Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Information Guide

The Australian shepherd is a highly trainable, medium-sized dog known for its multicolored coat, intelligence and energetic nature. Although the breed originated in the United States, its ancestors came from Europe by way of Australia, earning it the name Australian shepherd.

Aussies originally gained popularity as herding dogs among American ranchers and even appeared in rodeos. Today, they mostly serve as family pets, although their high intelligence and obedience also make them great therapy or service dogs.
If you’re considering adding an Australian shepherd to your household, understanding what to expect and how to adequately care for it can help you prepare for the responsibility. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of Australian shepherds, including their size, training requirements, grooming needs, common health issues and ability to successfully integrate into their new environment.

Australian Shepherd Facts Overview

Feature

Details

Size

Male: Weight: 50-65 lbs; Height: 20-23 inches
Female: Weight: 40-55 lbs; Height: 18-21 inches

Good with other dogs

Generally yes, but should be socialized early

Good with cats

Generally yes, but should be socialized early

Good with families

Yes

Training

Highly receptive to consistent reward-based training

Life Expectancy

12-15 years

Temperament

Intelligent, loyal, energetic, vigilant

Intelligence and Personality

Highly intelligent, quick learners, playful but reserved around new people

Colors

Red merle, blue merle, black or red, with white markings and tan points

Recommended Halo Collar Size

Medium for males and females – See Halo Collar Size Guide for details

Australian Shepherd Size and Physical Characteristics

Male Australian shepherds stand 20 to 23 inches tall and weigh roughly 50 to 65 pounds, while female Aussies stand 18 to 21 inches tall and weigh about 40 to 55 pounds. Both males and females have robust, muscular builds and are naturally athletic.

Additionally, Aussies have a slightly wavy, medium-length coat with a thick, weather-resistant undercoat to protect their skin. They’re identified by their unique coloring, which includes shades of red merle, blue merle, black and red. They also have white markings and tan points around their face, chest and legs. Their tails are naturally short, and some Aussies are born tailless.

Training Tips and Techniques

Due to their high intelligence, Australian shepherds learn new commands and behaviors quickly with proper and consistent training. They’re energetic and eager to please their owners, meaning they respond well to basic commands and stimulating activities or tasks. Most basic training should be done while your Aussie is a puppy, but it can still pick up new tricks as an adult.

Puppy Training

During the first 6 months, focus on teaching your Aussie basic commands, such as sit, stay and down. Keep commands consistent, and use reward-based positive reinforcement training techniques, including offering a treat or praise when your dog successfully performs a desired behavior. Stay patient, and use hand movements to guide your pup’s actions to help it better understand what you’re expecting.

Introducing your Aussie to new people, places, sounds and other dogs is also important during this time. Aussies can be a bit reserved when meeting new people or dogs, but early socialization helps build confidence and self-esteem.

Obedience Training

While Australian shepherds are loyal and hard-working, they often require consistent schedules and exposure to mentally or physically stimulating tasks to stay out of trouble. When you first bring your Aussie home, create a schedule marking specific tasks, such as when it’s time to go for a walk, to the bathroom or to eat. This helps your dog foster expectations for how the household operates.

Additionally, integrate activities, such as going for a run or to the park to play fetch, into your Aussie’s daily schedule. Sticking to low-impact activities during early training stages helps your pup get in its daily exercise while learning how to stay focused and follow commands in public or new situations.

Advanced Training

As your Australian shepherd ages, it may need exposure to more advanced activities or training to prevent boredom. Consider involving your pup in AKC activities, including agility or herding. Because Australian shepherds are naturally athletic and energetic, purposeful activities, such as navigating obstacle courses and herding livestock, help them channel that energy productively and gain stronger problem-solving skills.

A good support system for training your dog not to roam is a wireless GPS dog fence. The fences allow you to set up perimeters for your dog to play, run and sniff, while keeping them safe.

Australian Shepherd Grooming and Haircut Styles

If you’re seeking a dog breed that doesn’t require frequent grooming appointments, the Australian shepherd is for you. However, Aussies do shed a lot and need routine upkeep to prevent their medium-length coat from matting. Regular brushing helps maintain the coat’s sleek shine and remove dead hairs.

