If you think you could provide a loving home for Australian shepherds, it’s worth contacting local shelters to see if there are any looking for new homes, or checking out the Gumtree selling page to try and find one in your area. Getting any pet is a big commitment. So it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re making the right choice before bringing a new furry friend home. The Pet Advertising Advisory Group has lots of useful information on how to buy a pet responsibly. We’ve also put together a guide to buying a puppy or dog online to help you safely and sensibly assess your options.
Care
Thanks to their heritage roaming the planes of the wild west, Aussies are dogs that can thrive in homes with plenty of space. While they’ll usually only need enough room indoors to move about and put a dog bed, these energetic dogs tend to do best in a home with a reasonably large garden. It’s important to make sure this is securely fenced so that they can’t jump or dig their way out easily and escape in pursuit of something interesting. It’s also useful to have somewhere nearby for walks that doesn’t bring your Australian shepherd close to any livestock due to their herding instinct.
To keep your Australian shepherd healthy, it’s usually easiest to feed them a complete dog food. Following the guidelines on the packaging for how much to give them is a great start. But if you notice your dog seems to be gaining or losing a lot of weight, it’s fine to adjust this. If in doubt, it’s always worth asking your vet for advice.
Grooming
Aussies tend to have soft, medium-length coats that are usually straight or wavy. Most are multicoloured and may have patches of white, blue, dark red or black, or merle (coloured spots). It’s a good idea to brush your dog once a week to help their coat stay shiny and tangle-free. This is also an ideal time to check their ears and feet for any grass seeds or burrs that may have got stuck there. Australian shepherds shed year-round but will shed the most in spring. Some extra brushing during this time can help prevent your house from being overrun with fur. Generally speaking, there’s no need to bathe your dog unless they get dirty or smelly. In addition their nails will only need trimming by a groomer if you can hear them clicking as they walk.
Exercise
These energetic dogs tend to need plenty of exercise to keep them busy. Bored Aussies can cause trouble and may get destructive. So it’s important to make sure they get at least an hour of high-energy activity every day. They’ll usually need input and attention from you to play games like fetch or frisbee. Some can even get their heads around more complex games like football. It’s worth keeping your Australian shepherd on the lead whenever they’re out of the house or familiar, fenced spaces until they’re really good at always coming when called. Otherwise, they might get distracted and go on an adventure of their own, which could get them into trouble.
Temperament and training
Since they were bred to herd cattle, Australian shepherds are generally happiest when they have a job to do. They’re usually quick learners and will gladly follow commands from anyone they believe to be in charge, so it’s worth showing them firm, fair and confident leadership. Advanced obedience training or practice for shows or agility contests is a great way to keep them busy and interested. Interactive puzzle toys are also a good option for occupying them. It’s also possible to train your Aussie to help with household chores like picking up laundry.
Aussies tend to be very loyal and protective dogs and will usually bark to warn you of anything they see as a threat. It’s important to socialise them with other people and dogs from a young age so that they learn not to try to defend you from everyone. They may also try to herd children or cars. It’s a good idea to train your dog not to do this, as they don’t know any better until you do.
Health concerns
Most Aussies are healthy dogs, but it’s worth being aware of a few genetic health conditions that are common for purebred dogs. When contacting breeders, it’s important to enquire about the dog’s parents and make sure been they’ve screened for these conditions.
- Hip dysplasia. With this condition, a dog’s leg bones and hip joints don’t fit together properly. It can be painful for your dog and may make them unwilling to jump or run as much. This condition can also lead to arthritis later in life. You can help reduce the risk of it affecting your dog by making sure they stay a healthy weight.
- Epilepsy. Just as it does in humans, this condition can cause your dog to suffer from seizures. Dogs with epilepsy can’t be cured, but can still live long and happy lives with daily medication.
- Deafness. If your dog doesn’t respond to their name or commands, they may have hearing loss. Some kinds can be treated with medication or surgery, but many can’t. Deaf dogs can still live full lives, with a little more time and work from you.
Thinking of buying a puppy? Take a look at what to expect in your puppy’s first year and the lifelong cost of owning a dog.
FAQs
How long do Australian shepherds live?
On average, a healthy Australian Shepherd should live for 12–14 years.
Are Australian shepherds good with kids?
They may naturally try to herd children, but most can be trained to respect kids and will make good pets for an active family.
When do Australian shepherds stop growing?
Most are fully grown by around 16 months old. On average, full-size female Aussies weigh 18–25kg and stand 45–55cm tall, while males are a bit larger at 22–30kg and 50–60cm tall.
Are Australian shepherds vocal?
Yes, most will bark to warn you if they believe there’s a threat. They may also bark if they get bored, so it’s important to keep them busy.
Can Australian shepherds have tails?
Yes, some naturally have short tails, while others have longer ones. In some countries, their tails are docked, but this practice is illegal in the UK.
