Miniature American Shepherd health: what owners should know

The breed shares many predispositions with the Australian Shepherd: hip dysplasia, inherited eye conditions such as cataracts and progressive retinal atrophy, epilepsy, and the MDR1 gene mutation that affects sensitivity to certain drugs. Patellar luxation is also seen, as in many smaller breeds. Merle-to-merle breeding carries a high risk of deafness and eye defects, so good breeders never pair two merles.

Ask breeders for hip evaluations, recent eye exams by a veterinary ophthalmologist, and DNA results for MDR1 and relevant eye genes. At home, keep your dog lean, brush its teeth and mention its MDR1 status to every vet. See the vet promptly if you notice cloudy or bulging eyes, a seizure, skipping on a hind leg, or unusual wobbliness or drooling after starting a new product.