Brush your Aussie’s fur two or three times per week. More frequent brushing may be needed when your pup sheds more, such as during the spring when it’s shedding its winter coat or if it enjoys playing in water or mud. Use a slicker brush to untangle the hair, but avoid brushing all the way through so you don’t irritate your Aussie’s skin.

Other grooming activities, including bathing and nail trimming, only need to be conducted about once a month, depending on your Aussie’s activity level. If it spends a lot of time playing outside or engaging in high-intensity activities, bathe and trim nails when needed.

Additionally, Australian shepherds don’t need frequent hair trimming, but avoid ever shaving their coats. An Aussie’s double coat provides insulation from severe heat and cold, and shaving it can damage the dog’s ability to regulate body temperature. The coat may also never grow back. Instead, use a pair of thinning shears to remove matted fur and control unruly locks.

Some Aussie parents get their dog a teddy cut, which involves trimming the hair around the face, ears, paws, sides and belly to give it a stuffed animal look.

Australian Shepherd Health

Australian shepherds are generally healthy but prone to a few health conditions, including:

• • Hip and elbow dysplasia: These inheritable conditions affect an Aussie’s hip or elbow joints. Hip dysplasia occurs when the femur doesn’t fit snugly into the hip joint’s pelvic socket, while elbow dysplasia is caused by abnormal bone growth rates in the elbow. Either condition can cause pain and mobility issues, but early testing, medication or surgery can alleviate symptoms.
  • Epilepsy: This is a disorder that causes seizures. Although epilepsy can’t be cured, medication can manage symptoms and help your Aussie lead a full, healthy life.
  • Blindness and deafness: Certain types of Aussies, especially those with double merle genes, are at an increased risk of developing eye defects and deafness. Hearing loss can be treated with medication or surgery, although complete deafness can’t be cured. Common eye defects in Aussies include progressive retinal atrophy and cataracts, which can both result in blindness. PRA can be detected years in advance but can’t be cured, while cataracts can be surgically removed.
  • Hypothyroidism: This occurs when an Aussie’s thyroid gland produces abnormally low hormone levels. Signs of hypothyroidism include lethargy, drooping eyelids, mental dullness, obesity and low energy levels. Daily thyroid treatment can manage the condition and help your dog live a full life.
  • Cancer: Inherited cancers, including lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma, can affect Aussies. Depending on the severity of the cancer and a dog’s age, it can be treated with medication, chemotherapy or surgery.
  • Drug sensitivity: Herding breeds commonly experience sensitivity to certain drugs due to the multidrug resistance gene. This gene produces the protein P-glycoprotein, which removes toxic substances from the body to prevent their harmful effects. No known treatment exists, but you can get your Aussie tested for the gene to take necessary precautions.

In general, scheduling regular veterinary checkups can identify whether your Aussie has a health condition and the best treatment to maintain its well-being.

Australian Shepherd Feeding and Nutrition

Because of their active personalities, Australian shepherds require high-quality food rich in key nutrients to help sustain their energy levels. When choosing a food, check for the following nutrition factors:

• Whole meat: Whole meat contains high-quality proteins essential for an Aussie’s growth and ongoing health. Look for ingredients such as chicken, turkey, beef, lamb or fish. If a label reads meat byproduct, it contains lower-quality processed meat, which can cause gastrointestinal issues and doesn’t offer adequate nutrition.
• Moderate to high level of fat content: Healthy fats, such as fish oil or chicken fat, benefit a variety of bodily functions, including hormone production, vitamin absorption, brain health and skin and coat maintenance. Meanwhile, foods with low fat levels can cause dry, itchy skin and brittle coats.
• Digestible carbohydrates: High-quality carbs from whole grains, fruits and vegetables consumed in moderation can increase your Aussie’s energy levels and help it maintain normal bodily functions. These carbs are found in ingredients such as brown rice, oats, sweet potatoes and carrots. However, avoid certain carbs, including corn or wheat. These can cause digestive issues, including bloating, gas or diarrhea.
• Naturally sourced ingredients: Stay away from foods containing artificial colors, preservatives, fillers or flavors and meat byproducts. These don’t provide adequate nutrition and won’t sustain your Aussie’s active lifestyle. Instead, choose foods with high-quality, natural ingredients.

