Australian Shepherd

The name Australian Shepherd is a bit of a misnomer—the dogs didn’t originate in Australia but came to America via the Land Down Under. There are several theories on the dog’s origins, one of which centers around the Basque people who settled in Australia with their sheepdogs in the 1800s. They relocated to the U.S. and brought sheepdogs with them, and American farmers and shepherds gave them the name. 

The dogs excelled under the rugged terrain of the American West. They kept a low profile until the 1950s when they became popular thanks to the rodeo, where the dogs would perform and herd bulls.

If you’re active, energetic, love training, and don’t mind dog hair, the Australian Shepherd can be a good fit. Even better if you have a working farm where they can herd!

Highly active, the Australian Shepherd dog breed needs a lot of physical exercise and mental stimulation to keep them tired and happy. They can become training junkies, learning new tricks quickly and effortlessly.

The Aussie Shepherd needs a fenced-in yard or access to a variety of walks to keep their noses and minds active. They love free running and training, so space to do both is preferable. They do best in the suburbs or the countryside.

An Australian Shepherd has a weather-resistant coat that’s medium length. There’s feathering on the back of the legs and around the face, oftentimes thicker on male dogs. Brushing several times a week will keep the coat healthy and tangle-free, and you might have to do it more often during shedding seasons. These dogs love the water and mud, so grooming might become a frequent activity.

The Australian Shepherd is highly trainable, enjoys learning, and learns incredibly fast. They respond best to positive reinforcement and the sky's the limit on what they can achieve—including potential bad habits. Early socialization of Australian Shepherd Dogs and puppies is important, as is recall, leash walking, and a “settle” or “quiet” command.

Older children who like training and walks will enjoy life with an Aussie. Smaller children are not the best fit for this breed as they have a desire to herd, which might include toddlers.

The cost of an Australian Shepherd from a breeder is significantly more than the cost of adopting one from a local shelter or rescue. The adoption fee usually covers additional items such as spaying or neutering, vaccines, and microchipping.