Australian Shepherds are some of the most energetic and impressive dogs around, with a personality as vibrant as their stunning coat. Known for their boundless enthusiasm, intelligence, and natural herding abilities, these dogs are much more than just a pretty face and luxurious fur.
Whether they’re nimbly herding livestock on a ranch, winning best in show, or dashing around the countryside with their human friends, Australian Shepherds are always ready for action.
These striking, colorful dogs have an interesting background, including an eclectic provenance that bears little relation to their title. Their bewitching eyes are the stuff of myth and legend, while on the practical side, there are a few important points prospective owners should be aware of...
Let’s get the lowdown on this agile breed.
Facts about Australian Shepherds
1. They have a misleading name
You’d be forgiven for assuming that the Australian Shepherd dog is an Australian dog breed. However, the breed was actually developed in America with its roots in the western states of California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho, where it was popular with ranchers for herding their flocks.
Its origins are likely to lie in sheepdog breeds, probably from the Pyrenees in northern Spain – which are thought to have arrived in the US via Australia and New Zealand – as well as imported British herding dogs.
The early Australian Shepherds were typically blue merle – like the sheepdogs in Australia – and that is thought to have encouraged the Americans to name the breed as such.
2. They are considered sacred
Legend has it that blue-eyed Australian Shepherds – which are fairly common in dogs with the merle coloring – were considered sacred by Native Americans, who called them “ghost eyes”.
In ancient cultures, having two different colored eyes was associated with the spirit world and the myth that the animal could see both heaven and earth.
3. They can have multi-colored eyes
While blue eyes are fairly rare in the overall canine species, many Australian Shepherds’ are piercing pale blue. They may also be brown or amber, or a combination of colors, including with flecks and marbling, which enhances their spectacular appearance.
4. They are a Jack of all trades
An Australian Shepherd can turn his paw to almost any job. While they were bred for herding and are superb in this field, their blend of intelligence with athleticism means they also excel at agility, flyball, and other active sports, while they can also be trained to be useful in search and rescue, and even as therapy dogs. Not only a Jack of all trades but a master of many!
5. They have a high energy drive
An Australian Shepherd dog has been bred to work for hours and days on the ranch, on tricky terrain, and in all weathers. This makes sense.
As a high-energy dog breed, they are not designed to sit on a bed all day long as a couch potato. They have an incredible work ethic and bottomless stamina – and if they’re not busy, they’re bored.
6. They are serial shedders
The Australian Shepherd dog’s double-layered coat is medium to long, with a profuse mane and feathering on the legs – and this breed sheds a lot.
They officially shed twice a year (blowing their undercoats), but many owners report that they shed moderately all year round. They need thorough and regular grooming to manage the issue and to keep their skin and fur healthy.
7. They are super smart
The Australian Shepherd dog is among the smartest dog breeds. Like many herding dogs, they are easy to train and willing to please.
They are both clever and emotionally intelligent. However, with such high energy demands, it’s important to channel their exuberance into good behavior.
8. They can have bobbed tails
The gene for a naturally bobbed tail is dominant in this breed, giving the nickname “bobtail” – the ratio is about one in five according to the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute.
However, two bobtails should not be bred together as it can cause spinal cord defects in those puppies that do not die in the womb.
9. There are lots of color combos
There are 16 variations of coat color, based on black, red, and blue merle with white. Only black and red can be solid colors – and these are the least common – the others have various trims, as well as merle or tricolor.
10. They go by many names
Not only do Australian Shepherds have a confusing name that does not relate to where the breed was established, but they also have had many nicknames through their history. These are Spanish Shepherd, Bobtail and California Shepherd to name a few.
11. They are fabulous herders
The Australian Shepherd dog is one of the best dog breeds for life on the farm. This is due to their innate herding skills. They are agile, have great endurance, love to work, and are trainable. Their dense coats are protective, both against changeable weather and boisterous livestock.
12. They are a “Velcro” breed
Australian Shepherd dogs tend to cling to their people and are likely to suffer from separation anxiety. They are bred to watch over their flock, and in a domestic situation that translates to their human family. Owners report they can hardly go to the bathroom without their Shepherd shadow.
13. They have a healthy lifespan
The Australian Shepherd tends to be a generally robust and healthy dog breed with a lifespan of 12–15 years. Occasionally you hear of an Aussie living to the age of 18 but this is very rare.
14. They have special nose colors
The Australian Shepherd dog’s nose color usually relates to its coat. For instance, a red dog’s nose should be liver, while a dog with a black or blue merle coat should have a black nose.
There is sometimes some pink marbling in puppies with multi-colored coats but it should resolve to solid black or liver by one year or it is considered a fault. A pink nose is called a “Dudley” and is undesirable as it is prone to sunburn.
15. They have high exercise demands
The Australian Shepherd dog has sky-high energy levels. In a domestic situation where they are not working on the farm all day long, expect them to need at least two hours of vigorous exercise per day, otherwise, you may be paying for it with a frustrated dog in the home desperate to expend his energy.
16. One was a recent Crufts Best in Show
The breed has twice won Best in Show at the prestigious Crufts dog show in the UK, most recently in 2024, proving that they excel not only on the ranch and in the athletic arena but they make fantastic show dogs, too. And with their stunning coats and beguiling eyes, it’s no wonder!
