Frequently asked questions.
What are Miniature American Shepherds?
We raise Miniature American Shepherds, often called Mini Aussies. This breed was developed from Australian Shepherds to create a more compact, travel-friendly version while keeping the intelligence, loyalty, and athleticism that made Aussies so popular. Recognized by the AKC in 2015 as the Miniature American Shepherd, they have quickly become beloved as versatile family dogs — equally at home hiking a trail, competing in dog sports, or cuddling on the couch.
Our program focuses on producing family companions first — dogs with steady temperaments, great structure, and plenty of personality.
How big do your dogs get?
Great question! Size can be confusing since you’ll hear terms like “Toy” and “Mini.”
Here’s the breakdown:
Toy Aussies: under 14 inches at the shoulder, usually 12–20 pounds.
Mini Aussies (Miniature American Shepherds): 14–18 inches at the shoulder, generally 20–40 pounds.
In our program, Chief (our stud) is a Toy, and Millie (our female) is a Mini. Their puppies usually land in between — a mix of larger Toys and smaller Minis. On average, expect 13–16 inches tall and 18–30 pounds full grown.
This size is a sweet spot: small enough to be portable and easy to travel with, but sturdy and athletic enough to keep up with family adventures.
Do Mini Aussies shed?
Yes, Mini Aussies do shed. They have a double coat with a soft undercoat and a medium-length outer coat. Shedding is heaviest during seasonal changes (spring and fall), but weekly brushing goes a long way in managing it. Regular grooming also helps keep their coat healthy and reduces loose hair in the home.
Most families find their shedding very manageable — especially given how affectionate, beautiful, and versatile these dogs are.
How active are they?
Mini Aussies are active and intelligent, which means they thrive with both mental and physical exercise. Daily walks, playtime, and training games are important for their happiness.
That said, activity levels vary with each individual:
Some are more laid-back, happy to relax after a walk or training session.
Others are higher-energy and love to go, go, go.
What they all share is a deep desire to be with their people. They’re not dogs who want to be left in the backyard all day, but if included in family life, they adapt beautifully to your lifestyle.
Are your dogs good family pets?
Yes. Our dogs are raised in our home and are part of our family. Puppies are handled daily, introduced to kids, and socialized with everyday household noises and experiences.
We use the Puppy Culture curriculum to guide socialization and training during their most important early weeks. This helps produce confident, well-rounded puppies who transition smoothly into family life.
We’ve seen firsthand how Mini Aussies bond with children — they’re loyal, attentive, and affectionate, while also respectful and intelligent.
What is Puppy Culture, and why is it important?
Puppy Culture is a comprehensive, science-based program for raising puppies during their first 12 weeks — the most critical window for social and behavioral development. It includes:
Early neurological stimulation
Exposure to new sounds, sights, and textures
Problem-solving games and confidence-building exercises
Beginning crate training, potty-training, and basic manners
Positive introduction to new people and experiences
Why it matters: A puppy’s experiences during this stage shape their adult personality. Puppies raised with Puppy Culture are more resilient, less fearful, and better equipped to handle stress. We’ve found it makes a remarkable difference in creating mentally healthy family companions.
What health testing do you do?
All of our breeding dogs are AKC registered, health tested, and cleared by veterinarians before breeding. Every puppy is vet-checked, dewormed, microchipped, and started on vaccinations before going home. We combine this physical foundation with intentional socialization to give each puppy the best possible start.
How do you raise your puppies?
Our puppies are raised in our home, surrounded by family life and farm life. From day one, they’re handled gently and exposed to age-appropriate new experiences. Using Puppy Culture protocols, we focus on building confidence and adaptability.
By 8 weeks, our puppies will have experienced:
Positive handling and human interaction
Early crate and potty training beginnings
Exposure to common household sounds
Play-based learning and problem-solving
Socialization with children and other animals
We put in the time and care so your puppy is ready to join your family with the best foundation possible.
Do you offer support after I bring my puppy home?
