California ranchers admired the Basques\u2019 herding dogs and assumed they were an Australian breed\u2014thus the misleading name Australian Shepherd. California ranchers admired the Basques' herding dogs and assumed they were an Australian breed' thus the misleading name Australian Shepherd. California ranchers admired the Basques' herding dogs and assumed they were an Australian breed' thus the misleading name Australian Shepherd. Based on a sample of 48 still-living dogs, the most common health concerns noted by owners were eye problems (red eye, epiphora, conjunctivitis, and cataracts). A 2024 UK study found a median life expectancy of 13.7 years based on a sample of 62 deaths, which was above the median of 12.7 years for purebreeds and 12 years for crossbreeds. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, athletic breed; they typically stand between 18 and 23 inches (46 and 58 cm) and weigh between 35 and 70 pounds (16 and 32 kg). In 2024 it was ranked by the American Kennel Club as the 12th most popular breed of dog in the United States. It is sometimes claimed that the Basque Shepherd Dog and the Pyrenean Sheepdog were also among the ancestors of the breed. Australian Shepherds also thrive when engaging in competitive dog sports, especially agility trials and canine disc games. Hang out with your dog for at least an hour or two every day—long hikes are a perfect activity. An active Aussie is a happy Aussie—lots of exercise is a nonnegotiable for this breed! Treats are still important for training, so your vet will help you find a healthy ratio; treats should never make up more than 10% of a dog’s daily calories. Choose a complete and balanced diet that’s AAFCO-compliant for your dog’s life stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Australian law does not provide for any racial or ethnic component of nationality, instead relying on citizenship as a legal status, though the Constitutional framers considered the Commonwealth to be "a home for Australians and the British race alone", as well as a "Christian Commonwealth". These are well established and widely accepted generalizations about the breed. It should be noted that these claims are traditional and widely accepted generalizations about the breed, and the behavior of individual Australian Shepherds may differ. This combination can prove too demanding for owners who cannot devote hours every day to interacting with their dog. The breed is subject to some eye diseases, including cataracts. As migration progressed to the American West, the dogs found footing in California, where locals mistakenly assumed Australia was their place of origin. As people from the Basque region settled in Australia during the 19th century, they brought these working dogs with them. So, they’re usually better suited for someone who’s had dogs before. Australian Shepherd dogs need plenty of time to run, walk, play, and train with you. Even active dogs can become obese if they take in more calories than they burn. As double-coated dogs—meaning they have longer guard hairs on top of a softer undercoat—they need brushing tools that can reach that lower layer. As hearty dogs originally bred for life on the farm or ranch, Aussies are relatively rough-and-tumble pups that need outlets for their high energy, sharp minds, and desire to do things. "It has a high need for exercise and mental stimulation. You need to be willing to go to obedience competitions or agility or fly ball or something that is going to engage the dog both mentally and physically." Because of their activity needs, Aussies aren't the best match for apartment living unless you're able to get outside for a stimulating walk, hike, or game of Frisbee at the dog park for at least 40 minutes every day. You don't have to own an acreage to keep an Aussie happy—though that might be an ideal set-up for this active breed! They typically will shy away from strangers, preferring to stick to their owner's side—earning the affectionate moniker of a "Velcro dog." As they were bred to be protective, they'll sound the alarm at the sight of strangers. Because these pups historically spent hours alongside their owners in the fields herding sheep and cattle, they require ample daily exercise, mental stimulation, and obedience training to be their happiest. The thought was that keeping the tail shorter would help prevent injuries out in the fields as they worked, but the American Veterinary Medical Association no longer recommends tail docking and considers it a purely cosmetic procedure that may actually do more harm than good. The largest statistical grouping of European Australians are Anglo-Celtic Australians, Australians whose ancestors originate wholly or partially in the British Isles. Prior to the introduction of Australian citizenship, Australians had the status of "British subjects". Large-scale immigration occurred following a series of gold rushes in the 1850s and after the First and Second World Wars, with many post-World War II migrants coming from Southern Europe, Eastern Europe and The Middle East. Since the postwar period, Australia has pursued an official policy of multiculturalism and has the world's eighth-largest immigrant population, with immigrants accounting for 30 percent of the population in 2019. The Australian shepherd is considered an overall healthy breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 years, though certain issues like elbow and hip dysplasia and hereditary eye problems can occur. With a dog as energetic and smart as the Aussie, it's equally important to care for your dog's mental needs as well as their physical ones. While it is not recommended to shave your Aussie, since their coat may not grow back the same and it disrupts the dog's ability to regulate their temperature, you may want to check with your vet or a groomer for tips on trimming the longer hairs around the ears or along your pup's rear end. Aussies are a great match for active owners who plan to spend quality time with their dog, whether that means a multi-day outdoor adventure or simply riding along on an errand run. As an affectionately nicknamed "Velcro dog," Aussies prefer being with their people for most of the day, and may not be the best fit for someone who works long hours due to potential separation anxiety. While the average owner probably won't be taking this dog to herd livestock out on the farm, many professionally-trained Aussies work in search-and-rescue, narcotic detection, and guide dog roles.
