Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale

overview of the Australian Shepherd Dog Breed

Are you looking for a medium-sized dog with beautiful coat markings, and love for running and activity, and a desire for close human companionship?

If this describes the next idea family member for your home, then browse our Australian Shepherd puppies for sale below!

Affectionately known as an “Aussie,” even though they didn’t originate from Australia, the Australian Shepherd brings a level of activity, high intelligence, and a natural herding instinct to every home it enters.

If your home has room for an active dog that loves human attention, you need to consider buying an Australian Shepherd puppy! 

If you are still looking for the perfect breed, check out our other puppy breeds for sale.

Australian Shepherd temperament

Herding: The breed was bred for herding, and it takes this natural tendency to more than just sheep or farm animals. It has been known to try and herd animals, and even people, using nips, barks, and other herding techniques.

Companion: Even though they are known for herding, Australian Shepherds are just as popular for their love for human attention and companionship. They love to hang out with people, especially their owners or others they know well!

Intelligent: The breed has a keen intelligence and can quickly be taught new things. If you start giving them consistent training and feedback as a puppy, they will grow to be an obedient and smart adult dog.

Active & Athletic: Adult Australian Shepherds love to run, and they have athletic bodies to back up their energy. Their agile and muscular form, combined with their energy and high stamina, make them great running dogs but not ideal for small, confined areas.

Alert & Protective: As part of the herding instinct, the breed has a wary eye for strangers or other intruders that pose a threat. They are quick to bark when something doesn’t feel right, and their first instinct is to protect whatever they are supposed to be guarding.

Vocal Nature: Australian Shepherds can be vocal dogs, and this trait may emerge during their puppyhood. They might bark to express their excitement, alertness, or desire for attention.

Trainability: These puppies are highly trainable due to their intelligence and eagerness to please. Positive reinforcement training methods work well with them, and they can excel in various canine sports and activities.

Remember that individual puppies can have variations in temperament and behavior. Proper training, socialization, and consistent care are essential for raising a well-rounded and well-behaved Australian Shepherd puppy.

Australian Shepherd Breed history

There are some unknowns about the exact history and breeds used to create today’s Australian Shepherd breed, but one thing is known:  The breed we have today originated from Europe, not Australia!

Although named in the United States, the breed’s early ancestors did not originate in the United States or Australia – they came from Europe, most likely in the Pyrenees Mountains region.

An indigenous group of people, called the Basques, developed a bloodline of herding dogs for their large flocks of sheep and cattle.  As Australia opened up to cattle ranchers, groups of the Basque people went to Australia to grow their herds and farms.

During this time, it is thought they bred their dogs with several various types of collies.  

After a few generations, groups of Basques began migrating to California in the 1800s.  As they settled into California, many of the nearby ranchers admired the herding dogs of the Basques.  

Assuming the dog breed had originated in Australia, these Californian ranchers incorrectly labeled them “Australian Shepherd Dogs,” not knowing their origins were mostly from Europe.

Since their arrival in California, the breed has been widely recognized as a staple on ranches, cattle farms, and living with cowboys.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) entered the breed into the Herding Group in 1993. 

Today you can find lots of delightful Australian Shepherd mixes, such as the Aussiedoodle, Mini Aussiedoodle, and Australian Mountain Doodle.

Australian Shepherd Average size

Adult Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized height and weight.  They typically stand 18-23’ tall at the shoulder and weight between 40 and 65 pounds.

Average Australian Shepherd lifespan

Australian Shepherds have a typical lifespan for dogs of 12-15 years.

Australian Shepherd body features

Australian Shepherds have a double-coat.  The inner coat is water-proof, and the outer coat is either straight or wavy and medium-long length.

Their coats often are multi-colored.  The primary color is often a shade of black, blue merle, red, red merle.  The coats are typically trimmed with white and/or copper.  

They are also known to have a wide range of different eye colors.

grooming Your Australian Shepherd Puppy

Australian Shepherds require regular grooming due to their medium coat length.  They also have a couple of heavy shedding seasons.

They should be brushed and groomed several times a week, and daily during their shedding season.  

If your dog has wavy or longer hair, make sure you remove all the loose hair, dirt, and other debris.  If these items are not removed, it causes tangles and more clots in the hair.

Keeping Your Australian Shepherd Puppy Healthy

The Australian Shepherd breed is generally healthy, and adults can usually remain healthy as long as they receive a daily 30-60 minutes of good exercise and don’t become overweight.

One thing to watch for as they age is ailments in the eye, such as cataracts.  Thankfully, this can sometimes be addressed with surgery.  As your dog ages, watch for cloudiness or a lack of vision in their regular activity.

Like all dog breeds, they are susceptible to hip and elbow dysplasia, two of the most common health issues among dogs.

Hip and elbow dysplasia occurs when the leg or hip becomes weakened, and it can result in arthritis or potential lameness if not addressed.

One of the best ways to prevent this is by keeping your dog from too much running on hard surfaces, especially when they are puppies.  

With their love to run, even the adults should have minimal running on pavement and concrete, and instead have access to yards, parks, and other softer terrain.

Typical Australian Shepherd Allergens

With their long, sometimes wavy hair, Australian Shepherds are not a breed known for being allergen-friendly.

Allergens are caused by dander, which is dead skin cells.  Any animal, including humans, are capable of shedding these dead cells.  While regular grooming helps reduce the loose hair (and therefore dander) from Australian Shepherds, they still produce many allergens.

If you have someone in your home with animal allergy concerns, it is good to consult your family physician before buying an Australian Shepherd puppy.

• How much exercise do Aussies need?
  Aussies need at least 30-60 minutes of high-intensity exercise per day. They won’t tire of more, either.
• Are Aussies protective?
  Aussies are not as protective as a hardcore watchdog breed, but they are loyal and will protect their families with surprising fierceness if seriously provoked.
• Do Aussies bark a lot?
  Aussies may bark for long periods of time if they do not get enough attention and stimulation. They do this out of boredom.
• Can an Aussie be an apartment dog?
  It’s not like you can never keep an Aussie in an apartment. But remember that they are energy bombs and may do better outside. If they become bored in your house they may become destructive and cause a lot of damage!
• Are Aussies easy to train?
  Aussies are smart and eager to please! If you are patient and firm they should be a breeze to train.
• Do Aussies have strong herding instincts?
  You bet they do! Aussies will try to herd anything and everything from kids to other pets to livestock.
• Are Aussies friendly to strangers?
  Because they were bred to be herding dogs, Aussies tend to be aloof with strangers and loyal to their families.
• Is an Aussie a good choice for a first-time owner?
  Aussies were bred to be pushy with livestock, so they may challenge your authority. They need a firm, confident owner, so they aren’t the best choice if you have never had a dog before.
• Will an Aussie wander off?
  Yes, if he gets a chance, your Aussie may dig under the fence and go looking for fun. They wander off particularly when they are bored.
• How do Aussies do with children and other pets?
  Aussies don’t want to hurt kids and pets, but they may try to herd them with small nips. You will need to teach your Aussie this is not acceptable. Your cat will probably teach the puppy itself.