Miniature American Shepherds are described as good-natured, intelligent, and devoted dogs who are categorized in the herding group of dog breeds. Miniature American Shepherds come in a variety of colors including, blue merle, red merle, black bi or black tri, and red bi or red tri. The Miniature American Shepherd has a double coat, with a longer outer coat and a wooly undercoat. The breed sheds a fair amount, even more so during shedding season, which can occur once or twice a year. They are considered a small dog breed with a height ranging from 14-18 inches for the males, and 13-17 inches for the females. They have an average weight of 20-40 pounds for both genders. Their life expectancy is 12-13 years.