Australian Shepherd Puppies: What Buyers Should Know
Australian Shepherds, often called Aussies, are intelligent, energetic herding dogs originally developed in the United States. They are athletic, highly trainable, and often thrive in active homes where they receive plenty of physical exercise and mental stimulation.
Australian Shepherds can make excellent companions, but they are not the right breed for every household. Their energy, herding instincts, grooming needs, and need for training should all be considered before bringing one home.
Because Australian Shepherds are popular and can command high prices, they are also sold through commercial breeders, online puppy-selling websites, brokers, and other high-volume sellers. That makes it especially important to research the breeder before buying.
Due to their intelligence and high energy personalities, Aussies do not like to be left alone for long periods of time. Aussie’s are known to have several common health issues with their eyes, elbow dysplasia and sometimes hip issues. Some Aussies experience deafness.
While Australian Shepherds make great family pets, it’s their popularity and high prices that make them an attractive business model for unscrupulous dog breeders. They are sold online by USDA commercial dog breeders, online puppy broker websites, and backyard breeders otherwise known as puppy mills.
It is for this reason that our Puppy Mill Watchdog monitors and reports on Australian Shepherd breeders and other online puppy sellers as well as puppy broker websites.
Read the story of four rescued breeding dogs.
Please do your research before you buy an Australian Shepherd puppy. Meet the puppy in person, meet the mother dog, and see where she and the breeder’s other dogs live. Photos, videos, and video chats do not replace seeing the breeder and dogs in person.
About the Breed: Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd can weigh between 40 and 65 pounds. They are considered a medium sized dog and are between 18 and 23 inches tall.
Weight: 40–65 pounds
Height: 18–23 inches
Life expectancy: about 12–13 years
Temperament: intelligent, energetic, alert, and strongly herding-oriented
Coat: medium-length double coat; straight or wavy
Colors: blue merle, black, red, and red merle
Grooming: regular brushing and coat maintenance
Training: early, consistent positive training is important
Vet Care: Regular vet care is essential for the health and well-being of your Australian Shepherd.
Types of Australian Shepherds
FAQ’s About Buying Australian Shepherd Puppies Online
When buying an Australian Shepherd puppy, you want to make sure it was born in a loving clean environment. The puppy should have an overall healthy look to him. Make sure his eyes are bright, he is clean and happy. Look at his body language make sure his tail is up and wagging. Is his posture good? Does he hold his head up, is he curious? Does he run up to you or is he afraid to approach you?
Buying a puppy from a picture is risky, always meet your new puppy in person before you buy him. These are all clues to his overall health and mental state. You want a happy well adjusted puppy and unless you meet them in person, you have no way of knowing.
Online listings may show you the puppy without showing you the breeder, the mother dog, or the conditions where the dogs live. Before paying a deposit, verify the breeder’s identity, meet the puppy and mother dog in person, and visit the property where the dogs are kept.
The internet can be useful for researching breeders, but a website or puppy listing should not replace an in-person visit. Avoid sellers who will only ship or deliver the puppy and will not allow you to meet the mother dog or see where the breeder’s dogs live.
Start with the Australian Shepherd Club of America and look for breeders who follow a breed-club code of ethics and perform appropriate health testing. Then verify the breeder independently. Meet the mother dog, see where the dogs live, and ask for documentation of health testing before committing to a puppy.
Puppy mills and other high-volume commercial breeding operations may prioritize producing puppies over the long-term welfare of breeding dogs. Conditions vary, but documented concerns can include repeated breeding, limited socialization, crowded housing, inadequate exercise, and insufficient veterinary care.
The most important thing for a buyer is not the label a breeder uses. If you cannot meet the mother dog and see where the breeder’s dogs live, find another breeder.