17. They have Hollywood fans
Australian Shepherds have found their way into the homes of some of the biggest names in Hollywood, such as Susan Sarandon, Bruce Willis, Demi Moore, and Steven Spielberg.
18. They have a Shepherd’s smile
Australian Shepherds are among a select band of dogs that look like they are smiling. They sometimes even bare their teeth – in a friendly, non-aggressive way!
Are they imitating humans (they’re super-smart, so perhaps), or is this a conditioned behavior as we encourage them when they make this cute face?
19. They have a ‘wiggle butt’
All Aussie owners know about the “wiggle butt” dance of joy. Like most dogs, they wag their tail to express happiness, but they go so much further – their whole back end swings enthusiastically with this declaration of joy.
20. They suffer from separation anxiety
Australian Shepherd dogs like to be included in everything and, as a generalization, they do not take kindly to people going off and doing things without them. They are velcro dogs, who tend to cling to their human family and can cry and pace around if left alone. Of course, training and individual temperaments mean that not all Aussies will suffer, but it is something to consider.
21. Socialization is important to this breed
Australian Shepherds are by nature one of the shyer breeds around, so early socialization is all the more essential. Introduce them to people, other dogs, noises, and unfamiliar sights.
They bond brilliantly with their families but can be wary of strangers, so the more people – including kids – they meet, and regularly, when they are young, the more at ease they will be around humans.
22. They require mental stimulation
The downside of having an intelligent dog is that they are easily bored. They need an outlet for all that brainpower! Most pet Aussies won’t be expending their energy herding livestock but you need to give them a job.
This could be an active one such as agility or obedience, or teaching them tricks. There are plenty of games you can play at home such as making treasure hunts with treats. If they have too much time by themselves with nothing to do, providing some of the best dog puzzle toys will provide some mental stimulation.
23. They are agile and athletic
If you’ve ever witnessed an Australian Shepherd herding its flock, you’ll be in awe of just how agile these dogs are. They can stop on a dime and have superb acceleration and stamina to burn. They are also one of the fastest dog breeds with speeds topping 30mph.
This makes them perfect candidates for dog agility, where their athleticism coupled with their intelligence means they excel in competition.
24. They’re a cowboy’s dog of choice
Australian Shepherds are a common sight on the rodeo circuit. They are ideal ranch dogs, being able to round up any livestock with aplomb. They can keep up with horses and are strong, tough, and robust enough to control a large herd of cattle or flock of sheep.
And as they are an American breed – despite their Antipodean name and blend of European ancestors – they are the number one choice for a cowboy.
25. They have a high prey drive
Although they are not a hunting breed per se, the Australian Shepherd does typically have a high prey drive. They have strong visual instincts which means that they see an animal moving and feel compelled to pursue it, whether to capture or herd it.
They love chasing and nipping moving things, whether animals or kids! Of course, they can be trained not to do this, but be prepared for them to be one step ahead of you at spotting potential prey.
26. They are good at search and rescue
As befits a dog with such a high work ethic, agility, and intelligence, the Australian Shepherd is often trained for search and rescue, finding people in accidents and disasters. They can pretty much turn their paw to anything you want...
27. And make great therapy dogs
Australian Shepherds can be trained to make good therapy dogs and service dogs, helping people with disabilities or responding to various stimuli when their owner has an emergency, or even just acting as companion dogs.
However, for this they must be of an appropriate temperament, well socialized and trained, as some can be too energetic or a touch reserved. On the plus side, they are intelligent and empathetic, and with their strong work ethic, they tend to succeed in all manner of jobs.
28. They are adept at tricks
Australian Shepherds will eagerly learn a range of commands. As well as the usual “heel”, “sit” and “stay”, you can train them to do more fun tricks, such as shaking hands, high fives, jumping, playing dead or rolling over.
More advanced trainers can teach them to do complex tasks, such as stacking rings and shutting doors on command.
29. They are frisbee champions
Australian Shepherds might not be as naturally eager to fetch as the retriever breeds, but they are superb frisbee players! Australian Shepherds have won the Frisbee Dog World Championship more than any other breed, and the most famous Frisbee champ of all was the 1970s Aussie, Hyper Hank, who performed at the Super Bowl and the White House!
30. They are loyal to their owners
Australian Shepherds tend to be reserved and aloof with strangers, although they are rarely aggressive or shy – they just prefer their own humans.
As a pastoral breed, their primary interest is in protecting their own flock, so they are naturally suspicious of any intruders and may bark to alert you.
31. They come in a range of sizes
The standard Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog, with males standing at 20–23in and females slightly smaller at 18–21in.
However, there is also the Miniature American Shepherd, which is effectively a mini Australian Shepherd, about 6in smaller. The breed was fully accredited by the American Kennel Club in 2015 – it is also called the Miniature Australian Shepherd by the American Stock Dog Registry, but they are one and the same.
32. There are similar breeds
The Australian Shepherd is closely related to various European pastoral breeds, including collies and Border Collies, as well as sheepdogs from the Pyrenees. The Australian Shepherd is very similar physically to the Border Collie, with both being blessed with high intelligence.
When thinking about Australian Shepherds vs. Border Collies, the main differences are in their working methods, but in appearance, it can be hard to discern which is which, especially in the merle Borders, which is an Aussie hallmark.
Want to learn more? Here are our favorite interesting dog facts and here’s a list of other merle dog breeds
