Australian Shepherd

My Summary of an Australian Shepherd:

We have been breeding Australian Shepherds since 2021. I have a beautiful, relaxed line in my Aussie Shepherds in my female side, our males are slightly more energetic. Aussie Shepherds are a medium sized dog, and are for active/adventurous families. They are very loyal, loving, and playful, and require lots of mental and physical stimulation. They will shed hair, and require brushing to stop matting. They make a beautiful companion but do require lots of exercise and training, which they will thrive from.

Photos of Aussie Shepherds we have bred

Maintenance Level: Medium

Lifespan: 13-15 years

Weight: 18-27kg

Height: 50-56cm

Temperament: Intelligent, loving, energetic, loyal

Health Risk: This breed is in the lower risk category for developing health issues, the main concern would be hip & elbow dysplasia, which is the main concern for all larger breed dogs. Aussie Shepherds can be prone to eye problems, epilepsy, and sensitivity to certain drugs (MRD1 mutation).

Behaviour

The Australian Shepherd is a very trainable dog, being very intelligent and enjoying the ability to bond with their human family. As a result, they love to learn tricks and skills. They are very responsive to positive reinforcement, making toilet training and other training relatively easy to master.

They’re very active and energetic, and love to run and play with both kids and adults. Australian Shepherds love the attention that playtime brings. They’re also generally quite placid and easy-going!

Their instinctual desire to herd livestock makes them very protective. They are not an aggressive dog, but they have a strong desire to protect their family and their territory.

Size

Classed as medium in size, Australian Shepherds can grow to stand around 46-58 centimetres tall, however sizes will vary. They can also weigh between 16 and 32kg, with females being slightly lighter and smaller in overall frame.

Grooming

Australian Shepherds have a double-layer, waterproof coat that can pick up debris while they’re running around, so be prepared to do some combing! In general, once-or twice-weekly brushing sessions will keep their coat in good shape.

During seasonal shedding seasons (spring and autumn), you can help remove dead fur with an undercoat rake. Aussies only need occasional baths if they’ve gotten into something extra-dirty. Otherwise, regular brushing, nail clipping, and teeth brushing is enough to keep the well groomed.

Exercise

Plan on at least an hour of exercise daily, and that doesn’t mean leisurely neighborhood walks. Dog sports like agility and flyball are a great way to entertain your Australian Shepherd and strengthen your bond. If you have kitties or kiddos at home, proceed with caution: Aussies can be amazing family dogs and get along with other pets, but they can also have a high herding instinct that leads to nipping at heels. They will love going on hikes, swimming in the beach, and going on daily runs/walks.

Please note with all puppies (particularly larger breeds that are prone to hip dysplasia), it is usually recommended to not over-exercise a puppy to not put too much stress on growing joints. The recommended daily amount is 5 minutes every month of life (for example, a 3 month old puppy only requires 15 minutes of exercise). Excessive stair use on large breed puppies can also lead to hip and elbow dysplasia. Getting pet insurance to cover hip & elbow dysplasia in your dog is highly recommended.