Australian Shepherd
A versatile, high-energy herding dog that loves its family, learns fast and needs daily work for body and mind.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 51–58 cm · Females 46–53 cm
- Weight
- Males 25–32 kg · Females 18–25 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Exercise
- 90–120 min a day
- Grooming
- A few times a week
- Coat
- Double coat, medium
- Colours
- Blue merle, Red merle, Black, Red, Tricolour
- Bred for
- Herding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- United States
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 342 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
- Kennel Prærievind (Viborg, Midtjylland)
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 5/5 – Very high |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 4/5 – High |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Open to strangers | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 5/5 – Very high |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 5/5 – Very high |
| Prey drive | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Watchful and protective | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 4/5 – High |
| Grooming effort | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Suits apartment living | 1/5 – Very low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- are active and enjoy dog sports
- want a dog that loves to train
- have time for daily exercise
Think twice if you …
- want a low-energy dog
- dislike dog hair
- have little time for training
Care
Temperament
Energetic, eager and affectionate with family, sometimes reserved with strangers. It is protective of its people and home. It has a strong herding instinct and likes to keep everything in order.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour and a half of activity daily, including training or games. Agility, herding, frisbee, obedience and hiking all suit it.
Grooming
Brush the medium-length coat a few times a week and more during seasonal shedding. Trim around feet and ears for neatness.
Training
Very trainable and motivated by play and food. Give it structure and teach it to relax as well as to work.
Health
Hip and elbow dysplasia, hereditary cataracts, epilepsy and MDR1 drug sensitivity are known in the breed, and merle-to-merle matings risk deafness and eye defects. Ask the breeder for the parents' hip, elbow, eye and DNA results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
DNA tests
- MDR1 (ABCB1)
- HSF4 (hereditary cataract)
- PRA (prcd)
- CEA
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd was developed on ranches in the western United States during the 19th and 20th centuries. Its ancestors probably included herding dogs that arrived with sheep imports, some via Australia. It became popular through rodeos, horse shows and films.
Aussies are affectionate, playful and closely tied to their people. They are quick learners and excel in many dog sports. They need a lot of exercise and mental work, and without it they can become restless, vocal or start herding children. With an active family that enjoys training, they are lively, loyal companions.
Did you know?
The Australian Shepherd is an American breed: its name likely comes from sheep and dogs imported to the US from Australia.