Australian Shepherd
About the Australian Shepherd
Temperament
Physical Characteristics
| Size Category | Medium (25-50 lbs) |
|---|---|
| Height | 18-23" |
| Weight | 40-65 lbs |
| Coat Type | Double |
| Coat Length | Medium |
| Colors | |
| Hypoallergenic | No |
Care Requirements
Exercise Needs
Very High (90+ min/day)
90 minutes per day recommended
Grooming
Regular - 2-3x/week
Mental Stimulation
★★★★★Needs plenty of mental challenges
Drooling
★★★★★Living Conditions
Cost of Ownership
| Purchase Price | $800-$2,000 |
|---|---|
| Annual Cost | $1,500/year |
Costs vary based on location, breeder, and individual needs. Annual costs include food, veterinary care, grooming, and supplies.
Health Considerations
Like all breeds, Australian Shepherds may be prone to certain health conditions:
Regular veterinary check-ups and proper care can help prevent or manage many health issues.
Best For
- Families with Children
- Active Owners
- Guard Dog
May Not Be Ideal For
- Apartment Living
- Long Work Hours Away
- Sedentary Lifestyles
Guides for your Australian Shepherd
The story behind the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd was developed in the western United States rather than Australia, taking its name from imported sheep and the Australian-associated herding dogs that accompanied flocks arriving through the 1800s. Basque shepherds moving between Europe, Australia and the American west are commonly credited with bringing collie-type dogs that were then crossed with other working stock on American ranches. Selection was entirely practical, favouring dogs that could gather, drive and hold sheep and cattle across open country and mountain range. Popularity spread through rodeo and western performance circuits in the mid-1900s, where trick-trained Aussies drew crowds. Breed clubs and registries formalised the standard through the later twentieth century, with major-registry recognition arriving in the 1990s. It is now a widespread companion, sport and working dog.
Originally bred for: Herding, Droving, Farm work. You can trace how working roles shaped today’s breeds across our dog guides.
Feeding a Australian Shepherd
An active herding build does well on a quality adult food matched to real workload, and treats used heavily in training should be counted against meals rather than added on top. Puppies benefit from steady growth, and the abundant coat easily hides weight gain from casual inspection.
Watch for: No universal breed-wide food intolerance is documented, though itchy skin, ear irritation and paw licking appear regularly across herding breeds. Separately, the breed is known for sensitivity to certain medications, one more reason to route diet and supplement decisions through a veterinarian.
Mealtime extras: training treats worth keeping in your pocket. Everything else lives in our dog nutrition and feeding hub.
Living with a Australian Shepherd
Day to day, the basics matter most: how much exercise your dog needs, how often to get out for a walk, and how much sleep is normal.
For play and enrichment, browse our favorite dog toys and interactive toys for rainy days.
Gear that fits the breed makes life easier: a well-sized dog bed, a properly sized crate.
Raising a puppy? Work through crate training and the teething timeline — or see how old your dog is in human years with our dog age calculator.