About Australian Shepherd Dogs
Australian shepherds are a family favourite, both on the farm and at home, making them the perfect all-rounder pet. Regardless of the role they’ll be fulfilling, your intelligent Aussie Shepherd will quickly learn the ropes and settle in.
While the name suggests that these dogs are an Australian native, the breed is actually an American creation with European roots. Traced back to the Pyrenees, there are strong ties between the Australian Shepherd and Pyrenean Shepherd that hails from the Basque region between France and Spain.
The bright-eyed dogs make for great help around the farm, and are equally as lovely to keep as a family dog, too. Loyal, loving, and lovable, Aussie Shepherds fit perfectly into households with small kids. They have even been known to keep their herding skills in tip-top shape, corralling little ones by nipping playfully at their heels. If you’re on the lookout for an intelligent addition to your home, this could be the perfect pooch for you.
Australian Shepherd Top Breed Takeaways
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is a friendly dog with an easy-going temperament. While a large part of this comes down to their intelligence, it’s also important for owners to engage with and keep their dog stimulated during the day to avoid any displays of boredom, frustration, or unrest.
Thanks to this good temperament, Aussies make for an ideal addition to young families, and will likely adapt well to any new members who may join the home down the line.
As they have a history of working on farms, they are also known to play well with other animals. It is still important, however, to ensure they are properly socialised and supervised, just in case anything might happen and cause them to act up.
Activity Level
Aussies are an extremely active dog breed, and require a lot of physical and mental stimulation throughout the day to keep them happy. An under-stimulated dog is more likely to display negative behaviours out of boredom and unrest. If you’re considering bringing an Australian Shepherd into your life, you’ll want to make sure you can give it at least 2 hours of physical activity each day- this includes walking, running, and playtime.
Health
Most dog breeds have a range of health implications that they are prone to, and unfortunately, Australian Shepherds are no different. In their case, hearing and vision problems can be common, along with epilepsy, hip dysplasia, and multidrug resistance. We’ll go into more detail on these further down, letting you know what to look out for and how to best care for your pet if they become unwell.
Lifespan
These dogs generally live to 12-15 years old, with proper care and attention being paramount in their quality and length of life.
Appearance
Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized dog. They can be anywhere from 46-58 cm in height as adults, weighing in at 16-32 kilograms, with females generally taking on a smaller stature than males.
There are four main colours for this breed; blue merle, red merle, solid black, and solid red. These colours can make up their entire fur pattern, or can be combined with white or tan-colour fur, too.
These beautiful dogs also tend to have piercing eyes, with heterochromia being a common feature. This is where each eye is different colours, giving the gorgeous pups a particularly eye-catching feature that will stand out in any dog park.
.png?v=1750658517930)
How Regular Grooming Keeps Your Australian Shepherd Clean and Comfortable
Coat
The Australian Shepherd has a medium-length double coat. This extra layer gives them the ability to control their temperature, meaning they can keep warm in the winter and stay cool in the summer. The bottom layer is woolly, soft, and dense, while the top coat has a thicker, coarser feel.
.svg?v=0)
Shedding Pattern
With all of this fur, it’s no surprise that your Aussie will shed a considerable amount, so take this into account if anyone in your household has any allergies or sensitivities. The breed sheds year-round, with two heavy shedding seasons in the spring and autumn, helping them to get ready for the upcoming season. If you want to bring an Australian Shepherd home, you might also want to invest in a good vacuum!
Grooming
The best way to keep your Aussie looking dapper and adorable is with frequent brushing and fur management. Using a combination of a slicker brush and a long tooth undercoat rake, brushing once or twice a week is plenty, with the occasional bath every couple of months. While it may cross your mind to shave your dog to limit shedding mess and keep them cool during the warmer months, this is actually not recommended, as it can alter the way the fur grows back, and may do more harm than good in the long run.
Browse our vet-recommended grooming products
Gripsoft Slicker Brush
Gripsoft products are easy to use and designed to give a professional finish. The soft, rubber-sheathed, non-slip ergonomic handle provides maximum comfort, grip and control.
