Australian Shepherd
| Size at withers | 46–58 cm |
|---|---|
| Weight range | 16–29 kg |
| Life expectancy | 12–15 years |
| Size class | Small–Medium (10–25 kg) |
| Normal resting vitals | Heart rate 70–120 bpm · Respiration 15–30/min · Temperature 38.3–39.2 °C |
| Coat | Medium-length, weather-resistant double coat |
| Temperament | Intelligent, work-driven, family-oriented, wary of strangers |
| Common health issues | Hip dysplasia; collie eye anomaly; MDR1 mutation; cataracts; epilepsy |
| Exercise needs | High — 60–90 min/day |
| Climate & housing suitability | Moderate — the coat requires grooming, especially in humid climates. |
| Owner notes | Increasingly popular in urban settings; often under-exercised. |
Origin and purpose
Herding (AKC). Origin: Western United States, not Australia.
Increasingly popular in urban settings; often under-exercised.
What a breed was built to do explains most of what it will do in your home. A dog selected for hundreds of years to run, guard, herd, or hunt does not stop wanting to because it now lives in an apartment — the drive is the breed, and the owner's job is to give it somewhere to go.
Temperament and training
Stated temperament: Intelligent, work-driven, family-oriented, wary of strangers
A guarding breed: it is naturally suspicious of strangers, and that is what it was bred for. Early, broad, positive socialisation — many people, many places, many situations, before sixteen weeks — is not optional for this breed; it is the difference between a discriminating guardian and a dangerous liability. A guarding dog that has not been socialised is a problem you have created, not a temperament you have discovered.
Conditions this breed is predisposed to
Idiopathic epilepsy
MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity
Cataracts
Collie eye anomaly
Hip dysplasia
Health screening — what to test, and when
| Screen for | Test | When |
|---|---|---|
| Cataracts | Ophthalmologist eye examination | Annually |
| Collie eye anomaly | Ophthalmologist examination of puppies, plus DNA test | Puppies at 6–8 weeks — the window matters; DNA once |
| Hip dysplasia | Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring) | Once at 12–24 months; earlier if lame |
| Idiopathic epilepsy | No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging | Investigate the first seizure; do not breed from affected dogs |
| MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity | DNA test (cheek swab) | Once, ideally before the dog ever needs medicating — then tell every vet |
Every dog, every breed: an annual health examination (twice yearly from seven years), body-condition scoring at each visit, dental assessment, year-round parasite control, and the core vaccinations.
For breeders — test before you mate
- Cataracts — Ophthalmologist eye examination
- Collie eye anomaly — Ophthalmologist examination of puppies, plus DNA test
- Hip dysplasia — Radiographic hip evaluation (hip scoring)
- Idiopathic epilepsy — No screening test. Diagnosis is by exclusion, after blood work and imaging
- MDR1 (ABCB1) drug sensitivity — DNA test (cheek swab)
Feeding
The most forgiving size to feed. A good-quality complete diet appropriate to the life stage, measured with a cup or scales rather than judged by eye, split into two meals a day. Weigh the food; guessing is how dogs get fat. Treats counted within the daily allowance, not added on top.
Exercise and enrichment
Stated requirement: High — 60–90 min/day
A high-energy dog needing substantial, committed daily exercise plus mental work. Do not take this breed on unless the daily commitment is realistic on your worst week, not your best one.
Coat and grooming
Medium-length, weather-resistant double coat. Brush 2–3× weekly.
Climate and living conditions
Stated suitability: Moderate — the coat requires grooming, especially in humid climates.
Ageing and senior care
Life expectancy: 12–15 years. This dog is a senior from around 8–9 years, at which point wellness examinations should move to twice a year and senior blood and urine screening begins. Watch for the gradual onset of arthritis, dental disease, and the endocrine conditions of middle age. Senior care →
Before you take one home
- Ask the breeder for the health-test results listed above — for BOTH parents, on paper, before you pay a deposit. A breeder who has done the tests will be proud to show you; one who deflects, or who tells you the tests are unnecessary in this line, is telling you what you need to know.
- Consider adoption. Shelters and rescues have dogs of every kind, including purebreds, and the local native or landrace dog is often healthier, better adapted to its climate, and more in need of a home than almost anything you can buy. See Part XII.
