Australian Shepherd – Breed profile of this Frisbee champ
Featured image by © bigstockphoto.com / scullumber
What is an Australian Shepard?
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd did not in fact originate in Australia. The Australian Shepherd is in fact a lean, hard-working, intelligent American dog. Originally a European breed that was eventually perfected in California, via Australia. Hence the name. They are a popular breed in America with agility and obedience enthusiasts, and are closely associated with the cowboy life, and the rodeo circuit.
Characteristics
Affection Level | High |
Barking Tendency | High |
Exercise Requirements | High |
Friendliness – Adults | High |
Friendliness – Kids | High |
Friendliness – Pets | High |
Intelligence | High |
Playfulness | High |
Shedding | Moderate |
Trainability | High |
Pros and Cons
- The Australian Shepherd is one of the smartest dogs, and can learn anything with good training
- Aussies are sensitive to their owner. They thrive on companionship, and love to play.
- Very energetic and generally eager to please.
- The Australian Shepherd sheds quite a bit.
- Can get destructive and noisy when bored or not exercised enough
- Loves to chase and nip (herd) moving objects, including children, bikes, cars, and other animals
- The breed can be prone to a lot of potential health issues
- Some Australian Shepherds have been known to be stubborn and bossy.
Appearance and Size
Group: Herding Group (AKC)
Height: 20 – 24 inches
Weight: 40 – 70 pounds
The Australian Shepherd is a medium sized ball of exuberant energy. They boast a waterproof undercoat, with a medium length/texture exterior coat that can be straight or wavy, black, blue merle, red or red merle in color.

Temperament
Australian Shepherds have an excellent and steady temperament. They are loyal, loving and versatile workaholics that are exuberantly eager to please the people they love. Aussies have a strong work ethic and exhibit an irresistible impulse to herd anything, including other pets and kids. Aussies bond strongly to their families and can become destructive if left unattended for long periods. They can also be territorial and somewhat overprotective of their family’s property. Early socialization and training is a must.
Grooming
The Australian Shepherd requires regular care and grooming especially shedding season. Generally, they should be groomed at least weekly. During shedding season, an undercoat rake can be used every two or three days to remove the dead hair. Bathing your dog should begin when you first bring your puppy home and as it matures, bathe as needed depending on the environment and activities.
Health
Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs, but they can develop certain issues if not bred correctly. They can be prone to certain health problems including hip dysplasia, deafness, various eye diseases, epilepsy and certain forms of cancer. Check your Aussies ears regularly for wax and debris.

Life Expectancy
Australian Shepherd’s lifespan is around 12-14 Years
5 Fun Facts About Australian Shepherds
- The Australian Shepherd is not actually Australian. The breed originated in Spain, and was developed in the USA
- Australian Shepherds are commonly known to have heterochromia, where they have two different color eyes.
- Aussies became highly popular in the USA when herding bulls and performing tricks at rodeos.
- Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and perform many jobs such as seeing eye dogs, hearing dogs, herding, drug sniffing, and search and rescue!
- Most of them have Merle coats, and often have a naturally short tail
Environment
These dogs are well suited to active families or people who have time to exercise with their dog. The Aussie is not suited for apartment living and generally requires a house with a large, fenced in yard. A well socialized Aussie will make a great companion for many years to come, accompanying you on long walks or hikes. However, your Aussie will fare best with a job to do such as shepherding, or agility training. Sedentary people will not fare well with this dog.
If you’re looking to add an Australian Shepherd to your family, consider adopting one instead. Rescuing an animal is a win-win for all, and you save a life.