Is the Australian Shepherd a good family dog?
Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherds are medium size dogs with a huge amount of energy and drive. They are very intelligent dogs who love having things to do and will become bored if they don’t get sufficient stimulation and activity. Suited to active families, they are very loyal and affectionate to their people but tend to be reserved initially with strangers who are not part of their family.
| Recommended for | Active families |
| Breed Classification | Working dogs |
| Other names | Aussie |
| Lifespan | 12-15 years |
| Size | Medium |
| Temperament | Protective, alert, caring, eager to please |
| Intelligence | Very high: exceptionally intelligent, quick learners that thrive on training and problem-solving |
| Tendency to bark | Moderate: alert and watchful, and may bark at visitors, excitement or unfamiliar activity |
| Maintenance Level | High exercise, training and enrichment needs, medium grooming needs |
| Health Risk | Australian Shepherds are generally healthy but predisposed to hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disease, epilepsy, MDR1-related drug sensitivity and congenital deafness. |
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Australian Shepherd personality and temperament
Australian Shepherds are intelligent, active and highly people-oriented dogs that tend to form close bonds with their families. They are usually affectionate and eager to be involved in everyday activities, although some can be reserved when first meeting unfamiliar people.
Originally developed as versatile working dogs, Aussies retain strong herding and guarding instincts and generally thrive when given plenty of physical exercise, training and mental stimulation. Early socialisation can help them become confident and well-adjusted around different people, animals and environments.
Australian Shepherds with kids and other pets
Well-socialised Australian Shepherds can make affectionate family dogs and can live successfully with children, dogs and other pets. Because they retain strong herding instincts, however, some may try to chase, circle or herd moving children and animals.
Training can help redirect these behaviours, and interactions with young children should always be supervised. Care should also be taken around roads and moving objects such as bicycles and cars, which can trigger chasing behaviour in some Aussies.
Australian Shepherd training and exercise
Australian Shepherds are exceptionally energetic, athletic dogs with very high exercise and mental stimulation needs. Most healthy adults benefit from around 1½ to 2 hours of physical activity each day, alongside training, play and other mentally challenging activities. Walks, running, hiking, swimming, fetch and dog sports such as agility, flyball, obedience and herding can all provide useful outlets for their energy.
Aussies are highly intelligent and generally respond extremely well to positive reinforcement-based training. Their working background also makes them independent problem-solvers, so varied training sessions, new skills, puzzle toys and scent games can help keep them engaged.
Early socialisation and recall training are particularly important because some Australian Shepherds have a strong instinct to chase or herd moving animals, people or vehicles. High-impact exercise and long-distance running should be avoided while puppies are still growing.
| Energy level | Very high: highly energetic working dogs |
| Exercise requirements | Very high: Around 1½–2 hours per day for most healthy adults, plus mental enrichment and training |
Common health issues for Australian Shepherds
What do Australian Shepherd owners claim for the most?
Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they can be predisposed to several inherited conditions, including:
- Hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia are developmental joint conditions that can cause pain, lameness and arthritis. Hip dysplasia results from a combination of genetic and environmental factors, and screening breeding dogs can help reduce the risk.
- Inherited eye conditions include progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), collie eye anomaly (CEA), hereditary cataracts and iris coloboma. These conditions vary in severity and may cause anything from minor abnormalities to significant vision loss. Eye screening and genetic testing are available for some conditions.
- Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterised by recurring seizures. A hereditary component is suspected in Australian Shepherds, although there is currently no simple genetic test that identifies every dog at risk.
- MDR1-related drug sensitivity is caused by a variant of the MDR1/ABCB1 gene that makes affected dogs unusually sensitive to certain medications. A DNA test can determine whether an Australian Shepherd carries the variant, and owners should share the result with their veterinarian so appropriate drugs and doses can be selected.
- Congenital deafness can occur in Australian Shepherds and is particularly associated with dogs carrying two copies of the merle gene. Double-merle dogs are also at increased risk of serious eye abnormalities.
Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.
How to choose the right insurance for your Australian Shepherd
When comparing cover for your Australian Shepherd, look for:
Cover for common Australian Shepherd conditions:
Check that the policy covers conditions Australian Shepherds can be prone to, including common health issues.
Cover for hereditary conditions:
No exclusions for hereditary or congenital conditions⑅.
Flexible cover options:
Options to adjust your annual benefit limit, reimbursement rate and excess.
Bow Wow Meow's Nose-to-Tail Cover offers flexible options for your Australian Shepherd, with cover for accidental injuries, illnesses and hereditary conditions⑅. Get a quick quote for cover that suits your Australian Shepherd and your budget.
