Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale

History of the Australian Shepherd

You may be surprised to hear that the Australian Shepherd hails not from Australia, but from California. The breed originated as a herding dog by Spanish shepherds to manage their flocks. These shepherds brought their dogs from Australia and New Zealand, where they had first moved before settling in the United States.

Given the varied history of this breed, it goes by many names. Popularly known as the Australian Shepherd, this dog breed is also called Aussie, Spanish Shepherd, California Shepherd, and Blue Heeler.

Experts debate which ancestor breeds were used to develop the Australian Shepherd. However, most believe that Collies from Australia and Basque Shepherd Dogs from Spain played a part in the breed's creation. Today, this energetic breed is used widely as a family dog, for herding on farms, and even for police work, particularly search and rescue missions, given the breed's energetic and loyal temperament.

Color & Types of Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd is a medium sized dog breed. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) breed standard, Aussies stand 18-23 inches tall and weigh between 40-60 lb. Miniature Australian Shepherds are recognized as a separate breed altogether, standing at 14-17 inches and weighing 20-40 lb.

Standard and Mini Australian Shepherds are known for their distinctly variable coat colors. The officially recognized Aussie coat colors are Blue, Blue Merle, Red, and Red Merle. The merle pattern is particularly common, whereby the coat color shows patches of faded and solid color. These colored and white markings make it such that each Aussie has a unique color pattern.

You may have seen that some Australian Shepherd puppies have different colored eyes. This is due to the same merle gene, which can lead to color variations between the two eyes, also known as heterochromia.

Are Australian Shepherds Good Family Dogs?

Australian Shepherds make wonderful family dogs. This loving breed is known for its good-natured personality. In fact, Aussies enjoy playing with young children and older kids alike, making them good companions for families with children.

These loyal companions require a lot of exercise. This is the case for both Standard and Mini Aussies. These dogs make great matches for active families who like to spend time outdoors. Some of the activities you can perform with your Aussie include hiking and playing sports like frisbee.

The Australian Shepherd breed sheds regularly throughout the year as it has a dense double coat. This can release dander in the air and is not best for families with allergic members or with asthma. If shedding or allergies are a concern for you, consider a mixed Aussie breed such as the Aussiedoodlewhich shed less frequently.

Can Australian Shepherds Live in Apartments?

The Australian Shepherd is a high energy breed that is best raised in larger homes with outdoor space. Aussies were bred to herd flock, and so it is in their nature to run and roam freely. However, Australian Shepherds can certainly adapt to small space living if provided sufficient exercise and activity.

If you live in an apartment or home without outdoor space, it is critical that you regularly exercise your furry friend. This breed loves outdoor activities, and especially enjoys exploring open space. Consider having your Aussie join you for your daily run, visits to the park, or games of soccer, volleyball, or frisbee.

While Mini Australian Shepherds are smaller in size, they have the same energy level as the Standard Australian Shepherd and make a good fit for active, energetic owners.

Australian Shepherds bark frequently, which can be troublesome for your neighbors. They can bark when playing or if they are scared, alerted, or taken by surprise. If you live in an apartment or barking is of concern to you, consider early training of your Aussie puppy to keep this instinct in control.

How Much Do Australian Shepherds Cost?

Australian Shepherd puppies for sale can vary in price, from $1,000 to $4,000 on average. The median price of puppies posted on Mawoo Pets for this breed is $2,000. As with any breed, the price of puppies can vary depending on the breeder's experience and health guarantees, location of the breeder, and size and color of the puppy.

Finding a Reputable Aussie Breeder

When looking for an Australian Shepherd, first consider adopting from your nearby shelter or rescue. There are many abandoned dogs in need of loving homes, and you can bring joy to a pet's life by giving him or her a new home.

Reputable Australian Shepherd breeders are careful in selecting and raising their breeding stock. An ethical breeder ensures that their breeding moms and studs are genetically tested to screen for health issues such as hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. Responsible breeders also pay regular visits to the veterinarian to check the health of their breeding parents and puppies.

Beware of puppy mills and backyard breeders! These breeders can mask their unethical practices through classified listings that hide the truth of what happens at their facilities. Not only do these breeders contribute to an overpopulation of dogs, but they can also fail to catch genetic diseases or health problems that affect the quality of your puppy's life.

At Mawoo Pets, we pride ourselves on only working with the best Australian Shepherd breeders. Our network of 1,000+ breeders have been vetted for health, safety, and socialization practices, giving you security and confidence when finding the right puppy for your family.

Our breeders span every US state, from Ohio, to Pennsylvania, to North Carolina. You can find your furry companion by browsing our available pups in each state, for example Aussie puppies for sale in California.