Slicker Brush: Use to remove dead and shedding hair from your pets and help untangle mats and snarls. The version with soft pins is specially designed for pets with sensitive skin and fine, silky coats.
Fido’s Fresh Coat Spray
Fido's Fresh Coat Spray is a cologne coat conditioner and deodorant spray for dogs and cats. It contains lanolin and silicone to condition and de-tangle your pet's coat, while the cologne leaves your pet smelling great. Keeps your pet smelling fresh and clean between washes.
The spray can be used on dry or wet coats and is ideal as a finishing touch after hydrobathing. Suitable for use with long-term flea control products. Freshens the coat, detangles and conditions. For at home and professional groomer use.
Available in 125mL, 500mL and 5L refill packs.
Gripsoft Nail Clippers
Gripsoft products are easy to use and designed to give a professional finish. The soft, rubber-sheathed, non-slip ergonomic handle provides maximum comfort, grip and control.
Gripsoft Nail Trimmers can be used to trim the nails of any breed to maintain comfortable nail length. Deluxe Nail Trimmers include a cutting guard for additional safety and ease of use.
How Positive Training Helps Shape Well-Behaved, Bonded Australian Shepherd
Like we’ve mentioned before, Australian Shepherds are incredibly intelligent dogs. This makes them eager to learn and easy to train, as long as you have a good training schedule that you’re willing to stick to.
Toilet Training
From the day you take your Aussie home, potty training should be pretty high up on the list of priorities. Pups will need a set schedule with frequent potty breaks to get them into good habits from the get-go. All going well, by six months old, your dog should be a pretty confident pottier.
Commands
Start slow with commands from an early age, and build up as they grow. Make sure to get the basics down like “sit”, “down”, “come”, and “stay”, before adding in fun tricks. Remember, these quick learners will ace the commands in no time.
Making Friends
Proper socialising with other animals is an important factor in taking them out and about with peace of mind. Just like with basic training, introducing your pup to other dogs from a young age will help get them used to being around animals and pets. Being traditionally farm dogs, Aussies are pretty accustomed to socialising, so this step shouldn’t be too difficult. Just make sure that their furry friends are also vaccinated to prevent any unwanted illness!
Australian Shepherd Behaviour Management to Prevent Barking and Destructive Habits
Listening to barking is a natural part of dog ownership, but it can be a lot if it’s ongoing and you don’t quite know why. This is why it’s incredibly important to understand your own dog, as well as common breed behaviours. When you know why they’re barking, you can help them work through whatever the cause is, putting you and your furry friend at ease.
Protective Nature
As the Australian Shepherd is a working dog at its core, barking is pretty much in their bones. With this being said, they don’t tend to bark without good reason. Aussies will generally bark as a warning to their owners of perceived strangers approaching, wanting to help keep their loved ones safe. As with many breeds, any potential threat will often be met with some barking. Reassuring your pal that everything’s ok with gentle pats and a treat might just do the trick!
Boredom Busters
These hyper-intelligent dogs can also get bored pretty easily, and will be sure to vocalise their frustration. The easiest way to mitigate this is to simply keep them entertained. This doesn’t mean that the owner has to be at the dog’s beck and call 24/7, as there is a huge range of puzzles and interactive toys on the market to bust any boredom the pooch may feel.
Training
Training can also be a great way to put a stop to unwanted barking. Positive reinforcement works wonders with this clever breed, so a quick command and treat can help to keep any non-desirable behaviours in check.
Shop our behaviour management products
Zylkene Plus for Large Dogs 450mg
Zylkene® Plus is a calming complementary feed product which combines two natural origin ingredients to offer a gentle, yet reliably effective way to help pets manage prolonged or recurring emotionally challenging situations. Zylkene® Plus combines the natural origin active ingredients alpha-casozepine and white fish muscle hydrolysate. The effect of alpha-casozepine is based on the principle of satiety and sleepiness in new-borns after feeding on milk/colostrum. Hydrolysing white fish muscle yields bioactive peptides and amino acids that are considered to have calming properties.
