The Australian Shepherd is best suited for beginners. He needs little grooming and is very trainable. This dog breed is an ideal family dog, as it can delight everyone with its friendly and loyal nature. The Australian Shepherd is also very open-minded towards children and an ideal playmate for them.
To keep your Australian Shepherd busy, you should provide him with a garden and plenty of exercise, variety and activity.
Typical breed characteristics of the Australian Shepherd
- Character: affectionate, intelligent, eager to work, alert
- Size: Male 51 – 58 cm; female 46 – 53 cm
- Weight: 16 to 32 kilograms
- Colours: Red merle, blue merle, black, red
- Life expectancy: 12 – 15 years
The Australian Shepherd is a very athletic breed of dog that can do wonderful things such as hiking, obstacle course running, jogging and cycling.
Its maximum height is 58 cm and its maximum weight is 32 kilograms.
The life expectancy of an Australian Shepherd is about 15 years.
Especially due to its loving and good-natured character, the Australian Shepherd is wonderful as a family dog.
The Australian Shepherd also enjoys working as a herding dog and is very popular in Europe, which also has to do with its beautiful appearance.
Typical diseases associated with this breed include hip problems, MDR1 and cataracts.
Education and care
The Australian Shepherd is a very trainable dog breed, which is ideally suited as a herding dog if well trained. Should he not be used as a herding dog, it is important that appropriate activity is provided in the form of extensive walks through nature or other challenges in dog sports.
In the countryside in a large house the Australian Shepherd feels most at home and should not be kept in a small flat in the big city.
The Australian Shepherd’s eagerness to work means that he must be kept busy around the clock. Especially the balance between rest and activity is not easy to achieve with this breed. This requires a lot of time, patience and empathy.
When grooming an Australian Shepherd, it is necessary to brush the coat daily to remove loose hair from the coat.
It is also important to check the ears, paws, claws and teeth regularly. This will not only improve your dog’s appearance, but will also strengthen the bond between the two of you.
The Aussie needs a lot of exercise and variety from his owner – not everyone can offer this.
Who is the Australian Shepherd suitable for?
The Australian Shepherd needs an owner who can train him well and give him enough challenging tasks.
Likewise, the Australian Shepherd requires a lot of time and should not be kept by working or elderly people. Being alone for hours in a flat is not for the Australian Shepherd. He needs a lot of exercise and exercise and feels very comfortable in a large family, which he can also protect and herd.
In our current article, we tell you what monthly costs you have to reckon with when keeping a dog: What does a dog cost per month?
The Australian Shepherd is very open-minded towards children and is an ideal playmate for them.
This dog breed needs a lot of exercise and is very good at sports such as jogging, cycling or even hiking.
But the owner should also have mental tasks left for his dog, such as tracking or mantrailing.
Because of his urge to move, the Australian Shepherd should ideally live in a large yard, which he can protect all day.
How much dog experience should I have for an Australian Shepherd?
An Australian Shepherd’s temperament and willingness to please will suit you even if you do not have much dog experience. However, this is only true if you are willing to exercise him and keep learning.
Their intelligence ensures that they learn quickly, but they will also take advantage of your tiredness or inconsistency. So be very disciplined about setting boundaries and your Australian Shepherd will always look up to you happily, whether you’re hiking or sitting at your desk in the home office.
Also, always have plan B ready for what you would do if your Aussie is on your case.
If you are willing to be active and take him to dog school, the Aussie is the ideal dog for you.
Which dog breeds make good family dogs?
With such a wide variety of dog breeds, there are some dogs that would make a good family dog.
Not all of them have these characteristics, but you might like one that makes you say, “Yes, I could imagine us having this dog!
- Small dog breeds: Beagle
Beagles are extremely fond of children, friendly, even-tempered and also have a strong sense of self-confidence. Weighing between 10 and 18 kg, they belong to the small dog breeds. They appear bright, playful, agile and are particularly intelligent. Their short coat does not require any special care.
- Small dog breeds: Chihuahua
The Chihuahua, which comes from Mexico, weighs between 1.5 and 3 kg and fits into any waistcoat pocket. With its lively nature, it appears extremely self-confident, spirited, courageous and curious. Chihuahuas are also known for their affection. This dog breed is a real couch snuggler with both long and short fur.
- Small dog breeds: Maltese
The small Maltese weighs 3 to 4 kg. This makes it one of the mini dog breeds and makes it particularly suitable for keeping in smaller living areas. The Maltese city dog is intelligent, alert and spirited. He is also lively, eager to learn and playful. Finally, his affectionate nature makes him ideally suited as a family dog. With its medium length coat, it has somewhat higher grooming needs. Regular grooming may be necessary.
- Medium-sized dog breeds: Dalmatian
101 Dalmatians – who doesn’t know the film? Children love the spotted four-legged friends. And rightly so! At 24 to 32 kg, they belong to the medium-sized dog breeds. They are extremely spirited, which is why they are less suitable for small children, but very suitable for older ones. They are also cuddly, attentive, loyal and agile. Their sensitive nature makes them a true comforter of souls. They are also known for their affection and intelligence. Due to their short coat length, no special grooming is required.
- Medium-sized dog breeds: Labrador Retriever
Things get a little bigger with a 25 to 36 kg Labrador. This people-oriented four-legged friend delights with its playful character, good nature and bright disposition. Labradors are particularly loyal and reliable. They have a short coat that requires little time to groom.
The following breeds are also suitable:
- Doberman
- Hovawart
- Yorkshire Terrier
- Cavalier King Charles Spaniel
- Poodle
- Pug
When choosing a dog breed, bear in mind that every dog has its own character and that there are also dogs that belong to a suitable dog breed but are still not suitable for the job of a family dog.