Helping your Australian shepherd maintain a balanced diet can increase its activity levels and extend its lifespan. As a puppy, your Aussie should eat about 1 to 2.5 cups of dry food divided into three to four daily meals. Adult Aussies should have roughly 1.5 to 2.5 cups of dry food divided into two daily meals. However, exact measurements depend on your dog’s size, build, activity level and metabolism.

Miniature Australian Shepherd: An Overview

A miniature Australian shepherd is commonly referred to as a miniature American shepherd due to its United States origins. Females average around 13 to 17 inches tall, while males fall between 14 and 18 inches. These dogs live for 12 to 13 years and usually weigh between 20 and 40 pounds.

Miniature American shepherds have traits similar to those of standard Australian shepherds. They’re highly trainable, energetic, playful, vigilant and a bit reserved when first meeting new people or dogs. The miniature version also has a medium-length double coat requiring regular brushing. Additionally, it needs high-quality food and moderate levels of exercise to accommodate its energetic, athletic nature.

Because miniature Aussies need ample attention and training, they aren’t ideal for first-time dog owners. They need humans willing to engage in strenuous activities, including hiking, running, playing ball and following agility courses. Overall, their temperament, training requirements and health and nutrition needs rival those of standard Aussies.

Living With an Australian Shepherd: What to Expect

Generally, an Australian shepherd serves as the ideal companion for active individuals or families who can provide adequate training, stimulation, socialization and nutrition. It picks up commands easily, is loyal to its family and excels at tasks and activities.

However, Aussies are wary of strangers, may bark or nip, shed frequently and require ample stimulation and exercise. Consider the following factors before getting an Australian shepherd.

Territorial and Herding Behaviors

Aussies become attached to their families and are generally good with kids and other pets. However, they don’t do well with strangers and may become defensive if unfamiliar people visit the house, which should be considered if you frequently host guests.

Be particularly careful if a guest brings their own pet or child. Because Aussies are herding dogs, they may try herding small animals or children. This behavior typically involves barking, nudging or nipping. Proper training and socialization can alleviate this issue, but you may need to refrain from exposing your dog to too many unfamiliar people or pets at once.

A GPS dog collar monitored by an app on your phone is a tremendous support in allowing your dog to follow its instincts safely while ensuring they stay at a safe distance.

Active Personalities

Australian shepherds need regular exercise and frequent physical and mental stimulation. If you have an outdoorsy or active lifestyle, an Aussie is the perfect companion for hiking, swimming or running. However, if you work long hours or are away from home often, you’ll need to create a stimulating environment to keep your Aussie occupied while you’re busy.

Failure to provide adequate stimulation can cause behavioral issues and impact your pup’s health. Additionally, Aussies benefit from spacious homes with enclosed outdoor areas to expend their energy. They may not be a good fit in smaller apartments or homes with no accessible outdoor spaces.

Grooming Needs

Australian shepherds shed often due to their thick double coat. Although they don’t require frequent haircuts, baths or nail trims, they do need regular brushing to prevent matting and reduce the amount of loose hair infiltrating your home. This can be overwhelming if you don’t have much free time or someone in your household has a fur allergy.

Keep Your Australian Shepherd Active and Safe With Halo Collar

Australian Shepherds  are extremely active dogs, and as a responsible pet owner you want to do everything you can to keep them healthy, active and safe. If you are looking for a versatile way to provide your Aussie with a safe perimeter, and a way to track how much exercise they get, invest in Halo Collar. Halo Collar is a wireless GPS fence with a convenient phone app that allows you to set up a safe perimeter at home, on walks, or nearly anywhere you take your dog.  Shop for your Halo Collar today.