The formulation makes it easy to support the long-term emotional wellbeing of every pet:
- Suitable for use in dogs and cats of all breeds and sizes, and is effective both inside and outside the home
- Capsule formulation that can be sprinkled on food, for easy administration
Zylkene® is:
- Of natural origins
- Well tollarated by pets
- Easy to use
- Proven effectiveness
- First-line non-medicine options
- Most recommended calming supplement by vets
Fido’s ChewStop Spray for Dogs and Puppies
Fido’s ChewStop spray discourages puppies and dogs from chewing on household items.
A bitter spray to help prevent undesirable chewing on household items such as furniture, clothing, shoes and computer cables.
In ready to use spray bottles. 200mL, 500mL
PAW Complete Calm Chews for Dogs
Unwanted feelings of nervousness, anxiety, stress and fear can all impact your dogs mental wellbeing. Help your dog adapt to changing situations and bring them back to a place of calm with PAW Complete Calm for Medium and Large Dogs.
These tasty chews contain tryptophan to help reduce stress-related behaviour and anxiety-induced aggression, as well as B group vitamins to support the general health and nervous system function in your dog. These nutritious chews contain a rich source of vitamins and minerals which are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system.
Highly palatable chew formulated with tasty fish and chickpea protein that is easy to give to your pet on a daily basis.
Tryptophan has been demonstrated to benefit dogs displaying signs of:
- Stress related behaviours such as vocalisation, marking and changes in appetite.
- Anxiety induced aggression.
- General anxiety driving changes in serotonin levels (eg. separation anxiety, travel anxiety).
For animal consumption only. Read the label carefully before use.
Play and Enrichment Activities to Keep Your Australian Shepherd Engaged
An energetic breed, Australian Shepherds require about two hours of exercise a day to keep them healthy, happy, and stimulated. This can be made up of different activities to change things up and offer some variety for them (and you)!
Working Dogs
As Australian Shepherds are known for their skills on the farm, it’s no surprise that the breed is well-accustomed to exercise. These dogs can reach speeds of up to 56 kilometres per hour, and can run at a gentler pace for up to about nine kilometres. If it’s a furry farmhand you’re after, make sure to get your Aussie Shepherd from a reputable farming breeder. Farm dogs will likely get their daily exercise needs met while rounding livestock and helping you out, but make sure to build up their stamina over time- too much too soon can lead to pain and injuries for the pups!
The Great Outdoors
These farm dogs love nothing more than embracing the outdoors and running around in big, open spaces. If there’s somewhere safe where you can take them to bound around off-lead, this is a great option. It gives them a chance to burn off some energy, while you can stroll, throw the ball, and take in the fresh air at a more leisurely pace.
Fun and Games
If you’ve had enough walking and running with your pooch, there are plenty of activities you can do to appeal to your Aussie’s natural herding instincts. Think fetch, frisbee, and hide and seek. Treibball is also a beloved game of herding dogs and their owners alike; you gather exercise balls of different sizes and leave them around the room, allowing your pal to “herd” them together just like they would with livestock.
Mental Stimulation
Puzzles and treat-guided toys can be the perfect way to keep your Australian Shepherd entertained while you get some work done. Kongs, lickers, and basically anything that requires some brain power to get to the bottom of will keep your pet entertained.
It’s important to tailor the playtime to your dog’s age and ability. Be careful not to play too rough or over-exercise your dog, as this could increase the risk of injury, particularly where the breed may be predisposed.
Which Health Issues Should Australian Shepherd Pet Parents Watch For?
While generally robust, Australian Shepherds are predisposed to certain genetic health conditions that prospective and current owners should be aware of. Responsible breeders conduct health screenings to minimise the risk of passing these conditions to offspring.
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
These are hereditary developmental conditions where the hip or elbow joints don't form correctly, leading to a loose fit of the ball and socket. This can cause pain, lameness, and secondary osteoarthritis. While genetics are the primary cause, environmental factors like rapid growth from overfeeding or excessive high-impact exercise in puppies can exacerbate the condition.
