Miniature American Shepherd breeder · Cellatica, Brescia, Italy

The Miniature American Shepherd: a small herder with a gaze you won't forget.

We breed Miniature American Shepherds — “Mini Aussies” — in the hills of Cellatica, near Brescia, in Northern Italy. A few puppies a year, healthy and home-raised, from health-tested parents.

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Blue merle Miniature American Shepherd with an intense gaze
ENCI/FCI pedigreeKennel name pending ENCI recognition
Health-tested parentsMDR1, eyes, hips & elbows
Home-raisedEarly socialisation
Lifelong supportBefore and after pick-up
Red merle Miniature American Shepherd lying outdoors
01About us

One family, one breed: the Miniature American Shepherd.

We're Luca and Anna. Our story with the Miniature American Shepherd began with love at first sight: the lively intelligence, loyalty and versatility of this little herder won us over.

Today we breed with a single obsession — quality, not quantity. A few litters a year, each raised in our home, among sounds, people and other animals, so every puppy grows into a balanced, confident dog.

Our puppies come with an ENCI/FCI pedigree, and we're awaiting our ENCI kennel name, which will add the kennel's name to theirs — part of our commitment to being open and accountable to every family that takes one of our dogs home.

Luca & Anna — Breeder in Cellatica

02The breed

Four coats, one character.

The Miniature American Shepherd — also known as Mini Aussie or Mini American Shepherd — is recognised (FCI standard no. 367) in four colours: black tri, blue merle, red tri and red merle, with or without tan and white. In each we select for health, structure and balance — never colour before the dog.

Black tricolour Miniature American Shepherd Blue merle Miniature American Shepherd puppy with blue eyes Red tri (red tricolour) Miniature American Shepherd Red merle Miniature American Shepherd with blue eyes
BlackBlack tri
Blue merleBlue merle
RedRed tri
Red merleRed merle
03Puppies

Miniature American Shepherd puppies: availability and waiting list.

We have only a few litters a year, so available Miniature American Shepherd puppies are few and usually spoken for. Message us for availability, timing, expected colours and how booking works: we answer honestly, even when the answer is “not right now”.

  1. You message us and tell us about your family and how you live.
  2. You come and meet us and the dogs, by appointment, in Cellatica.
  3. You join the waiting list for the right litter.
  4. Your puppy comes home after 90 days, microchipped and registered, with vaccinations, deworming, health record and ENCI/FCI pedigree.
Ask about availability on WhatsApp
04Character

Born to work,
made to love.

The character of the Miniature American Shepherd (MAS) is that of a shepherd in miniature: bright, tireless, deeply attached to its family, reserved but polite with strangers. It needs mind and movement — and rewards you with a devotion you'll rarely find elsewhere.

  • Intelligent
  • Athletic
  • Gentle
  • Versatile
  • Loyal
  • Great with kids
05Why choose us

Responsible breeding comes first.

We don't just sell puppies: we build a relationship that lasts the dog's whole life.

  1. 01

    Health & genetics

    Parents tested for the breed's conditions — MDR1, eye disorders, dysplasia. Every puppy leaves with microchip, vaccinations, deworming and health record.

  2. 02

    Home-raised

    Puppies live in our home: sounds, people, other animals. They leave confident, sociable and ready for their new life.

  3. 03

    Guidance

    Advice before and after your puppy comes home. We're here for training, feeding and coat care — for the dog's whole life.

06FAQ

Before you write: common questions about the Miniature American Shepherd.

