Bandit, the Australian Shepherd, is here to tell you the tricks and quirks of his beloved shepherds:
Heya, I’m Bandit! As an Aussie, I’ve got so much energy to burn! I’m a smarty pants, so I love challenges and puzzles. Teaching me new games and tricks keeps my mind active and sharp. Oh, and this strengthens our bond! Oops, I’m such a sucker for an interactive play session!
🐕 Bandit
Pay great attention, because he’ll bark so much, your head will spin!
When you plan on welcoming an Australian Shepherd into your home, it is essential to make sure you provide the right conditions for this dog.
Temperament & Personality
Being a herding dog, the Aussie’s temper is dynamic and energetic. It is a highly intelligent dog, protective, vigilant, and keen to satisfy its owner. This makes it very loyal and a good watchdog.
It tends to be reserved around strangers and if it doesn’t know otherwise, it may become over-guarding. However, it may adapt well to new environments and people.
It is not an aggressive dog, but its herding instinct gives it a strong desire to protect its family and territory. It may sometimes become too protective.
It is an independent dog, always trying to make its own decisions. It’s important to teach the dog about limits because it will always be tempted to cross boundaries.
If it gets bored, it may engage in destructive behaviors, like chewing objects, digging holes if outside, or barking a lot.
Compatibility with Kids & Other Pets
An energetic and playful dog such as the Aussie needs to be properly introduced to kids of different ages, to promote good behavior and avoid any aggressive behavior.
It needs to learn how to respond to the unpredictable actions of children. If properly trained, the Australian Shepherd will be affectionate, gentle, and protective.
The Aussie gets along well with other dogs and animals, making it suitable for a household with multiple pets. A fun fact is that its herding nature can take over and it may try to herd other animals or even children.
Physical Characteristics
The Aussie is an athletic medium-sized dog. Its coat comes in a broad spectrum of colors and patterns, such as black, white, red, grey, brown, and about any combination of these.
A specific pattern of this breed is merle which is a combination of patches and spots of different colors. The Aussie’s coat usually comes in liver color and grey or blue merle. Research has shown that no two dogs have the same color pattern.
Its coat has a dense, soft, and short undercoat and a wavy and coarse medium-sized outercoat.
Australian Shepherd males stand at about 20-23 inches (~51-59 cm) tall, while females measure around 18-21 inches (~46-53 cm). An adult male weighs between 40-65 pounds (~18-30 kg), while a female between 40-55 pounds (~18-25 kg).
Breeders used to dock this breed’s tails, but this practice is less common and even illegal in some states. Some Aussies are born with bobbed tails. This is a genetic trait inherited from its parents.
Nowadays, many Aussies have a full tail, slightly curved, with long wavy hair.
Another interesting feature is the Australian Shepherd’s eyes. Many Aussies have blue eyes, but they also come in various colors like amber, lemon yellow, light or dark brown, green, and orange. Darker individuals may have black eyes.
Obedience, Trainability & Intelligence
Such an active dog is easy to train, due to its intelligence, active nature, and willingness to serve and please.
The Aussie is known for its ability to solve problems, and will quickly learn and master a variety of tricks and commands. Basic obedience training starts with fundamental commands like “sit”, “stay” or “heel”.
It’s good behavior is encouraged by using positive reinforcement and rewards. It will appreciate puzzle games, toys, and exercises that nurture its herding instinct as well as stimulate it mentally. Its native intelligence makes this dog able to learn and execute pretty much any command, with proper training.
Australian Shepherds perform admirably in competitions that test agility, displaying both speed and dexterity.
It is important to know that the Aussie’s herding instinct may sometimes exacerbate, thus it will try herding people or other animals. It’s important to discourage such inappropriate behavior and make the dog understand what you want from it.
Here are some training milestones for this magnificent dog:
| Age | Suggested training |
|---|---|
| 8-10 weeks | House training |
| 10-16 weeks | Basic obedience and socialization |
| 4-6 months | Leash training and simple commands |
| 6-8 months | Advanced training and herding basics |
Energy Level & Exercise Needs
The Aussie is a dog that simply adores physical stimulation (like running) and agility exercises. If you don’t plan on using this fellow as a service dog, then you’ll have to commit to a comprehensive exercise routine, of at least 2 hours daily.
Games like fetch, flyball or agility courses will surely keep the dog engaged positively.
It won’t mind a long walk either, followed by a frisbee game.
The Aussie’s intelligence gives it the need for a job or a task. The person who trains it needs to understand this and put it into practice. Activities like agility training or frisbee playing keep the dog mentally and physically satisfied and will prevent potential behavior issues.
Australian Shepherd Puppies
If you’re truly interested in adopting an Aussie puppy, start searching only for reputable breeders. It may not come cheap, but you’ll surely find a puppy genetically tested for conditions such as hip dysplasia or other breed-related conditions.
These puppies are the embodiment of joy and energy. They need early training, to grow into well-behaved adults. As soon as you bring it home, you must make sure it gets socialized to other animals (if you have a multi-pet household), children, and the space it’s going to live in.
As a puppy, it’ll display independence and it will try to exceed limits, so be careful to guide it around.
They need a lot of space to play and roam around. We don’t recommend adopting this breed if you are currently living in an apartment, because it will get bored easily and become destructive.
Lifespan, Health Issues & Nutrition
The Australian Shepherd has an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years. Like any other purebred dog, it is more predisposed to certain health conditions. Many Aussies can develop eye conditions, such as collie eye anomaly or cataracts.
