Pastoral group · United States
Australian Shepherd
Also called Aussie.
Medium dog, needs a serious amount of exercise, learns almost anything, fast.
- Smart
- Work-oriented
- Exuberant
- Good-natured
- Protective
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 18 to 29 kg40 to 65 lb
- Lives
- 12 to 15 years
- Energy
- Very High
- Trains
- Very High
- Barks
- Moderate
Training
Training an Australian Shepherd
Pastoral breeds. Give the brain a job or it will find one. Chasing, nipping and fixating are the breed doing its work.
Keep Busy
Start here
Boredom leads to destructive behaviour.
Channel Herding
Provide outlets for natural herding drive.
Variety in Training
Quick learners who get bored with repetition.
The app turns this into five to fifteen minutes a day.
Add your Australian Shepherd and it builds the plan around their age, where they came from and what they already know, on video with Atlas and Shango.
Free to start. iPhone. No card needed.
At home
Living with one
Bred to herd and guard livestock. Watchful, responsive, and wired to control movement.
Gets on with
- ChildrenHigh
- Other dogsHigh
- StrangersModerate
- CatsModerate
Breed averages. Early socialisation and the individual dog matter more.
- Exercise
- 2+ hours daily. Active sports and mental games.
- Grooming
- Heavy shedding. Regular brushing needed.
- Drool
- Low
- Coat
- Double coat, Medium lengthBlue Merle, Red Merle, Black, Red, Tricolour
- In a flat
- Needs more space than a flat gives.
Health
Things to ask a breeder or vet about
Hip Dysplasia
Moderate
Joint issues
MDR1 Gene
Moderate
Drug sensitivity, test required
Eye Problems
Moderate
Cataracts, coloboma
Where they come from
History
Despite name, developed in western US in the 19th century from various herding breeds.