Management often involves weight control, careful exercise, physiotherapy (including hydrotherapy), pain medication, joint supplements, and in severe cases, surgical interventions such as Femoral Head Ostectomy (FHO) or Total Hip Replacement (THR).
Vision Issues
Australian Shepherds are prone to various inherited eye conditions. The most common include:
Cataracts: This is a clouding of the eye's lens, often appearing after two years of age, which can progress and impair vision, potentially leading to blindness. Genetic testing for the HSF4 gene mutation is available, though it's important to note that not all dogs with the mutation will develop cataracts, and other genetic and non-genetic factors contribute.
Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA): This is a congenital condition affecting the retina, choroid, and sclera, varying in severity from minor vision impairment to blindness.
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA): A group of degenerative diseases that cause the photoreceptor cells in the retina to deteriorate over time, leading to eventual blindness. There's currently no cure for PRA.Reputable breeders should provide ophthalmologist eye certificates for breeding dogs, as screening by a board-certified veterinary ophthalmologist is crucial.
Hearing Problems (Double Merle)
Double Merle Australian Shepherds, born from breeding two merle-patterned dogs, carry two copies of the dominant merle gene. This genetic combination significantly increases their risk of suffering from severe vision and hearing impairments, including partial or complete deafness and blindness. These dogs often have excessive white coat patterns. Ethical breeding practices strictly advise against merle-to-merle breedings to prevent the birth of Double Merles.
Epilepsy
This neurological disorder can cause recurrent seizures or convulsions. While there is no definitive cure for canine epilepsy, the frequency and severity of seizures can often be managed effectively through proper diagnosis and lifelong medication. Common anticonvulsant medications include phenobarbital, levetiracetam (Keppra), and zonisamide. Veterinary oversight is essential to determine the appropriate medication and dosage, as well as to monitor for potential side effects.
Keep Your Australian Shepherd Happy and Healthy with Balanced Nutrition
Balanced Diet
Just like you, your Australian Shepherd needs a balanced diet of proteins, carbohydrates, and healthy fats, along with essential vitamins and minerals to stay healthy and happy. Look for vet-recommended dog food where the protein source is clearly named as the first ingredient. This will be great for your Aussie’s activity level and to maintain their muscular physique.
Age
This is one of the main factors that will influence your dog’s diet. As Australian Shepherd pups are energetic and rapidly growing, they’ll need 1-2.5 cups of food, split between 3-4 meals per day. Adults will need 1.5-3.5 cups twice daily, whereas seniors will need slightly less as their activity level and metabolism slow.
Playing with their Meal
Integrating mental stimulation into mealtime is a fantastic way to keep your Aussie Shepherd engaged in activities throughout the day. Slow-feeders and lick mats will make eating an enriching experience, and will help your dog pace themselves, preventing indigestion and bloating, giving them all the fuel they’ll need for a happy and healthy life!
Browse our range of food and nutritional products
Dry Dog Food - Vet Approved Diets
Browse our extensive range of Dry Dog Food today and find food your puppy or adult dog is guaranteed to love. We stock a wide range of leading brands including Royal Canin, Advance, Hill's, Eukanuba, and more. Our Puppy Food range is perfect for puppies of any size, and we also offer a wide range of Prescription Diets for your dog, to help with Weight Management, Skin & Food Sensitivities, Mobility Issues, Sensitive Stomachs and more. Browse our range today on Vets Love Pets.
Wet Dog Food - Vet Approved
Enjoy our wide range of delicious wet food for your Puppy and dog, available both in cans and pouches. We stock a wide range of leading brands including Royal Canin, Advance, Hill's and more. We also offer a wide range of prescription wet food diets for your dog, to help with Weight Management, Skin & Food Sensitivities, Gastrointestinal Health and more. Browse our range today on Vets Love Pets.
Diet Dog Food - Weight Management Diets
How to Choose an Ethical Breeder or Adopt a Australian Shepherd Responsibly
Australian Shepherds are energetic, whip-smart, and incredibly loyal, but they’re not the breed for everyone. Finding the right Aussie starts with understanding their needs and making sure you’re ready for the commitment.
