Australian Shepherd
Breed Stats
Australian Shepherd Puppy Overview
Australian shepherds are energetic, intelligent, and always ready to play with their family members, and these dogs often make the perfect companions to active individuals and families looking for a dog that will interact nicely with children in the home.
Australian shepherds are an increasingly popular breed in the United States, and while they have historically been used to herd animals or help around farms, they are becoming more commonly seen as household pets.
If you are thinking about adding an Australian shepherd to your life, you may be wondering where to find this dog. After all, it’s unlikely that a purebred Australian shepherd will turn up in an adoption shelter or local rescue – these dogs are typically purchased from breeders. Australian shepherds are not the rarest dog breed around, so it likely won’t be very difficult to find a breeder for these dogs.
That being said, if you are very interested in adopting an Australian shepherd puppy instead, you can search for breed-specific rescues in your area. These rescues are dedicated to rehoming Australian shepherds in need, and you may be able to adopt a puppy or an older dog from one of these organizations.
How to Find Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale?
If you are searching for Australian shepherd puppies to buy, it’s important that you go through the proper channels for this. In general, it’s better to stay away from websites like Facebook Marketplace and Craigslist, as these websites tend to be more populated by unethical breeders and backyard breeding operations.
Buying an Australian shepherd puppy from an unethical source can result in accidentally supporting the poor treatment of animals and adding a puppy to your life that has genetic issues or other health problems as they age.
Instead, you can use word of mouth through trusted sources, such as friends and family who have worked with Australian shepherd breeders in your area, or you can use Dog Academy to search for Australian shepherd puppies for sale online.
Our convenient search tool takes the guesswork out of finding an Australian shepherd breeder, and we only feature puppies from breeders who are dedicated to the health and wellness of their animals. With Dog Academy, you can quickly locate the best breeders for Australian shepherd puppies near you, saving you time and stress as you navigate the puppy purchasing process.
How to Find a Good Australian Shepherd Puppy Breeder?
When you start your search for an Australian shepherd puppy breeder, it’s important to keep in mind red flags and green flags that can indicate whether or not a breeder is worth working with.
In general, reputable and ethical breeders will have no problem answering questions about the breed. They will communicate both the pros and cons of owning an Australian shepherd to you and show you around their breeding facilities. You may also receive information on the parent dogs and paperwork, and most reputable breeders ask purchasers to sign a contract for their puppy.
On the other hand, backyard breeders and unethical breeders will demonstrate a lack of knowledge about the breed. This may include being unable to answer any questions about the breed, not knowing the breed standard for Australian shepherds, and refusing to offer up any kind of paperwork.
You can also expect prices to be very outside of the average cost of an Australian shepherd puppy, in addition to a refusal to show you where the breeder’s animals are kept.
How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Puppy Cost?
Prices for Australian shepherd puppies range between $1,000 and $2,500, depending on the exact genetics of the dog you are adopting, your location, and any special factors of your puppy, such as a certain coat color. Keep in mind that prices that are much higher or much lower than this average may indicate a suspicious breeding practice.
You should also note that if you work with a breed-specific rescue or local adoption organization to adopt your Australian shepherd puppy, you may only need to pay a few hundred dollars for your dog.
Australian Shepherds For Sale
How to Care for an Australian Shepherd Puppy?
Caring for your Australian shepherd puppy is essential if you want your dog to live a long, happy life at your side. We recommend starting training and socialization early with this dog – not only do Australian shepherds need a fair amount of mental stimulation that training and socialization can provide, but training your dog and introducing them to new situations also helps them become adaptable and well-behaved as they age.
Your Australian shepherd will need two to three long walks each day, in addition to dedicated playtime for at least 30 minutes to an hour each day. Australian shepherds are very high-energy dogs, and they can become anxious or destructive if they do not have their physical and mental stimulation needs met. It’s a good idea to take your pup on regular outdoor adventures so they can get their fill of exercise at your side.
You will need to brush your Australian shepherd a few times a week to keep its coat free of tangles and to remove any loose fur. Bathing can be done as needed, and if you plan on taking your Australian shepherd to a professional groomer, you should introduce them to this young so they can grow accustomed to the process.
Feed your Australian shepherd a healthy diet of wet or dry dog food based on their size and caloric needs, and make sure to take into account your dog’s active lifestyle. A vet can help you if you have questions about feeding your dog.
Is It a Good Idea to Buy an Australian Shepherd Puppy As Your First Dog?
An Australian shepherd puppy can be a good choice for a first dog, as long as you are dedicated to meeting this pup’s high energy and mental stimulation needs. Australian shepherds are historically herding dogs, and these pups need lots of activity to stay healthy and happy.
New owners who have not previously owned a highly active dog may find this overwhelming, which is why it is important to think about your dog’s exercise routine and how it might fit into your lifestyle.
Fortunately, Australian shepherds can be trained easily, and they are fairly loyal and eager to please, which makes them a good choice for first-time owners. However, this breed can become destructive if they grow bored or if they start to develop anxiety issues, which can happen if you leave your dog alone for more than six to eight hours at a time.
You can also rest assured that an Australian shepherd is the right choice as a family dog, as these pups are typically gentle with children. Keep in mind that, as a herding dog, your Australian shepherds might try to herd smaller children, which is something you should keep an eye on as you and your dog start your life together.
Buy the Right Australian Shepherd Puppy for You
As you start the process of searching for an Australian shepherd puppy to purchase, you might be overwhelmed by your options and confused about where to start. Fortunately, Dog Academy is here to point you in the right direction when it comes to finding a reliable Australian shepherd breeder who puts the health and wellness of their dogs first.
Use our Australian shepherd puppy search tool to find adoptable puppies near you, and search for local shelters or Australian shepherd rescues in your area if you are interested in adopting a loving Australian shepherd and providing them with a forever home.
