Love Australian Shepherds? You’ll Be Obsessed With These 10 Aussie Mixes

Australian Shepherd mixes are commonly available for adoption through animal shelters and rescue groups. When matched with the right family, Aussie mixes are some of the best dogs around, fitting in great with active individuals, couples, and families with kids. 

And if you like Australian Shepherds, you’ll love an Aussie mix. Let’s find out what makes this mix special, and the families most suited to care for an Aussie mix.   

Why Aussie mixes are good dogs

Aussie mixes are great choices for people who love dogs with enough energy and personality to join them on active adventures, such as hiking, camping, and jogging. If you’re an outdoorsy type who likes to move and explore, an Aussie mix might be the dog for you.

Although each Aussie mix is unique, you can take a good guess as to how they might look and act based on their parent breeds. All Aussie mixes have one breed in common: the Australian Shepherd. Australian Shepherds are a friendly and steady breed, known for being good with kids, which makes them great in active families. Lively and athletic, Aussies are super smart and love to please their people. These working dogs were bred to herd alongside shepherds, so they form close bonds with their people and pick up on training quickly. They have lots of energy — something you can put to good use through agility and flyball training, or you can simply explore the great outdoors together. 

Aussies are medium- to large-sized dogs, generally weighing between 40 and 65 pounds. 

The Aussie’s straight or wavy, medium-length double coat is wash and wear, no trimming or professional grooming required. As a bonus: Aussies don’t shed as much as you might think. They also aren’t known for drooling and tend to be fairly clean dogs, as long as you give them the occasional bath. 

10 Aussie mixes you’ll love

So, what will you get with an Aussie mix? Well, that depends. It is possible for a relatively even blend of both parent breeds’ traits. But more than likely, an Aussie mix won’t embody a 50-50 genetic mix. Some may look and act a lot like Australian Shepherds. But for others, their non-Aussie half might seem more dominant. Knowing a bit about each breed can help you make an educated guess about how a specific Aussie mix will look and act. Still, you should expect each Aussie mix to be their own unique and special dog. 

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1. Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd and Poodle)

Aussiedoodles come in a range of sizes depending on whether the Aussie is mixed with a Miniature Poodle or Standard Poodle. Contrary to popular belief, Aussiedoodles are hypoallergenic: Depending on how much Poodle is in the mix, Aussiedoodles might inherit a low-shedding curly coat (fewer allergens), or they may have an Aussie-like coat or a wiry-looking coat (more allergens). Poodles are energetic, so this mix will likely be lively. But sometimes, Aussiedoodles have a bit less energy than purebred Aussies. Both breeds are highly intelligent, so training should be a snap.

Traits

• Size: 15 to 35 pounds (Mini) and 40 to 70 pounds (Standard)

• Coat: Curly, wavy, straight, or wiry

• Activity level: Medium to high

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2. Texas Heeler (Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog)

A Texas Heeler is a hybrid of two hard-working herding breeds, so this mix will have intense drive and energy. A pup like this won’t be content sitting around, and would do best with someone who can put them to work, whether herding on a ranch or training for a high-energy dog sport like agility. Australian Cattle Dogs are smaller than Aussies, so this mix will likely be medium-sized. If their coat is short and straight like the Cattle Dog’s, expect a bit more shedding.

Traits

• Size: 35 to 50 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: High

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3. Border-Aussie (Australian Shepherd and Border Collie)

This is another combo of two herding breeds. The Border Collie is more intense and energetic than the Aussie, so this mix would require a level up in activity and mental stimulation. Border Collies are the smartest dog breed, and the Aussie is no slacker in the brains department either — so be prepared to provide abundant daily exercise and mental engagement for this mix.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 60 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: High

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4. Ausky (Australian Shepherd and Husky)

An Australian Shepherd–Husky Mix unites two breeds known for their athleticism and endurance. Bred to pull sleds over long distances, Siberian Huskies are the marathon runners of the dog world. An Ausky will likely require extensive daily exercise to be happy. So if you’re looking for a jogging partner, this could be the Aussie mix for you. Expect this pup to be medium to large in size, with a short- or medium-length double coat.

