Australian Shepherd – Temperament, Personality Traits & More

Believe it or not, the Australian Shepherd is not actually an Aussie! This medium sized dog breed falls under the working dog category. 

Originally bred for herding livestock, the Aussie Shepherd dates back to the 1840s in the western United States. Basque people from southwestern France and the Pyrenees of northeastern Spain travelled to the western United States to herd sheep, and they brought dogs with them.

They derive from the English Shepherd, with a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years. They’re also closely related to the Border Collie – which is probably why they so often get confused for them. 

What do Australian Shepherd dogs look like?

Aussie Shepherds are known for their beautiful looks. Both genders of the breed stand between 50cm and 56cm in height. A male’s healthy weight falls between 22kg and 30kg, whilst a female’s healthy weight would sit slightly lower between 18kg and 25kg.

Australian Shepherds boast a distinctive medium-length double coat that is both functional and visually appealing. This coat is designed to protect them from various weather conditions, making them well-suited for outdoor activities and their historical role as herding dogs.

The outer coat is straight and can be somewhat coarse to the touch, providing a durable layer that repels dirt and water. The undercoat is softer and denser, offering insulation against the cold.

The hair on their legs is feathered, and their chest is adorned with an impressive mane, contributing to their regal and proud appearance. Despite their beauty, this coat requires regular maintenance. To keep their fur in optimal condition and prevent matting, Australian Shepherds should be brushed at least twice a week. During shedding seasons, more frequent brushing may be necessary to manage their high shedding levels and avoid matting.

Their ears are floppy, and their tails are short. You’ll find Australian Shepherds in a variety of colours, including black, red, blue or red merle (with and without white) and tan.

What is the personality of an Australian Shepherd?

Common traits of an Australian Shepherd include:

• Loyal
• Protective
• Energetic
• Sporty
• Loving and affectionate

This medium-sized dog breed loves to be busy and shares many traits with the Border Collie. They are very high in energy and need to be kept active – physically and mentally. Activities like competitive sports are a great way to occupy these beauties. They’re exceptionally good at:

• Agility
• Flyball
• Herding tests
• Obedience competitions (when trained correctly)

Due to their need to be busy and challenged, they are easy to train and respond quickly to commands. They are definitely not dogs that like to stay indoors and especially not apartments – the Australian Shepherd needs room to move and run around to burn off their energy, and they really don’t like to be left alone for long. If left to their own devices, boredom kicks in and this may cause them to become destructive.

They have a natural herding instinct which often shows in their obsessive need to round up as well as their protectiveness. They are incredibly loving and loyal, making for great careers as guide, hearing assistance, police and search and rescue dogs.

What are common health problems for Australian Shepherds?

• Joint problems such as hip and elbow dysplasia are common in many dogs, including the brown Australian Shepherd. Dysplasia is a condition where a joint doesn’t fit into its socket properly. If left untreated, this can develop into arthritis, which is quite a painful joint disease.
  
  It may not reveal itself until later in your dog’s life, so it’s important to know if there has been a history of hip or elbow dysplasia in their family. Thankfully, these problems can be managed with easy-to-use supplements, weight managements, vet injections and more.

• Eye problems are very common in our Aussie Shepherd friends. Cataracts (a condition that causes a cloudy lens) mostly affect this dog breed between the ages of 1 and 3 but can appear as late as 7 years old. It can progress to blindness at a later stage in life.

• Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) is another common eye disease. This can be genetically tested and good breeders will breed to try and eradicate this from their lines. It can range from minor to major with the latter also holding the potential to lead to blindness.

• Coloboma is a condition where part of a dog’s iris fails to develop and results in having part of the eye missing, causing great discomfort in bright light. This disease is present at birth and seen almost always in Merle-coloured Aussie Shepherds.

• MDS (Multiple Drug Sensitivity) is rare across dog breeds as a whole, but Australian Shepherds fall under the few breeds to suffer. MDS causes hypersensitivity to veterinary prescribed medications – this includes medications such as heartworm tablets. The brain cannot pump the drugs out of a dog’s brain, causing a potential fatality if the medication is administered.

Less common diseases in Australian Shepherds include heart disease, blood-clotting diseases, allergies and ear infections. It’s important to understand the level of care this dog breed will need before welcoming them into your home. Remember that this breed’s focus is work!

Similar Dog Breeds to Australian Shepherds in Temperament & Personality Traits

Several dog breeds share similar characteristics with Australian Shepherds, particularly in terms of appearance, coat type, and temperament.

• One closely related breed is the Border Collie. Like the Australian Shepherd, Border Collies have a medium-length double coat that requires regular grooming. They are also highly energetic and intelligent, excelling in agility and herding activities.

• Another similar breed is the English Shepherd. Often mistaken for Australian Shepherds, English Shepherds have a comparable medium-length coat and are known for their versatility and working abilities. They, too, thrive in active environments where they can engage in tasks and exercises.

• The Belgian Shepherd is another breed that shares a resemblance with the Australian Shepherd. Known for their loyalty and protective nature, Belgian Shepherds have a dense double coat that is slightly longer and requires regular grooming to maintain its condition. They are also highly trainable and excel in various dog sports and work roles.

• Lastly, the Shetland Sheepdog, or Sheltie, is a smaller breed with a similar coat type. Shelties have a luxurious double coat that is long and flowing, requiring diligent grooming. They are affectionate, intelligent, and energetic, making them great companions for active families.

Each of these breeds shares the Australian Shepherd’s need for regular grooming and an active lifestyle, making them suitable for owners who can commit to their high energy and grooming needs.

Aussie Shepherds are your perfect fit if you can keep up with their high energy, attention and overall health needs.