Pastoral group · United States
Australian Shepherd
Also called Aussie.
What makes them remarkable
The name is misleading: the Australian Shepherd was developed in the western United States.
- Smart
- Work-oriented
- Exuberant
- Good-natured
- Protective
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 18 to 29 kg40 to 65 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 15 years
- Energy
- Very High
- Trains
- Very High
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training an Australian Shepherd
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Keep Busy
Start here
Boredom leads to destructive behaviour.
Channel Herding
Provide outlets for natural herding drive.
Variety in Training
Quick learners who get bored with repetition.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Australian Shepherd and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, one step at a time.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 2+ hours daily. Active sports and mental games.
- Grooming
- Heavy shedding. Regular brushing needed.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Double coat, Medium lengthBlue Merle, Red Merle, Black, Red, Tricolour
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint issues
MDR1 Gene
Moderate
Drug sensitivity, test required
Eye Problems
Moderate
Cataracts, coloboma
Where they come from
History
Despite name, developed in western US in the 19th century from various herding breeds.
Similar breeds
All breeds
Australian Cattle Dog
Dingoes are part of this cattle dog’s ancestry, alongside imported herding dogs.
Medium · Pastoral
Bearded Collie
A post-war revival helped save this shaggy Scottish cattle and sheep herder from disappearing.
Medium · Pastoral
Belgian Malinois
Before military and police work, the Malinois was a herding dog named after the Belgian city of Malines.
Large · Pastoral
Briard
This French sheepdog also served as a sentry during the First World War.
Large · Pastoral