Breed Comparison: Miniature Pinscher Versus Shetland Sheepdog

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Miniature Pinscher Versus Shetland Sheepdog: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you.

We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.

Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Miniature Pinscher and for the Shetland Sheepdog. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Miniature Pinscher or the Shetland Sheepdog.

Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog: Overview

A very important difference between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Miniature Pinscher is a tiny-sized dog while the Shetland Sheepdog is a small-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Miniature Pinscher belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

On the other hand, the Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Miniature Pinscher to the Shetland Sheepdog based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.

When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets

Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.

However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog

Factor Miniature Pinscher Shetland Sheepdog
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Height 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 10 to 14 years 12 to 15 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 1/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 5/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 5/5
Intelligence 3/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 2/5
Easygoing 1/5 1/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 8 to 11 pounds Starts at 20 pounds
Average Lifespan 12.0 years 13.5 years
Average Price $1470 $1590
Price Range $825 – $1500 $1000 – $2000
Temperament Score 82.5 percent 68.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 67 23
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 37 6

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Miniature Pinscher in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Shetland Sheepdog. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.

    The Better-Pet score for the Miniature Pinscher is 73 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 85 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Shetland Sheepdog is a better pet than the Miniature Pinscher. So, you should get the Shetland Sheepdog!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog

    Below is a list of where the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are most different:

  • Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold. However, Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate cold weather.
  • Miniature Pinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Miniature Pinschers adapt well to apartment living. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Miniature Pinschers are very easy to groom. However, Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Miniature Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • The Similarities Between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are most similar:

  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are not prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Miniature Pinschers weigh 8 to 11 pounds when fully grown. Miniature Pinschers are 10 to 12 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Shetland Sheepdogs weigh Starts at 20 pounds when fully grown. Shetland Sheepdogs are 13 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    The lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is between 10 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Miniature Pinschers is 12.0 years.

    The lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Shetland Sheepdogs is 13.5 years.

    Shetland Sheepdogs live longer than Miniature Pinschers.

    Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Temperament of the Miniature Pinscher Versus the Shetland Sheepdog

    The Miniature Pinscher has a better temperament than the Shetland Sheepdog.

    This is because the temperament score for the Miniature Pinscher is 82.5 percent while the temperament score for the Shetland Sheepdog is 68.9 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 82.5 percent, the Miniature Pinscher has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 68.9 percent, the Shetland Sheepdog has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog by measuring the temperaments of 57 Miniature Pinschers and 515 Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Price of Miniature Pinscher versus Price of Shetland Sheepdog

    The average price of the Miniature Pinscher puppy is $1470. The price of the Miniature Pinscher typically ranges from $825 – $1500. However, the price of a Miniature Pinscher can be as low as $100 and as high as $50000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 159 Miniature Pinscher puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Shetland Sheepdog puppy is $1590. The price of the Shetland Sheepdog typically ranges from $1000 – $2000. However, the price of the Shetland Sheepdog can be as low as $500 and as high as $3145. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 153 Shetland Sheepdog puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more expensive than the Miniature Pinscher.

    Miniature Pinscher Shetland Sheepdog
    Average Price $1470 $1590
    Price Range $825 to $1500 $1000 to $2000

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Miniature Pinscher and Shetland Sheepdog. For different price points, the charts show how many Miniature Pinscher puppies or how many Shetland Sheepdog puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Miniature Pinschers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    A breakdown of the prices of Shetland Sheepdogs

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Miniature Pinscher puppy or the Shetland Sheepdog puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Adopting the Miniature Pinscher versus Adopting the Shetland Sheepdog

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Miniature Pinschers and many Shetland Sheepdogs are currently available for adoption.

    These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.

    Below is an adorable Male Miniature Pinscher named Peter that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Miniature Pinschers like Peter on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Miniature Pinschers, Shetland Sheepdogs are also available for adoption. For example, ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu is a Male Shetland Sheepdog that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Shetland Sheepdogs like ~Courtesy~Simon And Shu Shu that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Zeus is the name of another Miniature Pinscher (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Cisco is an adorable Male Shetland Sheepdog on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Miniature Pinschers and Shetland Sheepdogs are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Miniature Pinschers and Shetland Sheepdogs that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Miniature Pinscher versus the Intelligence of the Shetland Sheepdog

    Miniature Pinscher Shetland Sheepdog
    Intelligence Rank 37 out of 130 dog breeds 6 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After Fewer Than 5 Repetitions

    Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.

