Australian German Shepherd: Your Complete Guide
Australian German shepherds are a mix between the Australian shepherd and the German shepherd, a designer breed that is known for being loyal, energetic, and protective of his family. This active dog is becoming more popular due to their intelligence, easy trainability, and their role as a working dog.
If you are interested in adding an Australian German shepherd to your home, there are a few things that you should know about when it comes to taking care of this dog. Our complete guide will tell you all of the basics about the Australian German shepherd and what you need to know to properly care for and help this dog thrive.
Quick Look at the Australian German Shepherd
Below is a quick glance at this special breed in terms of their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.
| Weight/Height | 45 to 80 pounds, 20 to 25 inches |
| Coat Type | Straight, medium to long |
| Grooming Needs |  |
| Shedding |  |
| Temperament | Protective, loyal, intelligent |
| Good With Kids | |
| Good With Other Animals | |
| Intelligence |  |
| Easy to Train | |
| Energy Level | |
| Barking Habits | |
| Lifespan | 10 to 15 years |
What Is the History of Australian German Shepherds?
The Australian German shepherd comes from a mix of the Australian shepherd and the German shepherd, both working and herding breeds.
While the German shepherd originated in Germany for shepherding purposes, they quickly made their way to the United States, and they are found in many different working roles today due to their tenacity and eagerness to work alongside their owners. Despite its name, the Australian shepherd originated in the western United States to assist with cow herding.
The Australian German shepherd mix has unknown origins, as it’s hard to figure out when this dog was first bred. In recent years the Australian German shepherd mix has become more popular among active individuals and individuals who are looking for a reliable working dog.
This breed has a strong history of herding and is very intelligent, and they are well suited for life outdoors on farms or working alongside their owners and other roles.
It’s important to note that the Australian German shepherd is a newer designer crossbreed and there aren’t any breed standards for this dog as of right now. The Australian German shepherd is not recognized by any kennel clubs, but it is becoming more popular as a breed in general.
What Do Australian German Shepherds Look Like?
As with many mixed breed dogs, the Australian German shepherd will either look very much like an Australian shepherd, very much like a German shepherd, or like an equal mix of both of their parent dogs.
They will be medium to large in size, they will have a fairly strong-looking body, and they will have a longer snout and triangular ears. Their eyes will be dark, keen, and alert, and their fur will be medium to long.
The coat color of an Australian German shepherd may be a solid color, but it is more likely to have a stable or a bicolor pattern due to parental genetics. Common coat colors for the Australian German shepherd include black, blue, white, and brown.
What Size Is an Australian German Shepherd?
An Australian German shepherd will stand between 20 to 25 inches tall and weigh between 45 and 80 pounds. Depending on their specific size, they may be considered a medium sized or a large dog, and males are typically larger than females of this breed.
What Is an Australian German Shepherd’s Coat Type and Length?
The code of an Australian German shepherd it’s typically straight, soft, and sick. It may be medium to long in length depending on the genetics of the dog, and you may need to brush it several times a week to ensure that it stays in good shape.
What Is an Australian German Shepherd’s Temperament?
The Australian German shepherd is known for being loyal, intelligent, and dedicated to their owners. They are active and energetic, and they need ample amounts of exercise to stay happy.
Your Australian German shepherd won’t be much of a lap dog or a dog that is suited to an indoor lifestyle – they need to spend a significant amount of time outdoors exploring the world around them in order to stay mentally and physically stimulated.
Australian German shepherds are protective and faithful, and they are eager to please their owners. You can expect this breed to be attentive during training and to offer you their quiet companionship once they’ve gotten their energy out for the day.
Are Australian German Shepherds Good With Kids?
Australian German shepherds are generally good with children, as long as the children aren’t too young and know how to properly interact with the dog. These dogs enjoy spending lots of time outdoors playing, so if you have children who are old enough to play properly with your dog, this breed will integrate easily into your family.
Are Australian German Shepherds Good With Other Animals?
Australian German shepherds are generally good with other animals, but they must be properly socialized and introduced to different animals from a young age.
Because the Australian German shepherd has the genetics of a herding and hunting dog, they do have a high prey drive and they are prone to chasing small animals including cats, smaller dogs, and other animals you might have around your home, such as hamsters.
It’s important to monitor any interactions between your Australian German shepherd and other animals, and they shouldn’t be introduced to cats and left alone with them due to the high likelihood of them trying to chase smaller animals.
Are Australian German Shepherds Aggressive?
In general, the Australian German shepherd is not an overly aggressive breed. This dog may have more dominating personality traits than other dogs in your home, which can cause issues with biting, growling, and snapping.
Australian German shepherds can be aggressive towards strangers and intruders if they deem that the other person or dog is a threat to themselves or their owner. Proper training can help you curb any unwanted behavioral problems that you are Australian German shepherd is exhibiting.
Do Australian German Shepherds Bark?
Australian German shepherds aren’t a particularly vocal breed when they don’t need to be. This dog will bark to alert their owner to threats or intruders that they notice, and they are fairly on guard about protecting their homes. Behavioral issues might cause your Australian German shepherd to be more vocal, but these issues can usually be counteracted with training.
