A possible best friend

Australian Shepherd

Developed as an American ranch dog, the Australian Shepherd is an athletic, attentive worker with herding and guarding instincts and considerable enthusiasm for activity.

Puppy

Grown up

Illustrated puppy and adult examples.

Personality at a glance

Affection with family: 2 out of 3; Moderate tendency
Playfulness: 3 out of 3; Higher tendency
Child-friendly tendency: 3 out of 3; Higher tendency
Comfort with other dogs: 2 out of 3; Moderate tendency
Welcoming new people: 2 out of 3; Moderate tendency

Breed tendencies vary between dogs. Supervise children and dogs together. Cats and small pets need an individual compatibility assessment.

About these ratings

Our three levels group the AKC’s published five-point ratings: 1–2 becomes lower, 3 moderate, and 4–5 higher. The child rating describes young-child tendencies. These are general tendencies, not safety or compatibility guarantees.

AKC Australian Shepherd breed traits · Reviewed 8 October 2026

Meet connected mixes

Family connections

Aussiedoodle

Shared backgrounds, individual dogs. A mix name does not predict traits.

The beginning

Puppy days

Practice calm observation of people and animals from comfortable distances. Pair handling with rewards, teach settling, and provide toilet breaks and naps between lessons.

Your everyday

Adult life

Continue training and give adult energy a constructive outlet through suitable sports, walks or learned tasks. Manage herding around children and other animals.

Everyday care

Brush the weather-resistant double coat several times weekly and check feathering. Plan daily physical activity plus learning or problem-solving, with deliberate quiet time afterward.

Worth planning for: Herding and guarding instincts require management around moving children, other pets and visitors to the home.

Sources & reading

Reviewed 8 October 2026. Breed tendencies and mixed-background possibilities describe a starting point, not a promise about an individual dog.