How much does a Miniature American Shepherd puppy cost?
It depends on the pedigree, the parents' health tests and the type (companion, show, breeding). We prefer to talk in person: message us and we'll tell you honestly about availability and real waiting times.
What's the difference from the Australian Shepherd?
They are two distinct but related breeds: the Mini Aussie was developed in the 1960s by selecting small Australian Shepherds. The Miniature American Shepherd is smaller (33–46 cm at the withers, 7–14 kg) but keeps the intelligence, agility and herding instinct of the Australian, in a size better suited to family life.
Are Mini Aussie, Mini American Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd the same breed?
Yes — same dog. “Mini Aussie” and “Miniature Australian Shepherd” are the names the breed was born with in the USA in the 1960s; since AKC (2015) and FCI (2019, standard no. 367, group 1) recognition the official name is Miniature American Shepherd. A word on “toy”: there is no toy variety in the standard, and dogs under the minimum height are outside it — be wary of listings that promise one.
Is it suited to apartment life?
Yes, as long as it gets daily exercise and mental stimulation. It's an athletic, intelligent dog: it needs activity, not large spaces.
How much exercise does it need? Is it a good first dog?
It doesn't need to run for hours, but it needs something every day: an hour or two of walks, play and above all brain work (scent games, puzzles, short training sessions). It learns fast — including our bad habits — so it asks for consistency more than experience: with time and the will to train it, it makes an excellent first dog, and agility, obedience or rally are there for those who want more. We stay available for training advice.
Is it good with children, cats and other dogs?
Yes, when well socialised: our puppies grow up at home with people and other animals. It is a herding dog, though, and may try to “herd” running children or the cat, sometimes nipping at heels — training and clear rules take care of it. Young children should always be supervised by an adult.
How big is it as an adult?
Generally between 7 and 14 kg, with a height at the withers of 33 to 46 cm per the standard.
Male or female: which is better?
It depends more on the individual puppy's temperament than on sex. Males are usually a little larger (the FCI standard gives 35.5–46 cm at the withers, against 33–43.5 cm for females); otherwise both are affectionate and deeply attached to their family. Tell us how you live and we'll help you choose the right puppy.
How long does a Miniature American Shepherd live, and how much does it shed?
Typically 12–15 years. The coat is double and medium-length, with two main sheds a year: moderate but constant shedding, so plan on a weekly brush and more during moulting. It is not a hypoallergenic breed.
Are the puppies tested and pedigreed?
Yes. The parents are tested for the breed's genetic conditions (including MDR1, eye disorders and dysplasia). Every puppy comes microchipped and registered in the regional dog registry, with vaccinations, health record and ENCI/FCI pedigree.
How do you recognise a responsible Miniature American Shepherd breeder?
Ask for the ENCI pedigree, the parents' health-test results and to see the mother. The puppy should leave microchipped and registered, with a health record, and never before 60 days — the legal minimum in Italy. Be wary of very low prices, “toy” or “rare colour” promises, merle-to-merle matings (which risk deafness and blindness in the puppies) and sellers who ship puppies or hand them over in a car park without letting you meet the dogs. With us you can visit by appointment.
How does booking work, and at what age do puppies go home?
We like to get to know the families. One message is enough to tell you about availability, timing and the waiting list. Puppies go home no earlier than 90 days (the law requires 60: we prefer to give them a few more weeks with their mother and siblings), fully weaned, socialised and with their first vaccinations done.
Can we come and visit?
Of course, we love meeting future families in person. Visits are by appointment only, so we can give you our time without disturbing the dogs, especially with litters at home.
Do you place puppies abroad (Switzerland, Germany, Austria, UK)?
Yes — families from across Europe are welcome, and we're happy to talk in English. We're in Cellatica, above Brescia in Northern Italy, about an hour from Milan, Bergamo and Verona and close to the Swiss border. Puppies leave us after 90 days; to travel outside Italy they need a microchip, an EU pet passport, a rabies vaccination (given from 12 weeks, valid after 21 days) and — because a sale counts as a commercial movement — an official TRACES health certificate issued by the state vet, so international pick-ups happen from about 15 weeks. The pedigree issued by ENCI is FCI-recognised in every member country (export pedigree on request); the UK has stricter import rules, so ask us early.
07Contact

Come and meet them in Cellatica, near Brescia.

One message is enough. We'll tell you if there are puppies, when to visit and how it works — no strings attached.

We're in Cellatica, in the first hills above Brescia, Lombardy — ten minutes from the city, half an hour from Lake Iseo and Lake Garda, about an hour by car from Milan, Bergamo and Verona. Whether you come from Northern Italy, Switzerland, Austria or Germany, you'll find a quiet place to meet the dogs in person, without hurry, and choose the puppy together.

HoursMon–Fri 8:00–19:00 · Sat 8:00–13:00 · By appointment only
Via XXV Aprile 4825060 Cellatica (BS) · Italy
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