Australian Shepherd puppies and dogs

Australian Shepherds live between 12 and 15 years. Of course, individual lifespans can vary depending on factors such as genetics, diet, exercise, and overall care. Good genes and a healthy lifestyle can help these dogs reach their senior years, so it’s essential to provide them with proper nutrition, regular exercise, and routine veterinary care to give them the best shot at a long and healthy life.

Australian Shepherds come from the United States, despite their name. The Australian Shepherd was created from a combination of herding breeds in California in the mid-19th century. Their roots are thought to be from herding dogs from the Basque region.

No, Australian Shepherds aren’t from Australia but from the American West. The breed became associated with Basque sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia in the 1800s, and the name “Australian Shepherd” stuck. So, don’t be fooled by the name; they’re as American as apple pie and rodeos.

Australian Shepherds were bred for herding livestock, primarily cattle and sheep. These dogs are known for their incredible intelligence, agility, and herding instincts. They were invaluable working companions for American shepherds and ranchers, particularly in the western United States, where they helped manage and move livestock across vast expanses of land.

Australian Shepherds stop growing by 12 to 16 months of age. However, their bodies may continue to fill out and develop muscle tone until they’re about two to three years old. Keep in mind that individual dogs may have slight variations in their growth rates, so it’s essential to monitor their nutrition and exercise to ensure they develop at a healthy pace.

No, Australian Shepherds are not hypoallergenic. These pups release allergenic proteins found in their dander, saliva, and urine, which can trigger allergies in people who are sensitive to them.

Australian Shepherds are mixed with other breeds such as:

• Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd + Poodle)

• Aussiedor (Australian Shepherd + Labrador)

• Australian Retriever (Australian Shepherd + Golden Retriever)

• Aussalier (Australian Shepherd + Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

There are two types of Australian Shepherds that come in four coat colors and three patterns. In 2015, the Miniature Australian Shepherd was recognized as their own breed, separate from Australian Shepherds. 

Australian Shepherds come in four main coat colors black, blue merle, red, and red merle. In addition, there are four different types of markings and variations for black-colored Aussies (black tri-colored, black and white bi-colored, full black, and black-and-tan. Red Aussies can be tri-colored, red and white, or solid red. There are four types of blue merle Aussies, blue merle tri-color, blue merle and white, blue merle and tan, and solid blue merle.

Yes, Australian Shepherds have tails, but their tails vary in length. Some Australian Shepherds are born with naturally bobbed tails, meaning their tails are very short. Research shows that roughly one in every five Aussies is born with a naturally bobbed tail.

While some dog breeds have specific tail traits that are essential for their work (e.g., pointing in hunting dogs), Australian Shepherds are herding dogs and the absence of a full-length tail actually makes it safer to perform herding tasks.

Miniature Australian Shepherds stand between 13 to 18 inches tall at the shoulder and weigh between 20 to 40 pounds on average. Also known as Mini Aussies, Miniature Australian Shepherds are a smaller version of the standard Australian Shepherd breed and are now considered their own breed.

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs who weigh between 35 to 70 pounds and stand around 18 to 23 inches tall on average. Factors such as genetics, diet, and exercise can influence an Australian Shepherd's size, but these general height and weight ranges provide a good guideline for the breed.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are moderate to heavy shedders. They shed most in the spring when they lose their thick winter coat, but they also shed year-round. Their coat consists of a dense, weather-resistant outer coat and a softer undercoat. 

The thickness of their undercoat will depend on the time of year. It gets thicker in the winter to keep them warm and protect against the elements. They start to shed their coat in the Spring so they can stay cool in the Summer. During their heavy shedding periods, it’ll help to invest in a quality de-shedding tool as this will help keep dead and loose fur off your floor when they are shedding more.

No, you shouldn’t shave Australian Shepherds. Their double coat serves as insulation, protecting them from both heat and cold. Shaving can disrupt this natural insulation and potentially lead to temperature-related issues.

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs with a strong and agile build, well-suited for their herding background. They have a medium-length double coat with white markings and copper points on their face, legs, and chest. Aussies come in a variety of coat colors, but the primary colors recognized in the breed standard are Black, Blue Merle, Red, and Red Merle.

Their most distinctive feature is their almond-shaped eyes, which can be various colors and are sometimes even marbled or split. Their ears are triangular and set high on their head, giving them an alert and attentive expression. Many Australian Shepherds have bobbed tails, though some may have full-length tails depending on their genetics.

A solid red coat is the rarest color for an Australian Shepherd. This color isn’t as popular as the “blue merle” and “red merle” coat colors which are more common and well-recognized.

It’s important to note that the rarity of a coat color should not be the primary consideration when choosing an Australian Shepherd. Instead, focus on finding a healthy dog with a temperament and characteristics that align with your lifestyle and preferences.

Yes, Australian Shepherds bark a lot. They are known for being vocal dogs, and, like most dogs, they tend to bark when playing, at loud noises and intruders. However, they can be discouraged from excessive barking with proper training and exercise.

One way to curb excessive barking is by teaching your Aussie the “speak” and “quiet” cues to let them know when it’s appropriate to bark. Keeping their bodies active and minds stimulated with plenty of exercise can also reduce their tendency to bark.

Yes, Australian Shepherds can be good with other dogs. Their compatibility often depends on each dog’s personality, temperament, and previous socialization. Proper introductions and supervision allow many Aussies to coexist happily with other dogs.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are good dogs for individuals or families willing to invest time in their care, training, and exercise needs. These are good pups for those who can provide them with all the mental and physical challenges they crave.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are easy to train due to their intelligence and willingness to please. They respond to consistent, positive reinforcement and excel in various canine activities such as obedience, agility, and herding trials. 

