Miniature American Shepherd vs German Shorthaired Pointer
Breed Compatibility
94% Compatible
Energy Level
Miniature American Shepherd: Energetic0.8
German Shorthaired Pointer: Needs Lots of Activity1.0
Very Compatible
Trainability
Miniature American Shepherd: Eager to Please1.0
German Shorthaired Pointer: Eager to Please1.0
Very Compatible
Grooming Needs
Miniature American Shepherd: Daily Brushing0.8
German Shorthaired Pointer: Weekly Brushing0.4
Moderately Compatible
Cost Category
Premium
Premium
Very Compatible
Compatibility with Others
Good with Children
Miniature American Shepherd5/5
German Shorthaired Pointer5/5
Good with Other Dogs
Miniature American Shepherd5/5
German Shorthaired Pointer4/5
Good with Strangers
Miniature American Shepherd3/5
German Shorthaired Pointer4/5
Living Requirements
Suitable Environments
Climate Suitability
Health & Care Comparison
Miniature American Shepherd
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
MDR1 Gene: Drug sensitivity issue
PRA: Progressive retinal atrophy
Collie Eye Anomaly: Vision defect
Epilepsy: Neurological condition
Cataracts: Vision clouding concern
German Shorthaired Pointer
Hip Dysplasia: Joint malformation risk
Von Willebrand's Disease: Blood clotting
Entropion: Eyelid rolls inward issue
Bloat: Gastric torsion condition
Epilepsy: Neurological disorder risk
Lymphedema: Tissue swelling concern
Pros & Cons Comparison
Miniature American Shepherd
Pros
Highly intelligent and trainable
Excellent family companion
Versatile working ability
Compact size
Strong herding instincts
Cons
High exercise needs
Regular grooming required
Can be vocal
Strong herding instinct may need management
Requires consistent training
German Shorthaired Pointer
Pros
Excellent hunting companion
Highly trainable
Versatile athlete
Great family dog
Cons
High exercise needs
Strong prey drive
Requires consistent training
May be too energetic for some
Miniature American Shepherd Fun Fact
Despite their small size, they retain all the working abilities of their larger Australian Shepherd ancestors!
German Shorthaired Pointer Fun Fact
Can maintain speeds of up to 35 mph while running and are excellent swimmers due to their webbed feet.
Heritage & Purpose
Miniature American Shepherd
Origin:
Developed in California during the 1960s as a smaller version of Australian Shepherds, these dogs were bred specifically for herding smaller livestock and companion work.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Origin:
Developed in Germany during the 1800s as a versatile hunting companion, excelling in both pointing and retrieving game birds across varied terrain types.
Special Considerations
Miniature American Shepherd
Needs regular grooming to maintain coat condition. Requires substantial exercise and mental stimulation. Health testing for MDR1 gene mutation recommended.
German Shorthaired Pointer
Needs extensive daily exercise, regular grooming despite short coat, and monitoring for breed-specific health issues like hip dysplasia.