Privacy Policy: Your email address is 100% safe.
We don't spam and hate it as much as you do :-) You can also unsubscribe from our mailing list at any time.
Subscribe to The FREE Australian Shepherd Training Course to learn how you can easily turn your unruly and disobedient Aussie Shepherd into a loving, friendly companion. Step-by-step tips for puppy housebreaking, dog obedience training and stopping bad behavior.
Sign Up
Sign Up
Australian Shepherd: Origin, Personality, Training (Aussie)
About Australian Shepherd
Country of Origin, History of Australian Shepherds
The Australian Shepherd was developed in the U.S. to work as a herding dog on ranches. The breed's principal forebears were most likely Spanish dogs that accompanied the Basque shepherds and herds of fine Merino sheep exported to both America and Australia in the early days of the colonies. At some point it probably crossed with Collie stock.
The Aussie has a strong, deep chest and stands squarely on all fours. The medium-sized oval eyes come brown, blue, amber, or any variation or combination including flecks and marbling. Each individual's masculinity or femininity is clearly defined.
Australian Shepherd Tools
Breed Selector Tool - is the Australian Shepherd the right breed for you?
Is the Australian Shepherd the right breed for you and your family?
Find out by using our Free Dog Breed Selector Tool
Check Your Australian Shepherd's Learning Style
Are you aware dogs also have a learning style that can greatly affect their ability to housetrain as well as be trained correctly. Evaluate your Australian Shepherd's learning style and personality using our free Learning Style tool so that you are better able to provide him with the proper Australian Shepherd training methods.
Is your Australian Shepherd dominating over you?
Does your Australian Shepherd bark unnecessarily? Does your Australian Shepherd come to you when you call? Download a FREE Report on Dog Dominance for you and your Australian Shepherd and learn how to control your dog.
Do you make these mistakes with your Australian Shepherd?
Are you inadvertently snow-balling bad behavior in your Australian Shepherd? Evaluate your Dog Training Style from our Free Tool and learn how best to deal with your dog.
Australian Shepherd Calorie Calculator
Do you know how many calories your Australian Shepherd needs every day and how many cups of food you should be giving it every day? Click here to use our Australian Shepherd Calorie Calculator.
Description of the Dog
The Aussie is a medium-sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog. The ears are set on high at the side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail.
Coat
The coat is of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat and comes in comes in blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. There is a moderate mane and frill.
Height
Dogs 20-23 inches (52-58cm.)
Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53cm.)
Weight
Dogs 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg)
Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.)
Free Australian Shepherd Training Secrets
Free Course on Australian Shepherd Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Australian Shepherd Personality Traits
Temperament of the Breed
Australian Shepherds are easy going, quiet, playful, courageous, loyal, protective, lively, agile, attentive, eager to please, affectionate and forever young. They possess a sixth sense about what the owner wants. Excellent with children but a little aggressive with livestock and suspicious of strangers. This breed is not usually dog aggressive. Some like to nip people's heals in an attempt to herd them.
Better suited to an indoor or outdoor lifestyle?
This breed is not recommended for apartment life. They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. Working lines of this breeds may be too energetic to be suitable pets.
Are they suited to homes with kids?
Australian Shepherds can be good with young kids if they're raised with them. But because of their herding instincts, many try to nip at children's heels when they run. Most Aussies can be trained to stop this behavior though. They are more suited to families with older children.
Australian Shepherd Activity Level
Exercise Need
This energetic working dog needs plenty of vigorous exercise, including long, daily walks or should be made to jog run alongside while the owner bicycles. It's better off with a proper job to do. If under-exercised, this breed can become restless and destructive. This Dogs are highly intelligent and easy to train.
Grooming
The coat of this average shedder is easy to groom and needs little attention. It should be brushed occasionally with a firm bristle brush and bathed only when necessary.
Free Australian Shepherd Training Secrets
Free Course on Australian Shepherd Training & Obedience
Stop All Bad Behavior, Excessive Barking and Biting
Health and Care
Major concerns: cataract, CEA. Minor concerns: CHD, nasal solar dermatitis, Pelger – Huet syndrome, iris coloboma. Occasionally seen: lumbar sacral syndrome, epilepsy, PRA, vWD, distichiasis, PDA, PPM. Suggested tests: hip, eye. Some are prone to hip dysplasia This breed is often sensitive to ivermectin; however, the dosage for heartworm preventive is considered safe. Also IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia).
National Breed Clubs
Life Expectancy: About 15 or more years
Breeder Club & Rescue
Link:
www.asdca.org
Group: Herding Group
AKC Popularity Ranking: 34
Also Known As: Aussie Shepherd
Train Your Australian Shepherd To Listen To You
Get Instant Access to Your Training Now - For Free
Sign up for our Free Australian Shepherd Mini Course to have a housebroken, obedient dog that happily comes to you every time you call.
You'll learn new commands to obedience-train your dog as well as how to housebreak your dog in 6 days or less.
You'll also learn how to eliminate bad habits like barking, nipping or biting, jumping, or pulling on the leash.Here's just s small fraction of what else you'll learn in the course:
How to lead and think like a pack dog - the new psychology.
3 dangerous mistakes that most Aussie Shepherd owners make when they are trying to potty train their dogs.
The 2 main reasons why your dog barks excessively and how to control its excessive barking.
How to obedience train your Australian Shepherd to permanently end behavioral problems like Jumping, Aggression, Pulling on Leash.
A surprisingly easy way to teach your dog cool new tricks.
How to improve your dog's lifespan and keep it from getting overly heavy with a healthy and nutritious diet.
Getting Pro help fast - how to get access to our expert trainers when you need them most.
One hidden psychological trigger that all Australian Shepherds have... that practically allows you to "analyze" and "control" your dog's every action.
Priority access to the free online seminars conducted by our training experts.
Whereas other dog training related web sites and books offer generic information for dogs in general, ours is the ONLY web site that offers Aussie Shepherd information specifically, from a renowned panel of experts - because as you probably know, Aussie Shepherds have their own special training requirements that other dogs don't have.
What Other Dog Owners Say…
Our Free Courses
Dog Obedience TrainingDog Housetraining
Stop Dog Barking
Stop Dog Biting
HomeMade Dog food
Dog Grooming
Adopting A Dog
Read More
PureBred Dog BreedsMixed Dog Breeds
Dog Groups
Training Small Dog Breeds
Training Medium Dog Breeds
Training Large Dog Breeds
Exercising Your Dog
Dog Health
More Articles
Dog Grooming Needs
Our Tribute