Australian Shepherd dogs: everything you need to know

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized pooches, born to work on farms and ranches. Shepherds by nature but Australian perhaps just by name (more on that later), Aussie dogs are energetic, fun-loving, and loyal companions.

Thinking of getting an Australian Shepherd, or already got one? Read on to find out more about Aussies, from how to look after them to where they actually came from. 

Australian Shepherd characteristics

Origin: We know the name is misleading, but Australian Shepherds actually originated in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe.

Size: Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs, growing to around 18-22 inches, and weighing 41-64 pounds. 

Character: Intelligent dogs with lots of energy, Aussies are happiest when busy working or training.

Grooming: Brush your Australian Shepherd 1-2 times a week, more during shedding season.

Health needs: Limping and trouble standing up may be a sign that your Aussie has hip dysplasia, a condition unfortunately common in large to medium-sized dogs. Australian Shepherds may also inherit genetic eye problems including cataracts and colobomas. 

Training: Australian Shepherds are eager to please and their intelligence makes them easy to train. They will pick up good (and bad) habits from a young age, so it’s important to start training them as early as possible. 

Energy levels: Aussies have high energy levels and need lots of physical stimulation.

Intelligence: As relatives of the highly intelligent Border Collie, it’s only natural Aussies are clever pups!

Lifespan: 12-15 years. 

Noise levels: Sometimes Australian Shepherds will bark if they are bored or they see something out of the ordinary. They are naturally protective of their pet parents and can be a little wary of strangers. 

Australian Shepherd looks & appearance

Australian Shepherds are definitely not your average-looking mutts. Their eye-catching coats are patterned with speckled patches of colour known as merle, a trait unique to certain dog breeds. Australian Shepherds will usually have varying shades of blue merle, red (or liver) merle, and black in their fur. Their medium-length coats are made of two layers; the first layer is long and weather-resistant, and the second layer, or undercoat, helps the pooch adjust to changing temperatures. They have longer hair known as feathering on the backs of their legs, and floppy, triangular ears.

Historically a working breed, Australian Shepherds would often have docked tails to prevent injury. These days, the practice is unnecessary and in many countries, has been made illegal other than for medical reasons. It is thought that about one in five Australian Shepherd’s tails are naturally shorter, and some may even be born without a tail. Australian Shepherd puppies are also sometimes born with speckled noses which change colour as they grow up, and red merle Australian Shepherds might have red lips, noses, and eye rims. 

One of the most unique traits of Aussie dogs is their eyes. Just like their fur, they can have brown, amber, or blue eyes. It is not unusual for these patterned pups to have two different eye colours, or even marbled colouring inside the same eye. 

Australian Shepherd personality

It’s easy to see where the name “man’s best friend” comes from with these loyal doggies, as Australian Shepherds are happiest when by their pet parent’s side. Known as “velcro dogs”, Aussies can be wary of strangers and will often bark at anything, or anyone, they think is unusual. 

Due to their working history, mental and physical stimulation is important for Australian Shepherds. It’s not just sheep they enjoy grouping, their innate herding instinct means pet parents might find themselves being rounded up along with children and small animals. Aussies also make great running partners, and their idea of fun is endless games of fetch, dog sports, and even agility courses!

Being dogs that live and breathe physical exertion, Aussie dogs love keeping busy. Without enough stimulation, they can become frustrated and unhappy, and their pent-up energy can sometimes lead to destructive behaviour.

What's the ideal home for an Australian Shepherd?

Australian Shepherds need somewhere to go with their boundless energy. A large garden will provide ample space for short bursts of high energy and zoomies, but it’s still extremely important to take your pooch for a walk so they can properly let off some steam.

Don’t worry if you haven’t got a flock of sheep to hand, Aussies love having a good run around off-lead, so the ideal home is close to an area with lots of opportunities for exploring away from main roads. Due to their energetic nature, Australian Shepherds are not so well suited to big city life, they prefer the countryside where they have more freedom to explore.

What's the ideal human for an Australian Shepherd?

Despite being popular with the likes of Amanda Seyfried, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Steven Spielberg, you don’t have to be an A-list celebrity to own an Australian Shepherd.