    According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:

  • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
  • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
  • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.
  • Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.

    This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.

    To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.

    Prof. Coren found that the Miniature Pinscher has an obedience intelligence rank of 37 out of 130 dog breeds. The Miniature Pinscher belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Miniature Pinschers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog has an obedience intelligence rank of 6 out of 130 dog breeds. The Shetland Sheepdog belongs to the `Brightest Dogs` category. This means that Shetland Sheepdogs tend to learn new commands after fewer than 5 repetitions.

    The Shetland Sheepdog is more intelligent than the Miniature Pinscher.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Miniature Pinscher versus Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).

    The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Shetland Sheepdog is more popular with dog owners than the Miniature Pinscher. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Shetland Sheepdog is 23 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Miniature Pinscher is 67 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Miniature Pinscher

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Popularity of Shetland Sheepdog

    Year Miniature Pinscher Popularity Rank Shetland Sheepdog Popularity Rank
    2013 53 21
    2014 61 21
    2015 64 23
    2016 68 24
    2017 71 24
    2018 70 25
    2019 74 25
    2020 77 27

    Health Problems of Miniature Pinscher versus Health Problems of Shetland Sheepdog

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to more genetic health problems than the Miniature Pinscher.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Shetland Sheepdog than for the Miniature Pinscher.

    3 health tests are recommended for Miniature Pinscher while 4 tests are recommended for the Shetland Sheepdog.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Miniature Pinschers and in Shetland Sheepdogs.

    Miniature Pinscher Health Problems

    Miniature Pinschers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Miniature Pinscher puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Miniature Pinscher puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Miniature Pinscher breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Miniature Pinschers for:

  • Clear By Parentage
  • Patellar Luxation
  • PENNGEN
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Miniature Pinschers here.

    Shetland Sheepdog Health Problems

    Shetland Sheepdogs are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Shetland Sheepdog puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Shetland Sheepdog puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Shetland Sheepdog breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Shetland Sheepdogs for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Dentition
  • Eye Examination- Recommend evaluation every year until age 5, every 2 years thereafter until age 9.
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Shetland Sheepdogs here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Miniature Pinschers and Shetland Sheepdogs

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Miniature Pinscher Breed is Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    This is because the Miniature Pinscher ranks 7 out of 40 dog breeds for Legg-Calve-Perthes problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 169 Miniature Pinschers, 2 of them had Legg-Calve-Perthes problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Miniature Pinschers, and how common these diseases are in Miniature Pinschers relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 7 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 39 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 68 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 190 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Shetland Sheepdog Breed is Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    This is because the Shetland Sheepdog ranks 3 out of 7 dog breeds for Collie Eye Anomaly problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 633 Shetland Sheepdogs, 5 of them had Collie Eye Anomaly problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Shetland Sheepdogs, and how common these diseases are in Shetland Sheepdogs relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Collie Eye Anomaly problems: Rank 3 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems: Rank 4 out of 7 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 5 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 6 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Von Willebrands problems: Rank 6 out of 15 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 46 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 89 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 101 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 122 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 166 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Miniature Pinscher and in Shetland Sheepdog and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog:

    Disease Miniature Pinscher Rank Shetland Sheepdog Rank
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems 7 out of 40 dog breeds Not Common
    Eyes problems 39 out of 182 dog breeds 122 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 68 out of 145 dog breeds 89 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 190 out of 198 dog breeds 166 out of 198 dog breeds
    Collie Eye Anomaly problems Not Common 3 out of 7 dog breeds
    Multiple Drug Resistance (Mdr1) problems Not Common 4 out of 7 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 5 out of 115 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 6 out of 49 dog breeds
    Von Willebrands problems Not Common 6 out of 15 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 46 out of 70 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 101 out of 144 dog breeds

    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog

    Miniature Pinschers do not like to be left alone.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not like to be left alone.

