Medium breed
Australian Shepherd Puppies
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized super cuddly dog breed that contrary to its name was developed in the western part of the United States. ‘Aussie’ as commonly called came to be in the 19th century as a ranch dog bred to herd farm animals and livestock as a whole. Discover more about our Australian Shepherd puppies for sale below!
This dog breed is a natural hard worker and has the energy level to maneuver fleeing animals, however within the household, its energy has to deviate to activities like exercises and games, else they prove to be destructive.
We do not have Australian Shepherd puppies on the floor today. Tell us what you are looking for and we will let you know the moment one arrives, or help you find a breed that suits your home just as well.
- Adult weight 40–65 lbs
- Height 18–23 in
- Lifespan 12–15 years
- Exercise 60 min a day
About the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a vibrant, intelligent breed known for its herding past and strong work ethic. Originating from the American West, these medium-sized dogs were bred to assist ranchers in managing livestock, resulting in a breed that is both energetic and highly trainable. Their keen minds and eagerness to please make them ideal partners for active families, especially those with young children or other pets. With a natural affinity for companionship, Australian Shepherds thrive in bustling households, where their affectionate nature shines through in their interactions with family members.
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These dogs are known for their impressive energy levels, making daily exercise a vital part of their routine. Regular outdoor activities, such as running, hiking, or playing fetch, will help keep your Australian Shepherd both mentally and physically stimulated. While they may not be the best fit for apartment living due to their need for space to roam, providing them with ample opportunities to burn off energy can lead to a happy and well-adjusted pet. Their grooming needs are quite manageable; with a weekly brushing, you can maintain their stunning coat and control shedding.
Australian Shepherds are highly trainable, boasting impressive intelligence that means they pick up commands quickly and respond well to positive reinforcement methods. Their strong desire to engage with their owners and play also contributes to their high trainability. While they tend to have a moderate barking tendency, this can be addressed with proper training and socialization to ensure they grow into well-mannered companions. If you’re interested in welcoming an Australian Shepherd into your family, visit us at Petland Ashland, Kentucky, and discover how this wonderful breed can bring joy and adventure into your home.
Australian Shepherd breed profile
Every score below is set by our team for this breed. Higher is simply more of that trait, not better or worse.
Temperament
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Affection Very affectionate
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Playfulness Very playful
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With strangers Friendly
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Territorial Territorial
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Prey drive High
Family & other pets
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Young children Good
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Older children Excellent
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Other dogs Sociable
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Cats With introductions
Energy & exercise
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Energy Very high
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Mental stimulation Needs a job to do
Training
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Trainability Eager to please
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Intelligence Exceptional
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Stubbornness A stubborn streak
Care & upkeep
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Shedding Moderate
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Drooling None to speak of
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Barking Vocal
Home life
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Apartment living Prefers a house
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Time alone Short periods
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Cold weather Comfortable
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Warm weather Average
A good match for
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First-time owners Some experience helps
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Senior owners Suitable
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Running partner Excellent
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Hiking Excellent
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Therapy work Possible
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Guarding Protective
Living with a Australian Shepherd
History
This breed came to be around the Goldrush era as a herding dog for ranchers within the western US. The exact ancestral heritage of this breed isn’t precise per se. There are a lot of possible theories however, the Australian Shepherd likely has a collie as one of its ancestors.
This breed became popular after World War II. There were horse shows, rodeos and Disney movies which had one Australian Shepherd or the other. The crowd loved seeing athletic dogs and so the media promoted the Australian Shepherd.
However, it wasn’t until 1993 before this dog breed was AKC recognized. This is a dog breed that belongs to the herding category. Some modern-day Australian Shepherds are still used to herd livestock but they can be great companions as house pets.
Temperament
This breed plays the dominant role pretty beautifully as they were developed to be assertive and firm when dealing with livestock. If a strong hand isn’t available at home, they will regain their dominant persona. This is one of the reasons why they aren’t so much of a recommended choice for first-time dog owners.
