Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd dog

Intelligent, energetic American herding dog with a strong drive to work.

Size Weight Height Lifespan
Medium 40 - 65 lbs 18 - 23 inches 12 - 15 years
(These are estimates and may vary.)

Origin: United States



Own a Australian Shepherd? Share what activities they enjoy to help other dog owners.

Running Digging Swimming Exploring Playing with Toys Obedience Training Tracking Herding Fetch Hiking Socializing Tug Of War Frisbee Chewing Agility Training Cuddling Guarding Hunting

Know a Australian Shepherd? Share their personality traits to help other dog owners.

Clever Protective Affectionate Stubborn Confident Fearless Friendly Docile Energetic Calm Patient Aggressive Gentle Sociable Adaptable Playful Independent Clever Agile Loyal

May be a good fit if you:

  • Want a dog that is generally responsive to consistent, positive training.
  • Are looking for a breed that generally does well with children.
  • Are a first-time dog owner looking for a relatively approachable breed.

Things to consider:

  • This breed may not do well when left alone for long periods.
  • This breed tends to need plenty of regular physical activity.

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd as we know it today was developed in the United States, particularly in the American West. Its deeper ancestry is less tidy. Various European herding dogs arrived in North America alongside sheep and shepherds, and imported sheep from Australia also arrived with working dogs. Dogs associated with Basque shepherds became part of the breed's traditional origin story, although historians continue to debate exactly how much those dogs contributed. Genetic research supports strong connections between Australian Shepherds and British herding breeds such as Collies, Border Collies, and Shetland Sheepdogs. What is much clearer is what happened in the American West: ranchers selected useful sheep and cattle dogs for intelligence, stamina, responsiveness, and the ability to handle livestock in demanding conditions. During the years following the Second World War, Aussies gained a wider audience through rodeos, horse shows, trick performances, movies, and television. Their association with horses and western ranch life became a lasting part of the breed's identity. The Australian Shepherd Club of America was established in 1957, while the American Kennel Club began registering Australian Shepherds in 1991.

Frequently Asked Questions About Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd is not generally considered hypoallergenic. Individual allergy reactions can vary.

The Australian Shepherd tends to have a moderate level of shedding.

The Australian Shepherd generally needs a moderate amount of routine grooming.

The Australian Shepherd is generally a high-energy breed that tends to enjoy an active routine.

The Australian Shepherd tends to need plenty of regular physical activity and mental stimulation.

The Australian Shepherd is generally highly trainable and tends to respond well to consistent, positive training.

The Australian Shepherd generally tends to do well with children when properly socialized and supervised.

The Australian Shepherd may get along with other dogs with appropriate socialization and introductions.

The Australian Shepherd is generally considered relatively approachable for first-time dog owners.

The Australian Shepherd may live in an apartment if its exercise, space, and enrichment needs are met.