Traits

• Size: 35 to 60 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: High

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5. Aussiedor (Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever)

Friendly and gentle, both the Labrador Retriever and the Australian Shepherd have earned reputations for being good with kids, so this mix could be a great match for families with children. Energy levels are sure to be high, but daily walks and opportunities for off-leash running should keep an Aussiedor happy. Labs are typically larger than Aussies, so this mix might be medium-sized like an Aussie or large like a Lab. The coat will likely be on the shorter side, and shedding is highly probable.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 80 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: High

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6. Aussie-Pit (Australian Shepherd and Pit Bull)

The Australian Shepherd and Pit Bull are popular breeds, which means you’ll likely come across many Aussie-Pits during your adoption journey. Physically, the Pit Bull looks quite different from the Australian Shepherd, which can lead to a variety of unique body types and coat lengths. Although Pit Bulls have plenty of energy, they are somewhat calmer than the Aussie, which could translate into a mellowing out in the exercise department.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 60 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: Medium to high.

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7. Australian Retriever (Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever)

Like the Aussiedor, there’s an excellent chance that an Australian Retriever will be great for families thanks to the Golden Retriever’s friendly, even temperament. Golden Retrievers are smart and love to please their pet parents, so this mix should be easy to train and live with. Though Goldens can be high-energy, some are more laid-back, so an Australian Retriever might not need quite as much exercise as some other Aussie mixes.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 75 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: Medium to high

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8. Australian Catahoula (Australian Shepherd and Catahoula)

This mix is often found in the Southeastern United States, where the Catahoula Leopard Dog is more common. With the herding instincts of the Aussie and the hunting instincts of the Catahoula, this mix will do best when given a job — whether working on a ranch or farm, hunting, or competing in a dog sport like agility. Some Catahoulas are quite large, so this mix might be very strong, with a big personality to go along with it.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 95 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: High

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9. Auggie (Australian Shepherd and Corgi)

The Aussie and Corgi are both herding breeds with more traits in common than not. But there are two specific things this mix could possibly inherit from their Corgi parent: very short legs and a bobtail. Corgis are smaller than Aussies, so an Auggie will probably be small- to medium-sized with an athletic build, making this a good choice for people who like smaller dogs. Active families with kids will enjoy the playful energy of this Aussie mix.

Traits

• Size: 20 to 45 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: Medium to high

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10. German Australian Shepherd (Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd)

The German Australian Shepherd proves once again that two herding breeds are better than one. Both breeds are highly active and intelligent, and the German Shepherd also adds loyalty and a protective nature to the mix. This pup is good for active individuals and families looking for a larger dog who can serve as an effective deterrent to would-be intruders. They can get quite large if they inherit the German Shepherd’s bigger frame, but because their overall appearance is highly variable, this mix is sure to be one of a kind.

Traits

• Size: 40 to 90 pounds

• Coat: Straight or wavy

• Activity level: Medium to high

Adopting an Aussie mix

The above are just a few examples of the wonderful selection of Australian Shepherd mixes you’ll find at animal shelters and through rescue groups. Each Aussie mix is special, unique, and can make an incredible pet when matched with the right family. To start looking for an Aussie mix to adopt, use a pet adoption site like Adopt a Pet to search for Aussie mixes in your area. Adopting an Aussie mix typically requires a small adoption fee, which covers the costs of caring for the pet before adoption.

Commonly asked questions

How big do Aussie mixes get?

Aussie mixes come in a wide range of sizes depending on their breed heritage. Aussie mixes can be as small as 20 pounds and as large as 90 pounds or more, with many sizes in between.

What Australian Shepherd mix does not shed?

An Australian Shepherd mixed with a low-shedding breed, such as a Poodle or Portuguese Water Dog, might not shed if they inherit the curly coat of the low-shedding parent. However, many Australian Shepherd mixes shed moderately or heavily, depending on the breeds in the mix. 

What health problems do Husky Aussie mixes have?

Husky Aussie mixes can have health problems common to the parent breeds, including hip dysplasia, eye diseases, thyroid problems, epilepsy, and multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1). However, many Husky Aussie mixes end up being healthy with few concerns. 

How long do Aussie mixes live?

How long Aussie mixes live depends on their parent breeds as well as the health of the individual dog. Australian Shepherds have an average lifespan of 12 to 15 years.

What is the best mix with an Australian Shepherd?

It’s impossible to single out the best Australian Shepherd, because there are so many wonderful Aussie mixes out there. Ultimately, the best Aussie mix is the dog who fits well into your family and lifestyle.