Alaskan Malamute vs Miniature American Shepherd vs Shetland Sheepdog Comparison

Quick Verdict

Who wins in each category?

Overall Winner

Miniature American Shepherd

5/6

categories

Best for Apartments

Miniature American Shepherd

3/5 Β· Acceptable

Easiest Grooming

Miniature American Shepherd

2/5 Β· Low maintenance

Longest Lifespan

Miniature American Shepherd

13-15 years

Easiest to Train

Shetland Sheepdog

5/5 Β· Easy

Most Active

🀝 Tie

Best for First-Time Owners

🀝 Tie

2/6

33%

Alaskan Malamute

5/6

83%

Miniature American Shepherd

πŸ‘‘ Winner

3/6

50%

Shetland Sheepdog

* This summary is based on data from our database. Always make your final decision based on your individual needs.

Basic Info

Origin
United S
United S
Scotland
Popularity
#59
#35
#24
Common Names & Aliases
MallyMal
AmeriMini AmericanNorth American Shepherd
Dwarf Scotch ShepherdSheltieShetland CollieToonie DogMiniature Collie
Breed Classification
Purebred
Purebred
Purebred
Size Classification
Large
SmallMedium
Medium
Weight Statistics
Male: 36-43 kg, Female: 32-38 kg
6-16 kg
6-12 kg
Average Weight
Male: 36-43 kg, Female: 32-38 kg
11.3 kg
9.3 kg
Height
Male: 61-66 cm, Female: 56-61 cm
Male: 36-46 cm, Female: 33-43 cm
33-41 cm
Average Height
Male: 61-66 cm, Female: 56-61 cm
Male: 36-46 cm, Female: 33-43 cm
37 cm
Intelligence Rating
3/5
3/5
5/5
Watchdog Rating
5/5
3/5
4/5
Training Difficulty
4/5
5/5
3/5
Territorial Protection
5/5
3/5
5/5
Price Range
$1200-$1500
$900-$1000
$800-$1000
Availability
5/5
5/5
5/5
Personality Traits
AffectionateDignifiedLoyalDevotedFriendlyPlayful
DevotedIntelligentEnergeticLoyal
AffectionateGentleLivelyResponsiveFriendlyIntelligentPlayful
Sensitivity Level
4/5
4/5
5/5
Impulse to Wander or Roam
5/5
5/5
2/5
Prey Drive
4/5
4/5
3/5
Affection Level
3/5
4/5
5/5
Social Needs
4/5
3/5
4/5
Barking Frequency
2/5
2/5
5/5
Playful Nature
4/5
5/5
3/5
Apartment Adaptability
1/5
3/5
2/5
Lifestyle Adaptability
3/5
2/5
5/5
Alone Time Tolerance
Low
Moderate
Low
Bite Risk Assessment
Moderate
Low
Low
Mouthing Tendency
3/5
4/5
1/5
Bite Strength Rating
Between 200 and 400 PSI
Between 100 and 200 PSI
Between 200 and 400 PSI
Average Lifespan
11-15 years
13-15 years
12-14 years
Climate Tolerance
Prefers cold weather
Tolerates warm and cold weather
Prefers average to cold weather conditions
Health Concerns
3/5
2/5
3/5
Health Problems
CataractsChondrodysplasiaHemeralopiaHip DysplasiaHypothyroidismInherited Polyneuropathy
Not available
CancerCataractsCollie Eye AnomalyDrug SensitivityElbow DysplasiaEpilepsyHaemophiliaHeart ProblemsHip DysplasiaHypothyroidismPatellar LuxationProgressive retinal atrophy (PRA)TrichiasisVon Willebrand's Disease
Vet Care Frequency
Average
Frequent
Average
Energy Rating
5/5
5/5
4/5
Sleeping Need
1/5
1/5
2/5
Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
4/5
3/5
3/5
Obesity Tendency
3/5
3/5
3/5
Food Consumption
Recommended daily amount: 4 to 5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.
1 to 1.5 cups 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.
Allergy Friendliness
No
No
No
Coat Colors
RedGrayWhiteBlack
MerleBlueWhiteBlack
WhiteBlueMerleSableTanBlack
Grooming Requirements
3/5
2/5
5/5
Shedding Level
5/5
3/5
3/5
Drooling Tendency
1/5
2/5
1/5
Stinkiness Rating
Low
Medium
Medium
Coat Characteristics
DenseThickWeather-resistantRough
Smooth
Dense
Bathing Needs
6-8 weeks
4-6 weeks
4-6 weeks
Cat Friendly
1/5
3/5
5/5
Child Compatibility
4/5
4/5
4/5
Dog Friendly
5/5
3/5
4/5
Stranger Friendly
4/5
2/5
2/5
Office Friendly
No
No
No
Senior Citizens Friendly
Recommended
Recommended
Recommended
Pet Compatibility
Not Good
Average
Excellent
Good For First Time Owners
Yes
No
Yes
Service Dog Capability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Therapy Work Suitability
Not really
Not really
Yes
Scent Detection Ability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Search & Rescue Potential
Not really
Not really
Not really
Maritime Work Ability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Draft Work Capability
Not really
Not really
Not really
Military Service Background
Yes
Not really
Not really
Puppy Litter Size
4-10 puppies
2-6 puppies
4-6 puppies
Pregnancy Duration
60-64 days
60-64 days
60-64 days
Breeding Frequency
Once a year.
Once a year.
Once a year.
AKC Classification
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1935 as a Working breed.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 2015 as a Herding breed.
Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1911 as a Herding breed.
FCI Classification
Recognized by FCI in the Spitz and primitive types group, in the Nordic Sledge Dogs section.
Not recognized by FCI.
Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section.
Kennel Club Recognition
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubContinental Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.United Kennel ClubAmerican Canine Association, Inc.
Not available
American Canine RegistryAmerican Kennel ClubAmerica's Pet RegistryAustralian National Kennel CouncilCanadian Canine RegistryCanadian Kennel ClubContinental Kennel ClubDog Registry of America Inc.Federation Cynologique InternationaleKennel Club of Great BritainNational Kennel ClubNew Zealand Kennel ClubNorth American Purebred Registry, Inc.United Kennel ClubAmerican Canine Association, Inc.
Winner / Best value