The name is misleading. The Australian Shepherd is American rather than Australian, and no dog to fit around the edges of life. Anyone who has watched an Aussie keep a group of children together in a field understands what lies within: herding instinct, stamina and an alert eye for anything that moves.
| FCI | Group 1 (Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs), Section 1 Sheepdogs, Standard No. 342, without working trial |
|---|---|
| Country of origin | USA |
| Size (height at the withers) | preferred: males 51 to 58 cm, females 46 to 53 cm |
| Weight | not specified in the FCI standard |
| Life expectancy | no reliable study figure found (N/A) |
| Coat | medium-length, straight to wavy, weather-resistant, with undercoat varying by climate |
| Colours in the standard | blue merle, black, red merle and red, each with or without white and copper markings; no colour is preferred |
Origins
According to the FCI standard, the breed developed exclusively in the USA. Its name probably comes from Basque shepherds who arrived in America from Australia around 1800, bringing their dogs. Aussies became popular after the Second World War through Western riding, rodeos and films. Farmers valued their intelligence, herding instinct and willingness to work.
Temperament
The standard calls it an intelligent working dog with strong herding and guarding instincts, a loyal companion, even-tempered and good-natured, initially somewhat reserved with strangers. With its own people, it is very affectionate. Without a job, it finds one, sometimes involving joggers, cyclists or children.
Exercise and activities
More than two hours a day, with mental work as well as distance: herding, obedience, agility and trick training. Deliberately practising rest matters just as much. An Aussie that never learnt to switch off becomes fitter with more exercise, not calmer.
Grooming
The medium-length coat needs brushing once or twice a week, more often during shedding. The feathering on the hind legs and neck ruff otherwise mat easily. Look twice behind the ears. The standard describes a natural tail, a naturally bobbed tail or a docked tail, the latter only in countries without a docking ban. In Germany, docking is generally prohibited under Section 6 of the German Animal Welfare Act.
Health
Two issues need addressing before purchase. First, MDR1: Washington State University gives an MDR1 mutation frequency of around 50 per cent for Australian Shepherds. Affected dogs are sensitive to certain drugs, including loperamide. Only a genetic test provides clarity, and the result belongs in the vaccination record. Second, merle: mating two merle dogs can produce puppies with two copies of the merle gene, often causing deafness or eye damage. Responsible breeders mate merle dogs only with solid-coloured dogs.
Who is an Australian Shepherd right for?
Active people with dog experience or a strong desire to learn, with plenty of daily time for exercise and training, ideally including dog sports.
Who is it less suitable for?
Quiet households wanting mainly a companion for short walks, and families with very young children if nobody can guide the herding instinct.
For more detail on MDR1 and merle, read our Australian Shepherd breed profile. Check whether it fits your daily life in the breed quiz or with our book “Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir?” (book in German). For the first weeks, there is the free Puppy Starter Pack. Your Aussie as a magazine cover on canvas and much more: Australian Shepherd portraits and gifts.
Further reading
- Australian Shepherd: what MDR1 and merle mean for you
- Border Collie: when the cleverest dog has no job
- Puppy training: the 5 rules that really work
Sources, accessed on 20.10.2026: FCI-Standard Nr. 342 Australian Shepherd (fci.be, version dated 16.06.2012); Washington State University, College of Veterinary Medicine, Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory: MDR1 in Dogs (waddl.vetmed.wsu.edu).
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