Australian Shepherd
Aussie
Australian Shepherd: does it suit you?
11 quick questions, the same ones this page answers. After each answer you see what the breed needs, and at the end whether it fits your life.
Australian Shepherd: a good fit for you
Australian Shepherd: could work, with compromises
Australian Shepherd: probably not the right dog for you
Your answers match what the breed needs.
Most of your answers fit. Check the points below before you decide.
Some of your answers don't fit what the breed needs. The points below show where.
What to think about
What fits
A better match for your answers:
None of the 42 breeds on this site fits your answers better.
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd developed in the United States as a shepherd dog for farms and ranches.[1] Many still herd in the American West, while others work as rodeo performers, therapy dogs, drug detectors, service dogs and search-and-rescue dogs.[2] The standard describes an intelligent, loyal and good-natured working dog with strong herding and guarding instincts, though it may be somewhat reserved on first meeting.[1]
- Size
- Medium
- Weight
- 16–32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
Australian Shepherd: origin and history
There are many theories about the origin of the Australian Shepherd, but the breed as it is known today developed exclusively in the United States.[1] It was given its name because of its association with Basque sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia in the 1800s.[1] Its versatile, trainable nature made it an asset on American farms and ranches, and American stockmen continued to develop the breed.[1]
Its popularity rose steadily with the boom in western horseback riding after the Second World War, which the public came to know through rodeos, horse shows, films and television.[1] The breed entered the AKC Herding Group in 1993.[2] The FCI accepted it provisionally on 4 June 1996 and on a definitive basis on 21 May 2007.[3] It is classified in FCI Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattledogs, except Swiss Cattledogs), Section 1 (Sheepdogs).[1]
Fact sheet
- Origin
- United States
- Size
- Medium
- Height at withers
- 46–58 cm [1]
- Weight
- 16–32 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–15 years
- Coat
- Medium length
- Colours
- Blue merle, red merle, tricolour, black, red
- Low-shedding coat
- No
Character and needs
Rated on a scale from very low to very high.
- Exercise needsvery high
- Trainabilityvery high
- Grooming needsmoderate
- Sheddinghigh
- Barkingmoderate
- Good with kidsmoderate
- Good with other dogsmoderate
- Good with catsmoderate
- Apartment-friendlyvery low
- Copes with being alonevery low
- Watchdog instinctmoderate
- Good for first-time ownerslow
- Affectionhigh
Australian Shepherd: questions and answers
Is it a good dog for first-time owners?
Not as a first dog. It rates 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. These dogs learn quickly and like working with you (5 out of 5 for trainability). The biggest hurdle is the need for more than 2 hours of exercise a day. If it would be your first dog, plan for a puppy class and a trainer who knows the breed.
How long can it be left alone?
1 to 2 hours, once the dog is an adult and has learned to be alone step by step. These dogs are very attached to their people and often struggle on their own (1 out of 5 for coping alone). More than 6 hours at a stretch isn't fair on any dog; plan for a dog sitter or daycare. Puppies need company: start with a few minutes and build up.
How much exercise does it need?
More than 2 hours a day, spread over several walks. Walks alone are not enough: these dogs also need work for the head, such as search games, fetch or a dog sport like agility.
How long does it live?
12–15 years is the typical life expectancy. That is about the average of the 42 breeds on this site (12.6 years). Breed-typical health risks: MDR1 gene mutation, hip dysplasia, eye disease, epilepsy.
How big does it get?
46–58 cm at the withers and 16–32 kg. Size class: medium.
Is it a good family dog?
Best with older children. It rates 3 out of 5 with children. With other dogs it rates 3 out of 5, with cats 3 out of 5. Never leave young children alone with any dog.
Does it shed a lot?
Yes, a lot: 4 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round. Brush two or three times a week.
Male or female?
51–58 cm at the withers for males and 46–53 cm for females, according to the breed standard. Character differences between the sexes are smaller than between individual dogs; upbringing matters more. Unspayed females come into heat about twice a year, and unneutered males can be restless around them.
Australian Shepherd or Border Collie?
Biggest difference: grooming needs (moderate vs. low).
| Australian Shepherd | Border Collie | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Medium | Medium |
| Weight | 16–32 kg | 14–20 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years | 12–15 years |
| Coat | Medium length | Medium length |
| Grooming needs | Moderate | Low |
| Shedding | High | Moderate |
| Watchdog instinct | Moderate | Low |
| Affection | High | Moderate |
Who it suits
A good fit if you…
- love being outdoors and have 2 hours or more a day for exercise
- want to do dog sports such as agility or obedience
Australian Shepherd: the downsides
Every breed has a flip side. Before you decide, check that you can live with these:
- Needs more than 2 hours of exercise a day
- Every day, in any weather, for 12–15 years. Without enough exercise and things to do, the dog gets restless and may start chewing or barking.
- Struggles when left alone
- 1 to 2 hours at most. If you work away from home, plan for a dog sitter or daycare from the start.
