Australian Shepherd Info & Australian Shepherd Breeders

With a gorgeous coat and a steady, friendly temperament, the Australian Shepherd can be a lovely family pet for active households. Bred for work, they are highly valued by stockmen for their versatility, intelligence, and high trainability. They are also excellent search and rescue dogs, disaster and detection dogs, guide, service, and therapy dogs. They are high energy so if not working will need long daily walks, off lead running, and lots of games to keep them physically and mentally healthy and happy. While Aussies are dependable and devoted to family, they can be reserved with strangers. They are good guard dogs and will bark, but should not bite.

Aussies can suffer if they are not kept occupied and chronic boredom can lead to issues.  They will bark, dig holes, destroy gardens and chew anything left in reach.


Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized dog, solid and muscular, with a full or naturally bobbed tail, and varied coat colouration.  Each dog’s coat and eye colour are individual.  To the untrained eye the Aussie resembles a Border Collie, but is slightly larger and has a wider range of coat colours - Black, Blue Merle, Red, Red Merle, all with or without copper and/or white.  Eye color combinations can be brown, hazel, blue and amber.

 

Heritage: Herding

Function: Stock dog, Show, Obedience, Family Companion
 
 

Australian Shepherd Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, affectionate and very active dog with strong herding and guarding instincts and an even disposition.  The breed is attentive, animated, and good-natured.  

 

Personality: Intuitive, affectionate, loyal, enthusiastic
Intelligence: High, easily trained

Skip to Registered Australian Shepherd Breeder list >

 

The ideal owner for an Australian Shepherd

While an Aussie can be a great addition to the family, they are not the breed for everyone.  Their high energy is best suited to those that are very active with an outdoors lifestyle.   They will suit most households, getting along well with children and the elderly.   Families with children should be aware that herding instincts (chasing, nipping, circling) can result in a tendency to ‘herd’’ the children.

 

 

Training & socialisation for Australian Shepherds

Obedience training is important for Australian Shepherds.  This will help you develop a strong relationship with your dog, and ensure the socialisation it needs.  

 

 

Australian Shepherds & children

It is important to teach children to respect your dog, and your dog to respect your children. Generally speaking, dogs tend to see children as siblings, and the dog should never be allowed a higher position than the child. Parents, not children, should be responsible for teaching the puppy and correcting the dog if it gets too rough.

 

 

How much space & exercise do Australian Shepherds need?

Australian Shepherds are full-of-beans, high-energy dogs and need outdoor space to run. Daily walks or runs are a must, and they will enjoy games of fetch or frisbee.  If you don’t keep your Aussie exercised and occupied destructive behaviour can develop so you must be committed to giving the time and attention necessary to expend it's mental and physical energy.  Teaching your Aussie tricks helps to keep them focussed and entertained, while also keeping their minds working.   Australian shepherds have great stamina and move well in all types of terrain which makes them great trail dogs.

 
Activity Level: Requires daily attention and play; moderate regular exercise
 
 

Australian Shepherds & grooming

Aussies are moderate shedders with a medium-long double coat that requires weekly brushing. 
 
Coat: Double coat - downy undercoat with coarser guard hairs.
Grooming: Moderate, weekly grooming, more when seasonally shedding.

 

 

General facts about Australian Shepherds

Average life expectancy: 12-14 years

Aussies live a long time. This is a huge commitment that will last 10 to 15 years or more. Think it through. If they are the breed for you, you will be rewarded with a loyal companion.

 

Height & Weight

Males 20-23 inches; 22-25 kg
Females 18-21 inches; 17-20 kg

It is important to watch the weight of an Aussie as they can become overweight quickly.

 

Potential health issues in Australian Shepherds

In general the Australian Shepherd is a hardy breed, but they do have some diseases that can be inherited.   Responsible breeders will use all available tests before breeding. At a minimum parents must be tested for hip Dysplasia and both parents and pups should have clear eye certificates. 

 

Hip and Elbow Scoring
Canine hip dysplasia (HD) is the most common heritable orthopaedic problem seen in dogs. It affects virtually all breeds, but is particularly problematic in large and giant breeds.  HD develops into a degenerative condition (osteoarthritis) of the hip joints. With Australian Shepherds it is a requirement that breeding pairs are radiographically assessed for the presence of degenerative changes and/or subluxation of the hip.

 

If making enquiries about an Australian Shepherd dog or pup, ask for proof that testing of both parents included an official hipscore (not just a vet check) and current eye clearance by a registered opthamologist. Preferably also an official score for elbows.   It is also good to have tests for the MDR1 drug sensitivity mutation. The Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute Inc reports 32% of Aussies had at least one copy of the gene, being either carriers or affected.  Testing for Collie Eye Anomoly and HSF4 cataract DNA are also recommended.


See The Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics (ASHGI) website for more information and articles by Dr Leos Kral and CA Sharp, a recognised expert in Australian Shepherd genetics. 

 

Australian Shepherd FAQ's

 

Can Australian Shepherds be left alone?