Are Australian German Shepherds Affectionate?
Australian German shepherds form strong bonds with their owners and they can be affectionate. They will likely enjoy always being in the same room with their owners, and they will enjoy cuddling up on the couch after a long day of being active and playing outdoors.
That being said this dog tends to have a more aloof and determined air about it and it might not be the best choice if you are looking for a cuddly lap dog.
Are Australian German Shepherds Intelligent?
Both German shepherds and Australian shepherds are fairly smart dogs, so it makes sense that the Australian German shepherd mixed breed is also quite intelligent. These dogs are curious and eager to learn about the world around them, and they are happy when they are constantly being challenged with learning new things and exploring new areas.
Are Australian German Shepherds Energetic?
Australian German shepherds are a high energy dog, and they need lots of exercise in order to stay happy. This breed will be happy to spend all day outdoors running around and working alongside their owners, and if you are adopting them as a family companion, they will need two to three long walks per day in addition to lots of outdoor playtime.
Making sure your dog is properly socialized and taking them to dog parks often so they can run around and spend time with other dogs is also important to help meet their exercise needs.
Are Australian German Shepherds Easy to Train?
German shepherds are easy to train as they are quite intelligent, and they love learning new things. These dogs are eager to please their owners and they will enjoy the mental challenge of training sessions, especially when training sessions are consistent. This dog is curious and they will be able to learn complex tasks if necessary.
Are Australian German Shepherds Good Watchdogs?
Australian German shepherds do make good watchdogs because they are very keen, observant, and protective of their owners and their homes. They have a loud bark which they will use to alert their owners of an issue or a detected intruder, and they have the size and appearance that could scare away someone who does mean harm.
Are Australian German Shepherds Good Service Dogs?
Australian German shepherds do make good service dogs as they are intelligent and have the size and strength needed to complete essential service dog tasks. You can expect this dog to learn more complex tasks, and they have the ability to support their owners physically as needed.
The Australian German shepherd loves to be mentally challenged and to work alongside their owners, so as long as their exercise needs are met, they fit well into the role of a service dog, including a psychiatric service dog. An Australian German shepherd may also be a good fit for acting as an emotional support animal or a therapy dog depending on their personality.
How to Care for an Australian German Shepherd?
Caring for your Australian German shepherd involves ample amounts of exercise, time spent training and working alongside your dog, and providing them with a comfortable place to live in your home.
This dog is active, and they enjoy spending almost all of their time outdoors, so you will need to be able to provide them with access to fenced-in outdoor areas in addition to taking them to dog parks and other outdoor spaces where they can explore.
Your Australian German shepherd shouldn’t be left alone for more than eight hours at a time, as they do enjoy socialization and spending time with their families.
Provide your Australian German shepherd with their own bed and toys to keep them active while you are out of the house, and make sure that they are well trained before you leave them alone with any smaller animals for long periods of time.
You will need to brush your Australian German shepherd’s coat a few times a week to make sure it stays in top condition, feed them and nutritious diet of wet or dry food, and take them for regular veterinary visits to ensure that they stay healthy and happy throughout their lives with you.
Do You Need to Groom an Australian German Shepherd?
How long your Australian German shepherd’s coat is depends on how extensive their grooming needs will be. This breed may have a medium or long coat, and their coat may be quite thick.
You will need to brush your Australian German shepherd a few times a week to ensure their coat stays looking and feeling its best. Professional grooms may be necessary every so often to keep your dog’s coat in top shape.
Do Australian German Shepherds Shed?
Despite their longer coats, Australian German shepherds are not known to be prolific shedders. Their coat is quite thick and will need to be brushed regularly to remove any loose fur, and the coat of the Australian German shepherd is not considered hypoallergenic.
What Health Problems Do Australian German Shepherds Have?
Like many other dogs, the Australian German shepherd is prone to certain health conditions based on their genetics. Health problems that may commonly be seen in Australian German shepherds include hip and elbow dysplasia, eye problems, and epilepsy.
Take your dog for regular veterinary visits to ensure that they are in good health throughout their lives and to catch any health issues before they become more serious.
How Long Do Australian German Shepherds Live?
On average, an Australian German shepherd will live between 10 and 15 years. You can ensure your dog lives a long healthy life by providing them with plenty of nutritious food, ample exercise, and regular veterinary visits.
What Should an Australian German Shepherd Eat?
Exactly how much your Australian German shepherd should eat depends on their specific size and caloric needs.
In general, you can expect this dog to eat anywhere between one and a half cups to three cups of food per day, split into two to three meals. You can feed your Australian German shepherd dry food, wet food, or a mix of these two foods, depending on their needs. Speak to a veterinarian for more information about feeding your Australian German shepherd.
Is an Australian German Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?
The Australian German shepherd is a lively, active, and loyal dog. They are intelligent, and they require ample amounts of exercise and training in order to stay mentally and physically stimulated.
This dog breed might be the right one for you if you have ample time to dedicate to training and exercising with them, if you are looking for a dog to work alongside you outdoors, or if you have an active lifestyle and want a faithful companion to keep you company.