Their high energy and high intelligence means they need to feel like they are working. It’s not enough to teach your Aussie basic commands and let them be, they’ll want to practice what they’ve learned. Agility training is often great for Aussies because it allows them to use their intelligence to figure out obstacle courses while also getting a good amount of exercise in. When it comes to training your Aussie, the most important thing will be sticking to a schedule and really helping them expend their energy.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are good guard dogs. They’re incredibly loyal and often only accept strangers once they’ve been proven acceptable by their family.

Yes, Australian Shepherds like water. Like any breed, however, individual preferences can vary. Some Aussies take to water easily, whereas others may be more cautious or reserved around water, especially if they haven’t been exposed to it from a young age.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are smart. They are often regarded as one of the smartest dog breeds due to their sharp minds and problem-solving abilities. But being super smart also means they need a lot of mental stimulation and challenges to stay engaged and happy; without mental exercise, they can become bored and potentially exhibit undesirable behaviors.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. These pups are incredibly affectionate, adaptable, intelligent, and devoted. Australian Shepherds’ loyalty makes them excellent watchdogs, and their sense of humor and eager desire to please make them well-suited to families, especially those who understand their dog’s need to direct their energy toward exercise and useful pursuits. If you have an active family that likes to go on hikes and explore, an Australian Shepherd could be perfect for you.

Yes, Australian Shepherds are good with kids. Because they are herding dogs, however, Australian Shepherds may try to herd small children when playing. The instinct to nip at the heels of people to corral them can be halted with bite-inhibition training and by redirecting their instincts towards games or toys.

The Australian Shepherd’s high energy and playful nature make them great playmates for older children. The best thing you can do is to provide them with plenty of socialization as the more they are exposed to children, the less likely they are to herd or nip.

As with any breed, it is recommended that your child is always supervised when interacting with your Australian Shepherd to keep both the child and dog safe.

Australian Shepherds can tolerate the cold weather better than other breeds because their double coat provides good insulation. Whether they “like” the cold, however, varies from dog to dog. Some Australian Shepherds may enjoy the cooler temperatures and even frolic in the snow, while others may prefer to stay cozy indoors when it’s cold outside.

Yes, Australian Shepherds need to be regularly groomed to keep their double coat healthy. These pups require weekly brushings to help prevent the coat from becoming matted. 

Their coat is not difficult to groom, and baths are needed only when they get dirty. Trim their nails as needed, check and clean their ears, and maintain good dental hygiene. Keep an eye on their unique eyes for any issues.

Australian Shepherds are prone to a few diseases, including:

1. Hip Dysplasia: Hip dysplasia is one of the most common skeletal diseases seen in dogs. Hip dysplasia is caused by a joint that has grown abnormally or is misshapen. The abnormal shape prevents the joints and sockets from properly meeting one another, resulting in rubbing and grinding instead of sliding smoothly. 

2. Elbow Dysplasia: Unlike hip dysplasia, where the main problem is joint instability, the abnormalities seen in elbow dysplasia often result in pieces of bone and/or cartilage breaking loose and irritating the joint tissues. Over time, the rubbing from dysplasia can cause a variety of issues, such as pain, lameness and secondary osteoarthritis. Surgery can be done to fix the joint if diagnosed before the onset of arthritis. 

3. Eye problems: These include a detached retina; cataracts, a common eye condition that causes cloudiness in the eye and obstructs vision; distichiasis, abnormal growth of eyelashes on the margin of the eye, resulting in irritation to the eye; collie eye anomaly, a congenital defect that causes abnormalities or unusual changes in the eye and may lead to blindness; progressive retinal atrophy, a progressive degenerative disease affecting the retina that eventually leads to blindness; epiphora, an issue that causes excessive eye watering; and persistent pupillary membranes, a condition in which remnant strands of fetal tissue cross over the iris.

4. Hypothyroidism: Australian Shepherds may also experience hypothyroidism, a condition where the thyroid becomes underactive and does not produce enough body-regulating hormones.

5. Other health issues: Allergies; drug sensitivity; and cancer. Australian Shepherds are also the most common breed to be affected by epilepsy.

If you are rescuing an Australian Shepherd, have them checked out by a vet to see if they have or are prone to getting these diseases so you know what they will be able to handle in terms of activities and exercise.

According to one study, over 31 percent of Australian Shepherds die from cancer. Other causes of death for Aussies include old age, diseases, and epilepsy.

It’s important to note that not all Australian Shepherds will experience these health concerns, and responsible breeding practices can help reduce the risk of hereditary diseases. Regular veterinary care, a healthy diet, exercise, and preventive measures can also contribute to a longer and healthier life for Australian Shepherds.

Australian Shepherds are healthy on the whole, though they do suffer from some genetic health issues such as epilepsy, hip dysplasia, eye disorders, autoimmune diseases, heart disease, and various forms of cancer, including lymphoma, and osteosarcoma.

Regular veterinary check-ups, a nutritious diet, exercise, and preventative measures are essential for Australian Shepherds to live a long and healthy life.

The easiest way to adopt an Australian Shepherd is through a rescue that specializes in Australian Shepherds. A great place to start is by starting a breed search on Adopt a Pet. The search will show you all the available Australian Shepherds in your area.

The cost to adopt an Australian Shepherd is around $300 to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption. In contrast, buying an Australian Shepherd from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Depending on their breeding, they usually cost between $600 and $1,500.