Aussies thrive on company and being with their families.  They don't do well if they are alone for too long or too often without companionship. Leaving them alone can cause an undue amount of stress, and they can become destructive if left alone and confined for too long.  Australian Shepherds can also suffer from separation anxiety which can present as excessive barking, panting or salivating.  

 

How do I exercise my Australian Shepherd?

Australian Shepherds need owners that are committed to giving them lots of exercise as they need to move and run regularly to stay happy and healthy.  If they not being used as a working dog, Aussies require a minimum of 30-60 minutes of exercise a day.  Even up to 2 hours per day is often recommended for this particularly energetic breed.  High intensity activities like running, mountain walking, hiking, skiing and biking are great.  Playing frisbee and fetch are also favourites.  Daily obedience training or competing in herding and agility trials are recommended for Aussies where they excel.  

 

 

If you are a small scale ANKC registered breeder and would like to be listed here, just contact us or follow a few simple steps .

 

We welcome helpful comments and contributions to information about this breed by email or below...

Registered Australian Shepherd Breeders

Acappelia Australian Shepherds - Bendigo, VIC
Dogs
We are a small central Victorian kennel, breeding to preserve and protect the Australian Shepherd breed for those who love them as much as I do. Our ... read more
AdventurAus Australian Shepherds
Dogs
Welcome to AdventurAus Australian Shepherds! We are a small kennel based in suburban Brisbane, dedicated to breeding and raising healthy, ... read more
Alfoxton Dog Centre - Training Classes, Puppy School, Activity Park
Dogs
Training Classes - Puppy School - Behaviour Problems. Registered with Local Council. We cater to families with dogs of all ages and all breeds - ... read more
Alkiralea Australian Shepherds
Dogs
*Waiting list now open for 2023 litter*

Alkiralea is located on 100 acres on the beautiful Mid North Coast of NSW.

Our dogs possess loveable ... read more
Ausdreaming - Australian Shepherd Breeder - Somerville, VIC
Dogs
Ausdreaming is a small kennel situated in Somerville. We bought our first Aussie in 2005. Mazasuka Karnack (Hitch) was a blue merle and he was ... read more
AusFX Australian Shepherds - Gippsland, Vic
Dogs
I have owned Aussies since 1996 and the first AusFX litter was born in 2011. Puppies are raised using Puppy Culture protocols.

Puppies are evaluated ... read more
Blazintails Australian Shepherds
Dogs
We have shared our lives with Australian Shepherds since 1995. We live with a small number of dogs as each dog competes in numerous activities and ... read more
Chamshep Kennels - Belgian, Australian Shepherds Breeder - South East QLD
Dogs
Breeder and exhibitors of all varieties of Australian Shepherds, Belgian Shepherds. We have participated in many aspects of the dog world for over ... read more
Clearun - Australian Shepherd & Saint Bernard Breeder - Buxton, VIC
Dogs
I have owned and shown Australian Shepherds since 1992, imported the first Aussies from the USA in 1992 and obtained the first Conformation ... read more
Crystaleye Australian Shepherds - Australian Shepherd Breeder - Bathurst, NSW
Dogs
Crystaleye Australian Shepherds - Established in 1996. Crystaleye Aussies has been breeding & promoting the Australian Shepherd breed for 20 ... read more
Cuebiyar Aussies - Australian Shepherd Breeder - Hunter Valley, NSW
Dogs
Our aim is to preserve the "Heart & Soul" of the Australian Shepherd for future generations to enjoy. Breeding with Type, Temperament and ... read more
Edensundown - Labrador Retriever & Australian Shepherd Breeder - Bingara, NSW
Dogs
Edensundown Labradors - Breeding Quality Labradors and Australian Shepherds for Temperament and Soundness. Our Dogs are raised in our family ... read more
Euabalong Australian Shepherds
Dogs
We have been involved with Australian Shepherds for over 27 years, and Border Collies before that. We only breed occasionally, generally when wanting ... read more
Gypsylinc Kennels - Australian Sheperds and Papillon Breeder - North East Adelaide, SA
Dogs
We are a small home based Registered breeder of Australian Shepherds and Papillons in North East Adelaide. We enjoy competing in the show and ... read more
Leesway Australian Shepherds - Australian Shepherd Breeder - Glenorie, NSW
Dogs
Leesway Australian Shepherds, the 1st "Aussies" in NSW have competed in all facets of the dog world, most importantly they have excelled as loving ... read more
Myriahill Australian Shepherds - Australian Shepherd Breeder - Moonbi, NSW
Dogs
I have been involved with Australian Shepherds since early 1996. I strive to produce sound, happy dogs that may be used for any purpose that may be ... read more
Ozzstyle Kennels - Australian Shepherd Breeder, NSW
Dogs
We are a small boutique kennel situated in the Wollondilly Shire with experience within the breed of 20 years.

We believe sharing your life with ... read more
Sarsica Australian Shepherds
Dogs
Sarsica Australian Shepherds breeding well rounded family pets, we pride ourselves on finding amazing homes for our Puppys.
read more
Zenderland Australian Shepherds - Margaret River area, WA
Dogs
We strive to breed excellent temperaments, Great bone, substance, wonderful movement and stunning heads. From fully tested parents.
Margaret River ... read more