What families ask us.
Prices, the reservation fee, how picks work, travel, and what life with a Miniature American Shepherd is really like. If your question is not here, just ask.
The Miniature American Shepherd.
They are the same kind of dog under two names. The breed was developed from small Australian Shepherds, and when the AKC recognised it, the name became Miniature American Shepherd. It joined the AKC Herding Group in 2015.
Some other registries still say Miniature Australian Shepherd, which is why you will hear “Mini Aussie” everywhere. Our dogs are AKC registered Miniature American Shepherds.
Yes. It is a recognised AKC breed with its own written standard, and it has been part of the Herding Group since 2015.
The lifespan most often quoted for the breed is 12 to 15 years.
Ours grow up with both. Our puppies are socialized with children from day one, and we have other animals on our farm, so they meet a busy household early. A good match still matters, which is why our application asks about your home.
This is an active herding breed. Plan on exercise every day, and something for the mind as well: training, games, a job to do. A Mini with nothing to do will find a project of their own.
They have a double coat. Expect steady light shedding and a heavier seasonal shed. A good brushing once a week keeps the coat in shape, with more during the seasonal sheds.
These dogs bond closely with their people and do best where someone is around for a good part of the day. Our application asks how many hours your dog would be alone, so we can talk it through honestly before anyone commits.
They are alert dogs and will tell you when something is going on. A bored Mini can get vocal. Being a little reserved with strangers at first is typical of the breed, and it is one reason early socialization matters so much to us.
It comes down to personal preference. We match on temperament rather than sex alone, and we find the individual puppy matters far more.
How we breed.
It means we are breeding for the future of the breed. Every pairing has a purpose. We look at temperament first and foremost, then health, structure and breed type, and we plan each generation as a step forward with sound, stable dogs that are faithful to the breed standard.
Our puppies are the result of that program. They are never its whole identity.
A carrier has one copy of a gene and is not affected by it. We pair a carrier only with a dog that is clear for the same condition, so no puppy from that pairing can be affected. We would rather publish the result than hide it.
In our home. Our puppies are whelped in our bedroom, so we are close by day and night from the very first hour, and they grow up with the sights and sounds of a busy household.
Yes. Lapis Lazuli is an AKC Grand Champion and was awarded Select Dog in March 2026. Laddie is an AKC Champion who went Winners Dog and Best of Winners for a major win in 2024. Diamond has already been out in the AKC ring. We are members of MASCUSA, the AKC parent club for the breed.
Rarely. Our dogs are all part of our family and all loved deeply, but we do occasionally allow a retired dog from our program to move on to be loved by another family when it is a better fit for them.
From application to reservation.
Start with the puppy application. It costs nothing to apply. It tells us about your home, your family and what you are hoping for in a dog, and we follow up with questions of our own. Once your application is approved, a reservation fee holds your place.
Companion puppies are $2,500. Show and breeding prospects are $4,500 to $5,500.
There is a $500 reservation fee, due as soon as your application is approved. It goes toward the total price of your puppy.
Reservation fees are non-refundable, but they can be transferred to another litter if needed.
The reservation fee is paid by Venmo or PayPal, and we send the details when your application is approved. The remaining amount is due in cash when you pick up your puppy.
We raise puppies year round. Depending on what you are looking for, you may choose to wait for a specific pairing. Our planned litters are announced ahead of time.
Companion puppies go home on limited AKC registration with a spay and neuter contract. You receive the AKC papers once your pet has been spayed or neutered, with proof from your veterinarian.
We occasionally sell with full breeding rights, to approved programs only. Those puppies are sold as show and breeding prospects, and full rights are $4,500 to $5,500.
Yes. Families decide on their preferred choice, but must be willing to wait if necessary.
Picks happen at six weeks, over a FaceTime call, for families on our waitlist. By then we have watched temperaments daily, and we will tell you what we see in each puppy. The best puppy isn’t necessarily the puppy you pick first, but the puppy who is truly the right fit for your home.
Our two current litters have their natural tails, because we had recently had more requests for tails. We plan to dock all future litters.
Eight weeks. If a puppy stays with us longer, they receive more training here at Shamayim Acres, and in that case their price may increase.
Pickup, travel and the first days.
Every puppy goes home with their vaccinations, deworming and a vet check, along with their health records, food, a blanket and a puppy toy. AKC papers are included. For companion puppies they follow once your pet has been spayed or neutered.
All of those are options. You are welcome to pick up your puppy from us in Washington State.
We can meet you at the airport, either SeaTac or Portland, so you can fly in, pick up your puppy and fly them home. Our cost for meeting at either airport is $200. We recommend getting a health certificate from the vet ($100), as some airlines require one.
We also offer our own flight nanny service. We charge for our time and the airfare, which varies with where you live.
Delivery by road is possible too, for an additional fee. It covers the mileage and the day it takes us to personally bring your puppy to you, away from work and from caring for our other dogs.
We offer FaceTime calls for puppy picks at six weeks, for families on our waitlist.
Purina Pro Plan 30/20. Your puppy goes home with food to start on.
Companion puppies must be spayed or neutered. Consult your veterinarian as to when your individual dog is ready for that procedure. Not all dogs develop at the same rate.
For the life of the dog.
Yes. Our families hear from us for the life of the dog, and we love updates and photos.
The dog must come back to us. It is part of our contract, and it ensures the dog is always in familiar hands. We do not issue refunds for returned puppies.
Still have a question?
Send us a note, or start your application and we will talk it through together.