- Not a first dog
- 2 out of 5 for first-time owners. The breed needs consistent training from someone who has handled dogs before.
- Sheds heavily
- 4 out of 5 for shedding. Expect hair on clothes, sofa and car all year round.
- Needs space
- 1 out of 5 for apartment living. The dog does best in a house with a garden or with fields on the doorstep.
- Breed-typical health risks
- MDR1 gene mutation, hip dysplasia, eye disease, epilepsy. Choose a breeder who screens the parents, and consider health insurance.
Australian Shepherd: puppy price and monthly costs
£1,000 for a puppy from a breeder in the UK (Wamiz UK, 2025). From £83 a month in running costs in the UK (PDSA, 2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
| Country | Puppy from a breeder | Running costs per month |
|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £1,000 [4] | from £83 [5] |
| United States | $500 – $2,000 [6] | $116 [7] |
| Canada | no data | CA$367 [8] |
| Australia | A$2,000–5,000 [9] | A$210 [10] |
| New Zealand | no data | NZ$100 [11] |
- Set-up costs at the start: £415 – £560 for basic equipment, first vaccinations, wormers and neutering (PDSA, 2024).
- Dog licence in Northern Ireland: £12.50 a year; England, Scotland and Wales have none (nidirect, 2026).
- Dog licence in the US: $5 – $20 a year, set by the city or county (American Kennel Club, 2021).
- Dog licence in Canada: CA$25–60 a year in Toronto, less for a neutered dog (City of Toronto, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in Australia: A$20–200 a year, depending on the council and whether the dog is desexed (Mozo, 2026).
- Dog registration with the council in New Zealand: NZ$78–182 a year in Auckland, depending on the dog (PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council, 2026).
- Puppies far below these prices often come without health checks or papers.
Health
Breed-typical health risks
- MDR1 gene mutation [17]
- Sensitivity to certain drugs. A DNA test tells you for sure.
- Hip dysplasia [18]
- A malformed hip joint. Both parents should be X-ray screened.
- Eye disease [19]
- Inherited conditions such as PRA or cataracts. Good breeders have the eyes tested.
- Epilepsy [20]
- Can be inherited and is often well controlled with medication.
Health tests for the parent dogs
9 health tests appear in the breeding rules for the breed.
- No health test is required for breeding in the UK (The Royal Kennel Club); the table shows what is recommended.
- Needed for a CHIC number in the US (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals): hip X-ray (HD), elbow X-ray (ED), and eye exam.
- Required of club members who breed in Canada (Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association): hip X-ray (HD), elbow X-ray (ED), and eye exam.
- Required for breeding in Australia (Dogs Australia): hip X-ray (HD). Recommended (may be required) for breeding in Australia (Dogs Australia): eye exam.
- No health test is required for breeding in New Zealand (Dogs New Zealand); the table shows what is recommended.
| Test | United Kingdom [18] | United States [21] | Canada [22] | Australia [23] | New Zealand [24] |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hip X-ray (HD)Hip dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Required | Required | Recommended |
| Elbow X-ray (ED)Elbow dysplasia | Recommended | Required | Required | Recommended [25] | Recommended |
| Eye examInherited eye disease, by a certified vet ophthalmologist | Recommended | Required | Required | Recommended(may be required) [26] | Recommended |
| Thyroid testAutoimmune thyroiditis | not in the rules | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
| DNA test: CEACollie eye anomaly | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Recommended [25] | Recommended |
| DNA test: HSF4Hereditary cataract | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended |
| DNA test: MDR1Drug sensitivity | Recommended | Recommended | not in the rules | Recommended [25] | not in the rules |
| DNA test: PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | Recommended |
| DNA test: prcd-PRAProgressive retinal atrophy | Recommended | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules | not in the rules |
● Required. ○ Recommended: advised, not required. – Not in the rules. The clubs and their rules are in the source list.
United Kingdom: the Royal Kennel Club’s Health Standard requires no test, so every test is ○ recommended.
United States: ● means the test is needed for a CHIC number from the OFA; taking part in CHIC is voluntary.
Canada: ● means the breed club’s code of ethics requires the test of member breeders; the kennel club registers litters without it.
Australia: ● means a litter is only registered if the parents have the test.
New Zealand: the kennel club lists these tests as advice and requires none, so every test is ○ recommended.
(may be required): the club words the test as mandatory, but we found no binding rule.
What to ask the breeder
- Certificates for both parents: hip X-ray (HD), elbow X-ray (ED), and eye exam. A claim that the parents are “health tested” is not enough.
- To see the puppies with their mother, at the breeder’s home.