Just like other herding dogs in their niche, the Australian Shepherd is loyal to a fault. Their loyalty, however, doesn’t transcend to strangers as it only plays out with its owners. However, all of these qualities can be tweaked and adjusted during training especially when they’re still young. They are really loving dogs and are great for large families.
Environment
The Australian Shepherd is a herding dog breed, meaning that it’s in their genetic disposition to run, play and live in open lands. This is why they don’t particularly thrive in apartment buildings. These dogs are very sensitive to their owners and they can survive diverse weather conditions, either hot, warm or cold.
Feel free to pitch a dog house outside for this breed or let them run around the yard provided it’s fenced as they have high tendencies for wanderlust. The Australian Shepherd requires a great and spacious environment to fully actualize its purpose in the lives of its owners. If you don’t have a large property, not to worry, frequent visits to the park will satisfy its needs.
Exercise
As expected, the Australian Shepherd has high exercise needs. You may need to take him walking, jogging or to the park every day as they can get destructive when they still have the energy to dispense. The intensity of their exercise is somewhat high and they’re very playful making them the perfect breed for kids and toddlers.
Dog sports like Frisbee or flyball will be their forte as they will excel without a doubt because it involves running and jumping. The Australian Shepherd is a very agile dog breed with a lot of energy too. Feel free to enroll your Aussie in dog competitions just for the fun of it, who knows you may just be taking home a trophy on their behalf. This breed is very smart and easy to train.
Grooming
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed that has a medium length coating. This coating so happens to be water-resistant and ensures that your furry friend is warm and comfortable during rainstorms and snow days.
Their fur could either be straight or wavy and it lengthens around the neck and chest regions. This breed sheds all year round but heavily during the spring season. In terms of grooming, the Australian Shepherd’s coat needs to be brushed weekly to prevent matting.
Because its fur is more hair-like, you may need to use dog hair conditioner on it before brushing. Regular brushing keeps the Australian Shepherd looking neat; however, you may give him a bath when it starts getting obvious. Also, whenever you hear scratching sounds on the floor as the dog walks by, it may be time for a nail trim.
Our Australian Shepherd puppies for sale come from either USDA licensed commercial breeders or hobby breeders with no more than 5 breeding mothers. USDA licensed commercial breeders account for less than 20% of all breeders in the country.
The unregulated breeders who are selling outside of the USDA regulations and without a license are what we consider to be “Puppy Mills.” We are committed to offering Australian Shepherd puppies who will grow up to become important members of your family. We only purchase puppies from the very best sources, and we stand behind every puppy we sell.
Caring for a Australian Shepherd
- Grooming
- Weekly brushing
- Grooming cost
- Average
- Monthly food
- Average
- Outdoor space
- A yard is recommended
- Allergy friendly
- Not considered hypoallergenic
Australian Shepherd Video
Frequently Asked Questions
How many colors do Australian Shepherds come in?
A lot. This breed could come in black, blue merle, red merle, pure red or they could be tri-colored having white, black or tan. The color combination is very beautiful and it enhances the breed’s appearance.
What is Australian Shepherds average life expectancy?
This breed can live for 11-16 years.
What is Australian Shepherds average weight?
The Australian Shepherd can grow to maturity and weigh an average of 40-65 pounds.
Is the Australian Shepherd easy to train?
Yes. Australian Shepherds are sensitive breeds that have a ton of agility, thus increasing their trainability. They are able to learn tricks amongst other commands.
How intelligent are Australian Shepherds?
On a scale of 1-10, it’s safe to say that the Australian Shepherd hits a strong 8.
Are Australian Shepherds family-oriented?
Yes. This dog breed is great for families.
Do Australian Shepherds shed a lot?
Yes, especially when they lose their winter coats during spring.
Do Australian Shepherds have any genetic medical conditions?
These dogs are healthy but routine checks are recommended to checkmate ailments like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, allergies, etc.
How tall do Australian Shepherds grow?
Between the heights of 1ft 6 inches to 1ft 11 inches.
Do Australian Shepherds require much exercise?
Yes. Frequent games at the park would suffice.
