Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale

Country of Origin:

United States

Available Puppies

0 Check back soon!

Share This Breed

Breed Characteristics

Average Size: Medium

Average Lifespan: 12-15 years

Kid/Pet Friendly: Sometimes

Registry: aca,akc

Activity Level: high

Shedding Level: moderate

Grooming Level: moderate

Trainability: high

Good For Novice Owners: moderate

Adaptability: moderate

Prey Drive: low

Watchdog: aware

Breed Information

Overview

A thinking dog, the Australian Shepherd likes to know what’s going on - and whether he can join in. They appreciate consistency, which often requires a regular schedule that provides them with structure. These pups are also highly protective. They regularly guard their families and behave warily towards strangers. Early exposure to other pets, children, and people will help them form friendly temperaments.

Although this breed is called an Australian Shepherd and can trace ancestors back to Australia and Europe, one of the facts about Australian Shepherds is that they originated in the United States. The Australian Shepherd's ancestors can be traced back to the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain.

This is the region occupied by the Basques who were known as world-class shepherds for centuries. The Pyrenean Shepherd was their preferred herding dog and is the ancestor of the modern Australian Shepherd. In the early 1800s, many Basques headed to Australia with their dogs to find rich pastures for cattle and wide-open space for sheep.

Along the way, the Basque shepherds further refined their dogs by crossing Pyrenean Shepherds with Collies, Border Collies, and other British imports. After shepherding and building herds in Australia, some Basques took their dogs and headed to California.

California ranchers were impressed with these new herding dogs and, assuming they were a breed from Australia, the dogs were called Australian Shepherds. It is from these dogs the modern Australian Shepherd was created in the United States. These dogs were popular on rodeo circuits and in cowboy culture.

The American Kennel Club recognized the Australian Shepherd as a member of the Herding Group in 1993. Aussies can still be found working as herding dogs in the American West and are even sometimes still rodeo performers. In addition to being beloved family companions and one of the most popular dog breeds, they also work as service dogs, therapy dogs, search-and-rescue dogs, drug detection dogs, and more.

Temperament

Australian Shepherds are loving and affectionate family dogs that like to know what’s going on - and whether they can join in. As long as they are properly socialized, they get along well with children, other dogs, and other pets. Aussies tend to feel right at home helping to herd animals, gather children, or, once trained, even pick up around the house or other jobs your dog can do at home. They may be initially wary of strangers and can be protective of their families, but they tend to warm up quickly once they are introduced.

Did You Know?

A famous Australian Shepherd was Hyper Hank. He performed an expertly-crafted frisbee routine with his owner, Eldon McIntire, in the 1970s. They performed this popular dog sport and routine across the country, winning contests and gaining fame. They even performed during Super Bowl XII as part of the pre-show!