    Do Miniature Pinschers shed more than Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Miniature Pinschers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Shetland Sheepdogs shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Miniature Pinscher or the Shetland Sheepdog

    Miniature Pinschers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Miniature Pinscher or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers are very easy to groom.

    Shetland Sheepdogs require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Does the Miniature Pinscher Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Shetland Sheepdogs have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Miniature Pinschers Bark and Howl? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Miniature Pinschers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Miniature Pinscher vs. Shetland Sheepdog

    Miniature Pinschers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Miniature Pinschers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Shetland Sheepdogs Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Miniature Pinschers can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Shetland Sheepdogs can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Miniature Pinscher or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Miniature Pinschers good family dogs? What about Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Miniature Pinschers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Miniature Pinschers and Shetland Sheepdogs?

    Miniature Pinschers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

    Shetland Sheepdogs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Easier to Train than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers are fairly easy to train.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are very easy to train.

    Is the Miniature Pinscher Better for Apartment Owners than the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Shetland Sheepdogs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Miniature Pinscher or the Shetland Sheepdog?

    Miniature Pinschers are OK for new dog owners.

    Shetland Sheepdogs are OK for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Miniature Pinscher

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Miniature Pinscher that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Miniature Pinscher:

  • American Hairless Terrier (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs American Hairless Terrier.
  • Manchester Terrier (79 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Manchester Terrier.
  • Schipperke (75 percent match with Miniature Pinscher). Here is our comparison of the Shetland Sheepdog vs Schipperke.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Shetland Sheepdog

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Shetland Sheepdog that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Shetland Sheepdog:

  • Collie (81 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Pinscher vs Collie.
  • Pembroke Welsh Corgi (79 percent match with Shetland Sheepdog). Here is our comparison of the Miniature Pinscher vs Pembroke Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Miniature Pinscher and how the Shetland Sheepdog compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Miniature Pinscher and of the Shetland Sheepdog to other breeds:

    Miniature Pinscher Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Miniature Pinscher versus Newfoundland     Miniature Pinscher versus Spinone Italiano     Miniature Pinscher versus Cairn Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Bedlington Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Westiepoo     Miniature Pinscher versus Boykin Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Miniature Pinscher versus Chihuahua     Miniature Pinscher versus Lakeland Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Irish Water Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Afador     Miniature Pinscher versus Welsh Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus American Water Spaniel     Miniature Pinscher versus Lowchen     Miniature Pinscher versus Miniature Schnauzer     Miniature Pinscher versus Italian Greyhound     Miniature Pinscher versus Akbash     Miniature Pinscher versus Borzoi     Miniature Pinscher versus Chinese Crested     Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog     Miniature Pinscher versus Boston Terrier     Miniature Pinscher versus Bracco Italiano     Miniature Pinscher versus Shichon     Miniature Pinscher versus Golden Retriever     

    Shetland Sheepdog Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Shetland Sheepdog versus Bouvier des Flandres     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bedlington Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Catahoula Bulldog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Xoloitzcuintli     Shetland Sheepdog versus Azawakh     Shetland Sheepdog versus Alaskan Malamute     Shetland Sheepdog versus Papipoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Lowchen     Shetland Sheepdog versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Black Russian Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Puli     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Setter     Shetland Sheepdog versus Cocker Spaniel     Shetland Sheepdog versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Shetland Sheepdog versus Pomapoo     Shetland Sheepdog versus Portuguese Water Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Shetland Sheepdog versus Schipperke     Shetland Sheepdog versus Yorkshire Terrier     Shetland Sheepdog versus Finnish Lapphund     Shetland Sheepdog versus Belgian Tervuren     Shetland Sheepdog versus Bordoodle     Shetland Sheepdog versus English Toy Spaniel     

    Conclusion: Miniature Pinscher versus Shetland Sheepdog. Which One is a Better Pet?

    In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Miniature Pinscher and the Shetland Sheepdog better suits you and your family.