Australian Shepherd feeding and nutrition
Australian Shepherds should be fed a complete and balanced diet appropriate for their age, body size, health and activity level. Highly active working or sporting Aussies may require more energy than less active companion dogs.
Monitor your dog’s body condition and adjust portions and treats as needed to maintain a healthy weight. Speak to your vet if you have concerns about your Aussie’s diet, growth or weight.
Australian Shepherd care and grooming
Australian Shepherds have a medium-length, weather-resistant double coat that sheds throughout the year and more heavily during seasonal coat changes. Weekly brushing is usually sufficient to remove loose hair and prevent tangles, with more frequent brushing useful during periods of heavy shedding.
They generally only need bathing when dirty, along with routine nail, ear and dental care. Their double coat should not normally be shaved, as it helps protect them from both heat and cold.
Size, appearance and coat of Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, athletic and well-balanced dog, slightly longer than tall and built for stamina and agility. Some Aussies are born with naturally bobbed tails, while others have full-length tails.
Their weather-resistant double coat is medium in length and may be straight or slightly wavy. The four recognised base colours are blue merle, black, red merle and red, with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points. Merle coats can become darker as the dog matures.
Australian Shepherd eyes may be brown, blue or amber, and some dogs have two differently coloured eyes or more than one colour within the same eye.
| Weight range | Males: 23–29 kg; Females: around 18–25 kg |
| Height range | Males: 51–58.5 cm; Females: 45.5–53.5 cm |
| Colours | Blue merle, black, red merle and solid red with or without white markings and tan points |
| Coat length | Medium |
Breed history of Australian Shepherds
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd is an American-developed breed rather than an Australian one. Its exact early ancestry is not completely documented, although various European herding dogs accompanied shepherds and imported sheep to the western United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries. Some of these sheep and shepherds arrived via Australia, which is thought to have contributed to the breed’s misleading name.
Livestock producers in the western United States developed the Australian Shepherd into a versatile farm and ranch dog capable of working both sheep and cattle. The breed became particularly well known after World War II through rodeos, horse shows, films and television, while continuing to work on farms and ranches.
Today, Australian Shepherds continue to work livestock and also participate successfully in activities such as obedience, agility, flyball, search and rescue and assistance work.
Explore related breeds
Australian Shepherd facts!
- The Aussie was known by a variety of names including the Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, Californian Shepherd, Spanish Shepherd and Blue Heeler.
- The Miniature American Shepherd may look like a smaller Aussie, but it is recognised as a separate breed.
- Some Australian Shepherds are born with naturally short tails, which has helped earn them the affectionate nickname “wiggle butts”.
- Australian Shepherds can have heterochromia, meaning one eye may be a different colour from the other.
- Aussies like to herd whenever they can so if you are running with your Aussie expect to be herded.
- The average number of puppies for an Australian Shepherd litter is seven but it can range from six to nine puppies.
Summary
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, energetic medium-sized herding dog with a strong drive to work and learn. Loyal and affectionate with its family, it loves having tasks to perform and can become bored without enough activity and stimulation.
Australian Shepherds are best suited to active families that can provide regular exercise, training and mental challenges. They may initially be reserved with strangers, while their alert nature and close attachment to their people can make them watchful companions.
FAQs about the Australian Shepherd
They can be excellent family dogs for active households, but they need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation and may display herding behaviour around children or other pets.
High. They need plenty of daily exercise, including walks, active play and mental stimulation, with opportunities for more vigorous activity where appropriate.
Yes. They are highly intelligent and capable learners that usually respond very well to consistent, reward-based training and regular mental challenges.
They are generally low to moderate or moderate barkers, although barking can increase with boredom, excitement, anxiety or unfamiliar activity.
Yes. They can shed heavily, particularly at certain times of year, and regular brushing is important during seasonal coat changes.
They are generally better suited to homes with more space because of their size, energy level or working and guarding instincts, although individual circumstances vary.
They often live well with children and other pets, but some may try to herd, chase or nip at moving family members, particularly when young.
Potential health concerns include hip and elbow dysplasia, inherited eye disease, epilepsy and MDR1 drug sensitivity.
No. Despite their name, Australian Shepherds were developed as a distinct working breed in the western United States. Their name is thought to relate to sheep, shepherds or working dogs that reached America via Australia, although the breed’s precise early ancestry is not fully documented.
No. The recognised smaller breed is the Miniature American Shepherd, which is considered a separate breed from the Australian Shepherd.
MORE INFORMATION
Australian Working Dog Recue: http://www.workingdogrescue.com.au/
Australian Shepherd Association of NSW: http://www.australianshepherds.org.au/
Australian Shepherd Club of VIC: http://www.australianshepherd.org.au/
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