Yes — and this is something we take seriously. Every family receives:
A puppy pack with supplies and resources
Weekly training and raising tips during the first weeks
Ongoing access to us for questions and guidance
We are committed to lifetime support. Whether you have a quick question at 12 weeks or at 12 years, we’re here to help.
What comes with my puppy?
Each puppy goes home with:
AKC registration (if applicable)
Vet check paperwork
Microchip (with our info as a permanent backup)
Age-appropriate vaccinations and deworming
Puppy pack with starter supplies
Weekly training and socialization tips
Lifetime breeder support
How much are your puppies?
Our puppies start at $1,500. Pricing may vary depending on color and markings:
Merles are typically higher priced
Tris/Bis are slightly lower
Males and females are priced similarly
Pricing reflects the care, health testing, training, and support that go into raising each puppy. Every Trailside puppy comes with a solid foundation of health, early training, and lifelong support.
How do I reserve a puppy?
Fill out our puppy application so we can learn about your lifestyle and goals.
We’ll schedule a short call to get to know each other and ensure it’s a great match.
Approved families place a deposit to reserve their place in the picking order.
Can I meet the parents?
Yes! Our dogs live with us as family pets. Meeting them allows you to see the temperaments and personalities we work to pass on to our puppies.
When can puppies go home?
Puppies are ready for their new homes at 8 weeks old. This allows for healthy social development with their littermates, while still being young enough to bond deeply with their new families.
Where are you located? Do you ship puppies?
We are located in Harrisonville, Missouri (a suburb of Kansas City, Missouri). Families are encouraged to pick up in person. For out-of-state homes, we can discuss safe ground transport or flight nanny services to make sure your puppy arrives stress-free.
Why do you dock tails and remove dewclaws? Is it unethical?
This is a question we take seriously, and we want families to understand the reasoning. Miniature American Shepherds are a breed traditionally docked at just a few days old, long before their eyes are open. At this stage, puppies spend almost all their time sleeping and nursing, and the procedure is quick, with puppies returning to nursing right away.
Why tails are docked:
Historically, docking was done to prevent tail injuries in working dogs. Mini Aussies are active, agile, and prone to “happy tail” injuries when they hit their tails on furniture, fences, or brush.
It is also part of the AKC breed standard for Miniature American Shepherds.
Why dewclaws are removed:
Dewclaws (the extra “thumb-like” toe on the front legs) can easily get caught and torn during play or activity, leading to painful injuries. Removing them at just a few days old prevents this risk.
Is it unethical?
We understand this concern, and opinions differ. Some people prefer natural tails, while others value the traditional look and function of docking. Our decision is based on:
Following breed standard practices
Preventing injuries later in life
Prioritizing the comfort and safety of the puppies
That said, we always respect families who prefer a natural tail — and when possible, we are happy to discuss options on a litter-by-litter basis.
What is your perspective on “Adopt Don’t Shop”?
This is such an important question. I (the breeder) have a deep personal connection to rescue. I’ve worked in a managerial position in an animal shelter and have adopted and rescued multiple dogs and cats over the years — some of whom still sleep in our bed every night. If you have the ability and the heart to adopt a shelter pet, you absolutely should — walk, don’t run, to your nearest shelter.
At the same time, I also believe another piece of the puzzle is raising great dogs from the very beginning. When families — especially those with children — know what to expect in terms of size, temperament, and health, it dramatically reduces the risk of stress, aggression, or rehoming. Many behavior issues can be prevented when puppies are raised thoughtfully from day one.
That’s why I breed with such care: to raise physically and mentally healthy dogs who are matched carefully with the right families. I also take extra steps to ensure none of my puppies ever end up in a shelter:
Puppies leave here microchipped with my info as a permanent backup
I offer a no-questions-asked return policy for life
I work hard to carefully match the right puppy to the right family from the start
To me, it’s not “Adopt OR Shop.” It’s about doing both responsibly — rescuing when you can, and supporting ethical, careful breeding when you want a dog raised to fit your family and lifestyle.