Whenever we talk about the “shepherd” breed, the most common name, German shepherd, comes to our mind. But do you know there are more than 30 types of big and small shepherd breeds?
If you are considering buying a shepherd breed that is adorable and compact size; then this article is definitely going to help you. But before petting shepherd dogs remember, most shepherd breeds exhibit a few common traits, including a strong work ethic, intelligence, and high energy levels.
Here you are going to see a list of the top 5 small shepherd breeds that you can keep a pet. Also, you will be comparing their temperaments, sizes, characteristics, and other features.
Contents
What Are Small Shepherd Breeds?
A shepherd dog breed is known as a sheepdog breed. They are considered as working dogs that are used by shepherds to protect or herd their flocks.
The small shepherd breeds are those dogs that are 15 inches to 25 inches in size after fully grown up. Those shepherd breeds are:
- Miniature American Shepherd
- Old English Sheepdog
- Welsh Corgi
- Australian Shepherd Dog
- Bohemian Shepherd
Although there is not a detailed explanation for the term “shepherd breed” as it links to dogs, most authorities use the term for different livestock-guarding and herding breeds.
The term “shepherd breed” may lead to different breeds that are approved via the Kennel Clubs. Moreover, it may also represent non-purebred kinds of dogs that are managed by shepherds for these works.
The Shepherd breeds barks for a long time and can be destructive if they don’t get mental stimulation and the exercise they need.
Whether you want a watchdog or a loving companion, this article is going to give you information. We have enlisted the best top 5 small shepherd dog breeds that remain small forever.
Top 5 Small Shepherd Breeds That Stays Small
We’ll know more about 5 of the most popular types of small shepherds breeds. Let’s have a look at their personality, physical traits, and cost. It will surely help you to choose the best small shepherd breed for you or your family.
| Breeds | Size | Weight | Cost |
| Miniature American Shepherd | 13 inches to 18 inches | 20 pounds to 40 pounds | $800 to $1,500 |
| Old English Sheepdog | 20 inches to 22 inches | 60 pounds to 80 pounds | $1,800 to $3,000 |
| Welsh Corgi | 13 inches to 18 inches | 20 pounds to 40 pounds | $1,000 to $2,500 |
| Australian Shepherd | 21 inches to 23 inches | 35 pounds to 70 pounds | $600 to $3,000 |
| Bohemian Shepherd | 19 inches to 22 inches | 35 pounds to 60 pounds | $700 to $900 |
Miniature American Shepherd
Miniature American Shepherd is popular for a natural or docked bobtail.
The MAS (Miniature American Shepherd) is one of the smallest herding dog breeds of the U.S. In 2015, it was recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and known as the 186th breed of the club. The Fédération Cynologique Internationale (FCI) officially approved the breed in September 2019.
The size of Miniature American Shepherd is 13 inches to 18 inches. And their weight could be 20 pounds to 40 pounds.
This dog breed is biddable and highly intelligent. Many people train MAS for dog sports like agility, herding, flyball, obedience, canine freestyle, and more.
The Miniature American Shepherd is an easy to train, persistent, and enthusiastic breed. If you consider this breed, then you are going to get a companion. This breed is devoted and pretty loyal to the master or owner. The MAS dog breed demands exercise to maintain a balanced mental state.
The Miniature American Shepherd is a low-maintenance dog breed. This breed is prone to getting overweight. Make sure to keep an eye on the calorie consumption of your dog.
The price of a puppy is approx. $800 to $1,500.
Old English Sheepdog
The Old English Sheepdog originated in England from a herding dog. Its nickname is Bob-tail sheepdog or Shepherd’s Dog. Due to their tails docked, the name Bob-tail originated.
The size of this breed is 21 inches to 22 inches, while their weight varies from 60 pounds to 80 pounds.
The OES (Old English Sheepdog) is a kind of archetypical shaggy dog. They are popular for their peek-a-boo hairdo, profuse coat, bear-like gait, intelligent and friendly nature. It is an agile dog and loves to explore and a good romp.