If you're buying a puppy, prioritise breeders who understand the importance of temperament, mental stimulation, and health. Ethical Aussie breeders will screen for hip dysplasia, elbow issues, MDR1 drug sensitivity, and hereditary eye diseases like collie eye anomaly (CEA).
A good breeder will also raise pups in a busy, enriching environment (not a kennel) and provide early socialisation, training exposure, and lifelong support.
Avoid puppy farms, pet stores, and vague online listings. These dogs need more than a backyard, they need engagement, structure, and an owner who gets them.
Before committing, ask your breeder:
Have both parents been health tested for joint, eye, and genetic conditions?
Can I meet the parents and see how the puppies are raised?
What mental stimulation and training foundations have they had?
Will you support me after bringing the puppy home?
Choosing an Aussie should feel purposeful. These are working dogs at heart: loyal, intense, and deeply rewarding for the right parent.
Breeds That Are Similar to Australian Shepherds
Love the Australian Shepherd’s smarts, drive, and colourful coat? You might also want to check out:
- Border Collie: Highly intelligent and eager to work. Even more intense than the Aussie, and thrives with structure and activity.
- Miniature American Shepherd: All the Aussie vibes in a more compact package. Still needs exercise and mental stimulation.
- Australian Kelpie: Australian-born working dog with endless stamina and a sharp mind. Best for experienced handlers.
Australian Shepherd FAQs
1. Are Australian Shepherds good for first-time dog owners?
Australian Shepherds are generally not recommended for first-time dog owners due to their high energy levels, intense need for mental stimulation, and strong herding instincts. They require a significant commitment to consistent training, socialisation, and daily exercise. While intelligent and eager to please, their needs can be overwhelming for inexperienced owners.
2. Can Australian Shepherds live in apartments?
While possible, living in an apartment is generally not ideal for an Australian Shepherd. Their high energy and need for space to run and play make them much happier in homes with secure yards. If apartment living is the only option, owners must commit to multiple daily walks, dog park visits, and engaging activities to meet their substantial exercise requirements.
3. Are Australian Shepherds aggressive?
Australian Shepherds are not inherently aggressive. However, their protective nature and strong herding instincts can sometimes be misinterpreted or, if not properly managed, lead to behaviours like nipping at heels or being wary of strangers. Proper socialisation from a young age and consistent positive reinforcement training are vital to ensure they are well-adjusted and friendly dogs.
4. What is the difference between an Australian Shepherd and a Miniature Australian Shepherd?
The primary difference between an Australian Shepherd and a Miniature Australian Shepherd (now officially known as a Miniature American Shepherd) is size. Miniature American Shepherds are essentially smaller versions of the Australian Shepherd, bred for their compact size while retaining similar temperaments, intelligence, and working drive. They share a common ancestry but are now recognised as distinct breeds.
5. How much does it cost to own an Australian Shepherd?
The cost of owning an Australian Shepherd varies, but it's a significant financial commitment. Initial costs include the purchase price from a reputable breeder (which can range from AUD $1,500 - $4,000+ in Australia), initial vet visits, vaccinations, and supplies. Ongoing costs include high-quality food, regular veterinary care (including potential breed-specific health screenings), grooming supplies, training classes, and toys, which can easily amount to several hundred dollars per month.
Conclusion
Whether you own an Australian Shepard or are considering adding one to your family, we trust that our guide has provided you with valuable insights. Whilst this guide is great start to learning about Australian Shepard ownership, never stop seeking out new information from reputable sources. Engage with other Australian Shepard owners, share your experiences and continue learning about your dog's breed, characteristics, temperament, and the best ways to care for and cherish them.
This article was written by Dr. Jack Ayerbe
References
Vets Love Pets follows rigorous sourcing standards, drawing only from peer-reviewed veterinary studies, recognised university research, and trusted industry or government bodies. Every fact is checked against credible, evidence-based references to keep our content accurate, transparent, and veterinarian-approved.
American College of Veterinary Surgeons. Hip Dysplasia in Dogs.
Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute. Eye Diseases.
Australian Shepherd Club of America. Double Merle.