Aussies enjoy being at the heart of an active, loving family, with pet parents who will match their endless energy and love for the outdoors. They get along well with other furry family members and children, as long as they are on a first-name basis from a young age.

Tips for training Australian Shepherds

From working on farms and ranches to the big screen, Aussie dogs have been trained for centuries. They were born for stardom, featuring in numerous Western films as the trusty companion to a brave cowboy. Famous for rodeo shows and the winner of Best in Show at Crufts, the Australian Shepherd has always been a hardworking doggy, sure to steal the show.

But many Australian Shepherds sadly end up in care because their pet parents can’t keep up with their high energy levels. Training is a great way to keep Aussies happy and engaged; they are intelligent and eager to please, making them excellent students. Using treats as positive reinforcement will help your Aussie pick up commands quickly. They love the attention and praise they receive for doing something well, and it serves as an incentive to do it again!

It’s important to socialise Australian Shepherds from a young age to ensure their protective instincts do not get in the way of day-to-day life. Introducing Aussie pups to young children and other furry friends as well as new places and experiences will give them a well-rounded view of the world and its genuine dangers.  

Start off on the right foot by also teaching your Aussie the basic commands from a young age. Once they’ve got the hang of these, Australian Shepherds will enjoy learning harder commands like “play dead”, “high five” and “hug”. Moving onto agility-style training courses is a great way to keep your pooch entertained, and they will enjoy learning complicated games like disc-dog (frisbee), Mantrailing (finding people for fun), and Treibball (a giant ball game). 

Being such intelligent and loyal companions, Australian Shepherds can also be trained to be excellent police dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, and guide dogs. Having been bred to be working dogs, hard graft is in the Aussie's blood. 

Grooming Australian Shepherds

As lovers of the outdoors, Australian Shepherds are prone to getting a bit mucky. Their weather-resistant top coat cleverly cleans itself, but they do benefit from the occasional bath. Brushing your Aussie’s coat a couple of times a week should keep them looking furry fresh, but they may need more attention during shedding season. We recommend using a grooming rake to remove debris matted into your dog’s coat, then a deshedding brush to get rid of excess fur. 

It’s a good idea to use your dog’s grooming time to look for any warning signs of health issues. Check their ears for wax and seeds, give their teeth a good brush, and keep their nails trimmed. Aussies can be prone to eye problems so keep a lookout for any signs of discomfort. If you have an older Australian Shepherd in the house, check for signs of hip dysplasia, a painful condition in which the hip joint does not fit correctly into the hip socket.

Australian Shepherd history

Despite the name, Australian Shepherds actually originated in the Pyrenees Mountains of Europe. Originally named the Pyrenean Shepherd, the blue merle dog would help local Basque shepherds herd their sheep. The next bit of the story is a little hazy.

Some say the Basque shepherds travelled to the Australian outback for work at the beginning of the 1800s. It was there that the Pyrenean Shepherd was bred with British dogs like the Border Collie and thus, the Australian Shepherd was born. However, while the American Kennel Club agrees that Aussies originated from the blue Basque dogs, there is no documented evidence of Australian Shepherds being a breed native to Australia. 

Whether they went to Australia or not, the Basque shepherds certainly ended up in the American West, where local ranchers were impressed by the Basque herding dogs. Quickly becoming a firm favourite in America, the Aussie dog continued to be bred to work with sheep and cattle. In 1957 the Australian Shepherd Club of America was established to represent the breed, and today they organise competitions in Agility, Conformation, Dock Jumping, Obedience, Rallying, Scent Searching, Stockdogging, and Tracking. 

Getting an Australian Shepherd

It’s always important to think about your lifestyle before deciding to become a pet parent, especially with an Australian Shepherd.

Consider whether you will be able to keep up with these energetic doggies; can you give them at least two hours of exercise each day? If you are looking for a lap dog then you’re barking up the wrong tree, an Aussie’s never-ending energy means they need lots of physical activity.

Remember that mental stimulation is just as important as physical, so obedience and agility-style training is a great way to stave off boredom. If you think you’ve got what it takes, also consider how much time you spend at home. Australian Shepherds love having company, so if you’re jetting off on holiday, have a look for a nearby dog sitter to take care of your pooch while you’re away.