Petting an OES dog breed is not easy because they love activity. Being physically fit and healthy dogs, they demand 2 hours of daily exercise. Fortunately, due to their intelligent nature, they are easy to train.
Their shaggy coats are difficult to maintain, so brush them at least twice a week.
You can easily get a puppy for $1,800 to $3,000.
Welsh Corgi
In the earlier time, the Welsh Corgis were used for cattle herding and has their origin in Wales. The meaning of “Corgi” is a dwarf dog or cur dog in the language of Welsh. The AKC (American Kennel Club) first registered this breed in 1934. There are two types of Welsh Corgi: Pembroke and Cardigan.
The size of the Welsh Corgi dog breed is 10 inches to 13.5 inches generally. Their weight is approx 30 pounds to 40 pounds.
Although Welsh Corgi is a working dog, now they can be seen as family pets. This breed is known for loving, intelligent, and happy nature but also is stubborn.
This dog breed is easy to train but sometimes behaves submissively. Due to its athletic nature, the Welsh Corgi breed requires plenty of exercise every day. You can consider it as a good apartment dog and can be kept in a small house.
Whether you buy a Cardigan Welsh Corgi or a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, the average cost is around $1,000 to $2,500.
Australian Shepherd Dog
Despite the name, the Australian Shepherd did not originate in Australia. It is a famous breed of the western United States since the 1840s. Originally bred to herd livestock, they remain a working dog at heart.
The size of the Australian Shepherd Dog is 21 inches to 23 inches, while their weight is approx 35 pounds to 70 pounds.
The Australian Shepherd Dog breed is intelligent, highly energetic, and playful. It is a working dog that is a good family companion. The best part is this breed is adaptable to different living conditions. But they are very destructive and generally barks for a long time if not getting the mental stimulation.
If you are preferring this breed as a pet dog, then note down to offer at least 30 minutes to 60 minutes of exercise every day. Also, you should give them obedience and train them at an early age.
You can purchase an Australian Shepherd puppy at $600 to $3,000.
Bohemian Shepherd
Another name of the Bohemian Shepherd is the Chodenhund or the Chodský pes. FCI has provisionally recognized this breed since 2019. Around the 1300s, the Bohemian Shepherd breed originated in the Chodsko region of the Czech Republic. And that is why these dogs are also called Chodský pes.
The height of the Bohemian Shepherd dog breed is 19 inches to 22 inches. And their weight varies from 35 pounds to 60 pounds.
The Bohemian Shepherd is an intelligent breed and gets bored easily. It is an average shedder dog breed with heavier shedding that occurs seasonally.
If you have children, then it is the perfect choice for your family. They love to protect the family and adore kids.
As the Bohemian Shepherds are very energetic, you must take them for a walk every day. To train them, the owner should be firm and patient.
The average price of the dog breed Bohemian Shepherd is approx $700 to $900.
How To Take Care Of Your Small Shepherd Breed?
If you are a pet lover and want to make your dog’s life easier and stress-free, then follow a few tips to make your pet healthy.
Weight Check
Most of the Small Shepherds dog breeds are healthy dogs but prone to being overweight. So, be responsible and keep an eye on their calories consumption. Don’t neglect any weight gain symptoms and consult the Vet.
Exercise
As a highly energetic and active athletic breed, the Shepherds need a lot of walking or exercise. Your dog could become frustrated if it doesn’t get the required exercise.
Training
The Shepherd breed is earlier used for herding, so they need training in socialization. Make sure to train your puppy at an early age and be polite and patient with them.
Training and exercising with your dog can be a difficult task, especially if you aren’t grounded with the necessary skills. That is why reading and applying the techniques recommended by skilled trainers is important.
To get started, we recommend that you pick from any of these books and equip yourself with the necessary skills to train and exercise with your pet shepherd dog.
Last update on 2023-01-01 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
CONCLUSION
Shepherd or sheepdogs come in all sizes and shapes. We have mentioned the top 5 small shepherd breeds of dogs that make great pets.
We hope the breeds enlisted in this article have provided you enough information. It is highly recommended to check the price and breed’s characteristics before buying.
Which small shepherd breed do you like the most? Please let us know in the comment section.