Australian Shepherd
Overview
A brilliant, energetic herding dog that excels at sport and work — but needs a busy, committed owner.
Temperament & family fit
In general, a Australian Shepherd is good with children and sociable with other dogs. They tend to be a moderate barker, and as a guide they are better with some experience. As with any dog, early socialisation, reward-based training and supervision around young children make all the difference.
Exercise needs
A healthy adult Australian Shepherd typically needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (roughly 120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need their brains tired — sniffy walks, short training games and puzzle or scatter feeding go a long way towards a calm, settled dog. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need adjusted amounts — check with your vet.
Grooming & coat
Coat upkeep is regular brushing and shedding is high. Brush regularly (a few times a week) to keep the coat healthy and remove loose hair. Whatever the coat, check ears, nails and teeth as part of a regular routine.
Feeding considerations
Like any dog, a Australian Shepherd should get most of its nutrition from a complete, balanced dog food appropriate for its size and life stage. Portions scale with body weight and activity, so a medium breed will eat a moderate amount compared with other breeds — follow the food’s feeding guide and your vet’s advice, and weigh portions to avoid creeping weight gain. Treats — including fruit and veg — should make up no more than about 10% of daily calories.
Pros & cons
Pros
- +Highly intelligent, athletic and trainable
- +Devoted and good with active families
Things to consider
- –Needs intense daily exercise plus mental work — not for flats or novices
- –Herding instinct can mean nipping; sheds heavily
Is a Australian Shepherd right for you?
On space, a Australian Shepherd is needs plenty of space — they really need plenty of room and a lot of daily activity. For experience level, they are better with some experience. First-time owners can absolutely succeed, but should be ready for consistent training, exercise and (ideally) some support.
Kit that suits a Australian Shepherd
Size-appropriate everyday essentials:
Helpful tools
Similar breeds
Frequently asked questions
Are Australian Shepherds good with children?
Good with children. As a general guide, Australian Shepherds tend to be patient and tolerant. Whatever the breed, always supervise dogs and young children and teach kids to interact gently.
How much exercise does a Australian Shepherd need?
As a healthy adult, a typical Australian Shepherd needs 2 hours or more, plus a job to do of exercise a day (120–180 minutes), split across walks plus play. Higher-energy dogs also need mental stimulation — sniffing, training games and puzzle feeders — to stay settled. Puppies, seniors and dogs with health conditions need less — ask your vet.
Do Australian Shepherds shed a lot?
High shedding. Coat upkeep is regular brushing — brush regularly to keep the coat in good condition.
Are Australian Shepherds easy to train and good for first-time owners?
Better with some experience. Australian Shepherds are best for owners ready to commit to consistent training and plenty of activity. Reward-based training and early socialisation help any dog.
Do Australian Shepherds bark a lot?
Moderate barker. They are usually fairly easy-going about barking, though any dog will bark if bored or under-exercised.
Are Australian Shepherds good with other dogs?
Sociable with other dogs. Early, positive socialisation with other dogs from a young age makes a big difference.
Do Australian Shepherds suit flats or smaller homes?
Needs plenty of space. A Australian Shepherd really needs plenty of space and a lot of daily activity — not ideal for a small flat.