepherd? Which is better for autism?	Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. See more.	Not really This breed is generally not used as a 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.
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.
Boat and Sailor Dog Which one could be a boat dog: Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd?	Not really Shetland Sheepdog breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. See more.	Not really Miniature Australian Shepherd 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.
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.

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Reproducibility Comparison

Gestation Length	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.
Litter Size How many puppies can Shetland Sheepdog and Miniature Australian Shepherd have? Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd litter size comparison:	4-6 puppies	2-6 puppies
Dog Name Generator – Find A Perfect Name For Your Puppy

Shetland Sheepdog vs Miniature Australian Shepherd Recognition Comparison

AKC Group Which dog is recognized by the AKC?	Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911 as a Herding breed.	Not recognized by the American Kennel Club.
FCI Group Which dog is recognized by the FCI?	Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.	Not recognized by FCI.
Breed Recognition What other organizations and kennel clubs recognize these dog breeds?	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	America's Pet Registry American Canine Association, Inc.

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