- Activity Level: High
- Grooming Level: High
- Trainability: Moderate
- Adaptability: High
- Kid/Pet Friendly: Often
- Prey Drive: Moderate
- Watchdog: Very Alert
- Average Size:Small
- Average Lifespan:12-15 Years
- Registered?:Other
The Australian Shepherd, a lean, tough ranch dog, is one of those ‘only in America’ stories: a European breed perfected in California by way of Australia. Fixtures on the rodeo circuit, they are closely associated with the cowboy life. The Australian Shepherd, the cowboy’s herding dog of choice, is a medium-sized worker with a keen, penetrating gaze in the eye. Aussie coats offer different looks, including merle (a mottled pattern with contrasting shades of blue or red). In all ways, they’re the picture of rugged and agile movers of stock. Aussies exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd, anything: birds, dogs, kids. This strong work drive can make Aussies too much dog for a sedentary pet owner. Aussies are remarkably intelligent, quite capable of hoodwinking an unsuspecting novice owner. In short, this isn’t the pet for everyone. But if you’re looking for a brainy, tireless, and trainable partner for work or sport, your search might end here.
Australian Shepherd are cute and adorable comedians. They are small, energetic dogs with big personalities and a zest for life. They tend to be sensitive, affectionate, and thrive on being the center of attention, which fits well with their silly and playful antics. They get along well with children, but tend to be a better fit for older children. Because a Australian Shepherd is a smart dog, they can be easily injured by the accidental falls or rough play that can happen with younger children.
They tend to make good watchdogs as they are alert and vocal. Both of their parent breeds are known to be quite vocal, so a Australian Shepherd will let you know when they see something. Because they are so vocal, it’s important to start training early as they can easily become yappy and bark too much. Socialization early and often is important for any dog breed and can also help with this tendency in your Australian Shepherd.
A Australian Shepherd is a highly adaptable dog breed. Although they are energetic, their small size makes them a good fit for apartments as well as larger homes as long as they get enough exercise, mental stimulation, and attention.
Australian Shepherd also do well in most climates. Their thick coat makes them more tolerant of cold weather than many other dog breeds of a similar size. As with any dog breed, they are sensitive to heat and extreme cold. Because the Australian Shepherd craves attention, they do not like to be left alone for long periods of time.
As with any mixed breed, a Australian Shepherd can inherit the health conditions prevalent in one, both, or neither of the parent breeds. In the case of a Australian Shepherd, the potential health conditions to be aware of include cataracts, Corneal Dystrophy, hip dysplasia, patellar luxation, and allergies. Asking the breeder about the genetic history of the parent breeds and to see any relevant health clearances or tests can help allay potential health concerns you may have.