It is also predisposed to develop primary epilepsy and hypothyroidism. Some Aussies of certain colors may develop deafness because their inner ear lacks certain cells that help translate air vibrations caused by sound, into electrical impulses that travel to the brain.
Regular veterinary check-ups and an open eye for any behavior alteration will allow you to care for your dog and keep it safe and healthy for a long time.
A healthy dog with a high energy level needs a diet formulated to support its active style. A super premium or premium diet, specially formulated for active, medium-sized dogs will provide your Aussie with the needed amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins & minerals, and fiber.
Make sure the food has no filler carbohydrates, and is mostly animal protein from a single source, especially if your dog has allergies. Also, look for dog foods rich in Omega-3 and probiotics.
The optimal proportion for a puppy is three meals a day, while adult dogs require only two.
Grooming Needs
The Shepherd’s double fur requires regular grooming, especially if your dog spends a lot of time outdoors. This will ensure the removal of debris, dirt, and any vegetable bristles that may get caught in the dog’s fur.
The Australian Shepherd is a heavy shedder, so if it spends time indoors, daily brushing (using a brush with metal or wire bristles) is a must.
Keep bathing minimal, approximately once every three months. Frequent washing will make your dog smell because the natural skin oils are removed and the skin is forced to produce more. It also makes the dog prone to skin irritations and allergies. Always use specially formulated shampoo for dogs with wavy medium coats.
The fur around the ears, feet, and tail may need occasional trimming. Don’t forget to check the nails to prevent overgrowth, and it’s ears to prevent ear infections.
Adoption & Rescue Options
Adopting an Australian Shepherd can be a fulfilling way to provide a home to a dog in need. If you’ve come this far, you have options like rescue organizations, shelters, or breed-specific clubs:
- https://www.australianshepherdsfurever.org/ (Nationwide)
- https://www.aussierescuesocal.com/ (Southern California)
- https://www.ntxaussierescue.org/ (Texas)
- https://www.lonestaraussierescue.org/ (Texas and neighboring states)
- https://www.aussierescuemn.com/ (Minnesota)
- https://aussierescuesandiego.org/ (California as the main foster residence)
Rescue organizations specialize in the rehoming of this particular breed. Their goal is finding the right match between dog and owner, to ensure a happy and lasting relationship.
You may find mixed or purebred Australian Shepherds at local animal shelters. Adopting a dog from such a place can be faster than with rescue organizations. Some of these dogs are in search of foster or permanent homes.
If you’re not sure which dog is best for you, you may try to foster an Aussie. You will be able to get to know this breed better and see if it fits your home and lifestyle.
There are some breed-specific clubs you can look into, if you search for your local area. This type of organization will direct you to a reputable breeder to find just the right puppy, or to rescue organizations to look for a stray.
Australian Shepherd Cost of Ownership
If you are considering buying or adopting an Australian Shepherd, think long-term. If you opt for a puppy, there will be the purchase cost, followed by training costs, early vaccinations, deworming, parasite control, and microchipping.
Add a one-time cost for spaying or neutering and genetic testing, which can go up to $1000. An Aussie puppy’s price ranges from $400-$1,500. Dogs with pedigree exceed $2,500.
An adult dog adopted from a shelter or another owner may already be microchipped and neutered, so that’s $300 saved.
Annual costs include food (roughly $250-$700), vaccines, and other preventative medication, around $200-$400.
Don’t forget about accessories, such as leashes, collars, dog beds, and toys, that can cost around $500.
For unexpected veterinary costs, you may look for pet insurance. The price ranges from one company to another so we can’t provide accurate estimates.
Interesting Facts & Quirks
When you hear the name “Australian Shepherd”, you may think of Steve Irwin and his home country. But, in fact, this dog breed comes from the Basque Region of Spain.
The Aussie is America’s #1 cowboy, rodeo, and livestock-herding dog. However, it’s quite timid when it comes to meeting new people and going to new places.
Some Australian Shepherds that have merle coloration can be or become deaf.
There is a coat color rare in Aussies, called Red Tri. This is a combination of three colors, red, white and copper. This color combo is genetically determined, with the “black” gene missing. Many breeders try to obtain this specific coat. It is different from merle coloration. These red puppies are more expensive than other colors.
Because this dog always loves having something to do, it is prone to anxiety separation. This may lead to excessive barking or howling, destructive behaviors like chewing and digging, and obsessive-compulsive behaviors like pacing or itching.
The Aussie is a very loud dog. Animal herding is a loud business, so to lead livestock, you need to make yourself heard. The Aussie may sometimes forget where it is and will surely whine, bark and growl more than any other dog.
Miniature Australian Shepherds do exist! In addition to the standard-sized Aussie, breeders have created a small version of this dog. The breed’s actual name is The Miniature American Shepherd.
Australian Shepherd Dog Names
Think of the finest qualities of a cowboy dog, when picking a name. Popular names are tied to its cool personality and working-dog roots, like Ace, to show its agility, or Blaze, Skye for its blue eyes, and Indiana or Ranger, for its adventurous side.
You may consider its unique coat and name your dog River, Dakota, Bear, Ginger or even Moose.
Whatever name you pick for your Shepherd, make sure it’ll be appropriate for an adult dog as well as a puppy.
Breed History and Origin
The Aussie as we know it today was developed in the US, in the 19th century. Its origins are with the sheepdog breeds from northwest Spain and collies imported from Australia and New Zealand.
The breed was officially recognized in 1957 with the formation of the Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA). Today’s breed description and standard were established in 1977.
