Breed guide

Australian Shepherd

Working herding breed. Insanely smart, needs a job, heavy shedder. MDR1 mutation means drug sensitivity — test and be careful.

AKC Rank

#12

Size

medium (40-65 lbs)

Life Expectancy

12-15 yrs

Activity

very high

Feeding a Australian Shepherd

Active herding breed. ~1,300-1,500 kcal/day for working dogs. Needs balanced protein for muscle.

Key nutrients

•high-quality protein
•omega-3
•taurine

Portion notes: Two meals daily; adjust for activity level.

Fresh food picks for Australian Shepherds

Our recommended fresh-food subscriptions for medium dogs.

fresh food

The Farmer's Dog

Fresh, human-grade food portioned for your dog

•Human-grade fresh food
•Portioned per dog
•Vet-developed recipes
•50% off first box

See The Farmer's Dog →

fresh food

Ollie

Fresh food with both cooked and baked recipes

•Fresh and baked recipes
•Turkey, beef, lamb, chicken proteins
•Custom portions
•60% off first box

See Ollie →

fresh food

Nom Nom

Restaurant-quality fresh food with microbiome testing

•Pre-portioned pouches
•Vet-formulated
•Microbiome testing available
•50% off first order

See Nom Nom →

fresh food

Spot & Tango

Fresh or UnKibble — whole-food nutrition, your choice

•Fresh or UnKibble options
•Human-grade ingredients
•Shelf-stable storage option
•50% off first order

See Spot & Tango →

First-year cost

What a Australian Shepherd actually costs year one

Breed-specific estimate based on size, health concerns, and grooming needs. Excludes purchase/adoption fees (highly variable).

First-year total

$3,305-$7,240

Ongoing years run $2,510-$5,480 (no gear + training one-times).

Food (year one)

Fresh food subscription

$1,450-$2,400

Gear (one-time)

Crate, bed, harness, bowls, toys

$320-$460

Vet care

Wellness + breed-specific

$660-$1,400

Grooming

high grooming needs

$400-$1,200

Training

Puppy class + supplies

$225-$750

Supplements

Breed-matched, optional

$0-$480

Other first-year

Vaccines, neuter, DNA test

$250-$550

Pet insurance (estimate)

Not included above — shown for planning. Breed-risk adjusted.

$681-$1,191/yr

Estimates based on US market averages for medium dogs. Your costs will vary with lifestyle and region.

Supplements for Australian Shepherds

Matched to this breed's common health concerns. All NASC-sealed.

supplements

Cosequin (Nutramax)

The #1 vet-recommended joint supplement

•#1 vet-recommended
•NASC Quality Seal
•Glucosamine + chondroitin
•Clinically studied

See Cosequin (Nutramax) →

Supplements support — they don't treat or cure disease. Talk to your vet for anything clinical.

Health concerns to watch

hip dysplasia

epilepsy

Collie Eye Anomaly

MDR1 drug sensitivity

cataracts

progressive retinal atrophy

MDR1 gene mutation causes sensitivity to certain drugs (ivermectin, loperamide). Get tested.

Needs 1-2 hours of intense physical AND mental exercise daily; bored Aussies become destructive.

Heavy double coat sheds year-round with two heavy blows per year.

Gear for Australian Shepherds

Breed-size-appropriate picks. Links go to Amazon.

Crate

for Australian Shepherds

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Harness

for Australian Shepherds

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Bed

for Australian Shepherds

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Collar

for Australian Shepherds

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Leash

for Australian Shepherds

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Slow feeder bowl

for Australian Shepherds

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Chew toy

for Australian Shepherds

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As an Amazon Associate, Barkly earns from qualifying purchases.

Training for Australian Shepherds

Matched to Australian Shepherd temperament (smart, work-oriented, exuberant).

training

GoodPup

1-on-1 virtual dog training with certified trainers

•1-on-1 live video sessions
•Certified trainers
•Custom per-dog plan
•Weekly structure

See GoodPup →

training

BAXTER & Bella

Online puppy training program, lifetime access

•Lifetime membership
•Self-paced video lessons
•Puppy + adult content
•Behavior troubleshooting

See BAXTER & Bella →

training

Dogo

App-based training with daily structure

•App-based daily plans
•AI-guided feedback
•Affordable monthly cost
•Trick training library

See Dogo →

GPS trackers for Australian Shepherds

Size-appropriate picks for tracking, activity monitoring, and escape alerts.

gps tracker

Fi

Smart collar with GPS + activity tracking

•Real-time GPS
•Activity + sleep tracking
•Escape alerts
•3-month battery

See Fi →

gps tracker

Tractive

Affordable GPS tracker with unlimited range

•Attaches to any collar
•Worldwide GPS coverage
•Activity monitoring
•Budget-friendly

See Tractive →

Curious about their DNA?

Confirm breed mix, check for genetic health risks, and get actionable insights.

dna

Embark

The most comprehensive dog DNA test

•350+ breeds identified
•250+ health conditions screened
•Cornell-partnered science
•Relatives finder

See Embark →

dna

Wisdom Panel

Breed identification + health screening

•350+ breeds
•Genetic health insights
•Budget-friendly option
•Fast results

See Wisdom Panel →

Common symptoms in Australian Shepherds

What to watch for, what causes it, and when to worry.

Anxiety & Separation Stress →

Whining, destruction, house-soiling, or panic when left alone — a real and treatable behav…

Australian Shepherd questions, answered

How long do Australian Shepherds live?▾

Australian Shepherds typically live 12-15 years. Good nutrition, regular vet care, and weight management are the three biggest factors in reaching the top of that range.

How big do Australian Shepherds get?▾

Adult Australian Shepherds typically weigh 40-65 lbs and stand 18-23 inches at the shoulder. That makes them a medium breed.

How much exercise does a Australian Shepherd need?▾

Australian Shepherds are a very high-activity breed. Plan on at least 2 hours of intense physical and mental stimulation per day. Mental stimulation (training, puzzle toys) matters as much as physical exercise.

What health problems do Australian Shepherds commonly have?▾

Australian Shepherds are most prone to: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, Collie Eye Anomaly, MDR1 drug sensitivity, cataracts. Preventive vet visits, a quality diet, and weight management reduce risk on most of these. Reputable breeders screen for the genetic conditions.

Are Australian Shepherds hard to groom?▾

Australian Shepherds need high grooming — daily brushing, regular professional grooming (every 4-8 weeks), coat maintenance. Their double coat sheds heavily, especially during two seasonal coat-blows per year.

What should I feed a Australian Shepherd?▾

Active herding breed. ~1,300-1,500 kcal/day for working dogs. Needs balanced protein for muscle. Key nutrients to look for: high-quality protein, omega-3, taurine.

Are Australian Shepherds good for first-time owners?▾

Australian Shepherds are better suited to experienced owners. They're smart, work-oriented, exuberant — traits that reward confident, consistent handling. First-time owners should budget for professional training.

Ask Barkly about your Australian Shepherd

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