Australian shepherds were first used as farm and ranch dogs. They worked with livestock and provided companionship for families while protecting them. Australian shepherds love working and being with their families. They’re a very devoted breed and highly intelligent.
Australian shepherds bond with their owners and family and take their role as guardians seriously. This can cause them to be protective, but also aggressive toward things they perceive as a threat if they’re not properly socialized and trained.
Australian Shepherd Traits
Australian shepherds are strong, loyal, intelligent working dogs. They have the stamina to work all day. Their coats are medium-length and coarse. Most Aussies have a docked or naturally bobbed tail. Their coloring comes in black, red, blue merle, and red merle.
Australian shepherds commonly have eyes of two different colors. They can be any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green. In some cases, your dog may have two eye colors in the same eye. This condition is called heterochromia.
Australian shepherd size. Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs. They’re a little longer than they are tall. They’re well-balanced, with solid muscles.
Male Australian shepherds can reach 20 to 23 inches tall. They’ll typically weigh around 50 to 65 pounds. Females are a little smaller. They get to be about 18 to 21 inches tall and weigh between 40 and 55 pounds.
Australian shepherdtemperament. Aussies are active, protective, friendly dogs that love to please and be loyal to their owners. They also have territorial instincts that can make them naturally possessive of their owners and home.
Australian shepherd lifespan. Healthy, well-cared-for Australian shepherds can live between 12 to 15 years with proper diet and exercise.
Australian shepherd personality. Australian shepherds have long been seen as a tough ranch dog that is the epitome of a cowboy’s herding dog. They look rugged and agile, but they’re also smart, full of energy, and trainable.
Australian Shepherd Care
When it comes to finding the right Australian shepherd for you, first look into reputable breeders. Your dog's health can depend on how they were bred due to genetic predispositions. If you want a purebred Australian shepherd, you'll need to do your research on responsible breeders close to you.
Australian shepherds are a generally healthy breed. This makes them easier to care for with the right amount of love and attention. Even if you do your best to take care of them, though, genetic factors influence the health and longevity of your dog.
Responsible breeders should test for:
- Hip and elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Cataracts
- Certain forms of cancer
You, meanwhile, should routinely check your dog's ears for wax buildup or foreign matter. After the age of two, you should try to brush their teeth as often as possible.
It's also important to brush their coat weekly. They have a waterproof double coat that sheds, especially during certain seasons. You can keep their undercoat free of dead hair and buildup with regular brushing.
Taking your Australian shepherd to obedience training and socializing them early is crucial to their development. A common problem with Aussies is that they display destructive nature if their energy isn't directed through training and play.
Your dog will need high-quality dog food fit for their age and conditions, as Australian shepherds are prone to becoming overweight. It's important to monitor how many calories your dog is eating and keep them at a healthy weight.
Australian Shepherd Health Problems
Though Aussies are healthy, active dogs, there are conditions they can be genetically predisposed to that you should look out for.
Eye problems. Australian shepherds are prone to inheriting or developing different eye conditions. These include:
- Cataracts
- Distichiasis
- Pannus
- Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
Epilepsy. The three types of seizures in dogs are reactive, secondary, and primary. Australian shepherds have a higher risk of inheriting primary epilepsy, making them prone to seizures. They may need medication their whole life to keep their seizures under control. Episodes will typically begin between six months and three years of age.
Hemolytic anemia and thrombocytopenia. These are rare blood diseases that are more common in Aussies. They happen when your dog's immune system starts attacking their red blood cells or platelets. This can make your dog weak, anemic, and lethargic. Their gums will look white or yellow instead of a healthy pink.
Bleeding tumors. Australian shepherds can get a type of bleeding tumor called a hemangiosarcoma. These tumors often form in the spleen but may occur in other organs. These tumors will eventually break open, and internal bleeding will occur. Having their blood tested and an ultrasound performed yearly once your dog becomes a senior can help screen for these tumors.
Lymphoma. Australian shepherds are most commonly afflicted by this type of cancer, which affects their white blood cell count.
Multidrug resistance. This is a genetic defect in gene MDR1. This mutation affects how Australian shepherds process drugs and substances used to treat parasites, diarrhea, and cancer. DNA testing can help identify if your dog is at risk.
What to Consider Before Getting an Australian Shepherd
Before deciding if an Australian shepherd would make a great addition to your life, there are some things you should consider.
Aussies are highly energetic and athletic dogs. They need to get a lot of exercise regularly. The recommended minimum is an area to run around in for an hour or two daily. Fortunately, Australian shepherds share a strong bond with their owners and love going on long walks or hikes.
If you're an outdoorsy person and want a companion, Australian shepherds could be a great match for you. After becoming an adult, they also make great running companions. Just make sure they don't overheat on hot days.
Australian shepherds are attached to their families but are more reserved with strangers. They don't like to accept strangers as friends and don't seek out strangers. They're more selective about whom they want to interact with.
They're also problem-solvers. This means they like to learn new things. They catch on quickly and prefer to be challenged with new tricks and jobs. Giving Australian shepherds the right amount of mental stimulation is as important as maintaining physical activity levels.
Australian shepherds are instinctually prey-driven. They instinctively react to moving objects and want to capture them. They love chasing and fetching. Their prey-driven tendencies become a problem, though, when children, cats, or cars become their targets.
Other Australian shepherd characteristics to keep in mind include how much they bark. They tend to bark and alert you of strangers and other dogs. They’re suspicious of people they don’t know and tend to herd small children.
Their double coat, meanwhile, requires regular grooming unless you want to deal with the hair after it’s been shed.
These dogs can seriously shed. Some owners say their Australian shepherd sheds twice a year, up to six months at a time. However, keeping them groomed helps reduce the amount of hair floating around the house.
While they instinctively display herding tendencies, Australian shepherds are good with children. They have sound temperaments. They’re most recommended for families with an active lifestyle and the space to run around. They need the space, as well as dedication to keep them learning and stimulated so they don’t become destructive.
History of Australian Shepherds
Australian shepherds came from a line of European herders. They first started gaining attention in Europe near the Pyrenees Mountains. A group of indigenous people known as the Basques chose Australian shepherds as their herding dog of choice. Back then, they were known as Pyrenean shepherds.
By the early 1800s, Basques and their shepherd dogs sailed to Australia, searching for rich pasture land for cattle ranching. After their time in Australia, Basque shepherds took their dogs and sailed to California.
California ranchers loved the Basques’ herding dogs, and since they sailed from Australia, the ranchers thought of them as Australian shepherds. This is the name that stuck, and they’ve been a part of cowboy culture since then.
Some legends claim Native Americans called Australian shepherds “ghost eyes” and considered them sacred. This may be because some Australian shepherds have pale blue “ghostly” eyes.
Australian shepherds are versatile and have worked as herders, rodeo performers, therapy dogs, drug detectors, service dogs, and even search-and-rescue dogs.
They are adaptable, loving dogs who just want to make you happy. If you think you can keep up with their activity level needs, they will make great companions. If you're someone who loves the outdoors, an Australian shepherd might be exactly the companion you need on your next hike.