- The pedigree papers (United Kingdom: Royal Kennel Club registration certificate; Canada: CKC certificate of registration; Australia: Dogs Australia pedigree, issued by the state body; New Zealand: Dogs NZ certificate of registration). [27] [28] [29] [30]
- 8 weeks: the youngest age at which a puppy may leave its mother in the UK, in Canada (Quebec), and in Australia (New South Wales). [31] [32] [33]
- Advice on buying a puppy: The Royal Kennel Club, The Canadian Kennel Club, Dogs Australia, and Dogs New Zealand. [34] [35] [36] [37]
Similar breeds
Sources
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Breed standard No. 342: Australian Shepherd (2009)
- American Kennel Club: Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Information
- FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale): Australian Shepherd (FCI nomenclature)
- Wamiz UK: Australian Shepherd dog and puppy: Temperament, lifespan, price, colours (2025)
- PDSA (People's Dispensary for Sick Animals, UK veterinary charity): The cost of owning a dog (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, other costs.
- PetMD: Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Health and Care (2026)
- ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals): Cutting Pet Care Costs (2021). Covers food, vet visits, preventive medicine, insurance, toys and treats, boarding, dog licence, grooming supplies.
- Pets Plus Us (Canadian pet insurer; figures from OVMA 2024 Cost of Care research): HOW MUCH IS THAT DOGGY? (EN-DOG_PPU_Cost-of-Care_Aug2024_v3.pdf) (2024). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, dog tax, accessories.
- Lyka: Australian Shepherd breed insights: care, personality & expert tips (2026)
- Animal Medicines Australia (survey by Sweeney Research/SNR): Pets in Australia: A national survey of pets and people (Pet Ownership Study 2025) (2025). Covers food, vet visits, insurance, parasite treatment, vet medicines, supplements, grooming, training, accessories, dog walking, boarding, transport, memberships, alternative healthcare.
- Companion Animals New Zealand (NZ Companion Animal Council): Companion Animals in New Zealand 2016 (section 6.3 Dogs, Fig 50) (2016). Covers food, vet visits, dog tax, boarding, equipment, grooming, healthcare products, insurance, training, other costs.
- nidirect (official government website for Northern Ireland): Dog licensing and microchipping (2026)
- American Kennel Club: Are You Financially Prepared for a Puppy? Explore Costs of Owning a Dog (2021)
- City of Toronto: Pet Licensing Fees (2026)
- Mozo: How much does it cost to own a dog or cat in Australia? 2026 (2026)
- PetMall NZ, citing Auckland Council: Auckland Dog Registration 2026–27: Late Fees Now Apply — Full Fee Table (2026)
- Washington State University College of Veterinary Medicine, Program in Individualized Medicine: Dog breeds commonly affected by MDR1 mutation (2021)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Australian Shepherd – Breeds A to Z
- Animals (MDPI) (De Iorio M.G. et al.): Genotypic and Allelic Frequencies of Hereditary Cataract in the Italian Population of Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd Dogs (2025)
- Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine (Weissl J. et al.): Disease progression and treatment response of idiopathic epilepsy in Australian Shepherd dogs (2012)
- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA): CHIC Program Requirements: Australian Shepherd
- Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association: Code of Ethics
- Dogs Australia (Australian National Kennel Council Ltd): Regulations Part 6: The Register and Registration (Section 8 Breeding, incl. breed-specific Litter Registration Limitations 8.8-8.18) (2026)
- Dogs New Zealand: Accredited Breeder Health Tests for the AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD (former Accredited Breeders Scheme test list)
- Australian Shepherd Club of Victoria Inc. (ASCV): Breeder directory: Approved Breeder Criteria (club Breeding Program guidelines)
- Australian Shepherd Club of Victoria Inc. (ASCV): About the ASCV: By-Laws/Code of Ethics and Puppy Listing and Sales Register rules
- The Royal Kennel Club: What should the breeder give me?
- The Canadian Kennel Club: By-Laws (incl. Code of Ethics (2025)
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Importance of Pedigree Papers
- Dogs New Zealand (New Zealand Kennel Club Inc.): Registration Regulations (Section 4, Reg. 24: Litter Registration Limitations (2026)
- UK Government (legislation.gov.uk): The Animal Welfare (Licensing of Activities Involving Animals) (England) Regulations 2018 (S.I. 2018/486), Schedule 6 (breeding dogs) and Schedule 3 (selling animals as pets) (2018)
- Ministère de l'Agriculture, des Pêcheries et de l'Alimentation du Québec (MAPAQ): Guide d'application du Règlement sur le bien-être et la sécurité des animaux domestiques de compagnie et des équidés (reproduces CQLR c. B-3.1, r. 0.1, art. 36) (2023)
- NSW Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD), State of New South Wales (fact sheet hosted by Dogs NSW): New laws for dog breeders in NSW (fact sheet on the 2024-25 amendments to the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1979 and Companion Animals Act 1998) (2025)
- The Royal Kennel Club: Questions for the breeder
- The Canadian Kennel Club: Finding an Accountable Breeder
- Dogs Australia: Getting a Dog: Choosing a Breeder
- Dogs New Zealand: How do you go about purchasing a pedigree pure bred dog?
Breeding rules, health sources and breed standards checked October 8, 2026.
Prices as published by the sources; collected October 8, 2026.
Breed traits describe typical tendencies. Every dog is an individual, shaped by genes, upbringing and training.