Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale

Some Aussies are born with a natural bobtail, some have docked tails, and some keep a full tail. About one in five Aussies is born with a natural bobtail. Docking began as a ranch practice to protect working dogs from injury and infection, not for looks.

Males are bigger, at 20–23 in against 18–21 in for females, and they usually carry a fuller mane and frill. Pawrade Australian Shepherd placements are split almost evenly between males and females.

Despite the name, the breed was developed in the western United States. It takes its name from its link with Basque shepherds who arrived from Australia.

Aussies tend to be protective of their family and home, and somewhat reserved with strangers. Early socialization keeps that protectiveness from turning into aggression.

Aussies bark a moderate amount. A bored Aussie can become destructive, so daily exercise and brain work keep it content.

Every Aussie has moderate to high energy, so plan on daily exercise and brain work whichever puppy you choose. Working-line Aussies tend to be more energetic and need more to do, so ask the breeder whether a puppy comes from working lines.

Aussies do well with children when an adult supervises. Many will try to herd young children, so supervise play and socialize the puppy early. Breeders report socializing 88% of Pawrade Australian Shepherd litters with older children and 82% with younger children.

Aussies are usually fine with cats when they meet them as puppies. Expect the herding instinct to target other pets, so supervise early meetings.

For an active family that wants a dog in the middle of everything, an Aussie is a loyal, good-natured companion. Among Pawrade Australian Shepherd buyers, most have a yard, about a third have children at home and more than a third already have a dog.

Plan on at least an hour or two of vigorous activity a day, plus a job or brain work such as training, herding games or dog sports. Working-line Aussies tend to need even more to do.

A house with a yard suits the breed best. Apartment life can work only with constant company, plenty of daily exercise and training.

Aussies do best with someone home for much of the day, because they do not like being left alone long and often. A lonely, bored Aussie can become destructive, so plan company, exercise and something to think about.

Dock jumping and diving are among the dog sports Aussies compete in, alongside herding, agility and obedience.

Breeders report getting 83% of Pawrade Australian Shepherd litters used to car or truck rides before the puppies go home.

An Aussie makes a good running partner once it is fully grown. Until then, keep exercise low-impact while the joints are still growing.

Aussies are moderate to heavy shedders, and no dog is truly hypoallergenic. They shed all year, with heavier seasonal sheds of the undercoat.

Brush once or twice a week, and use an undercoat rake every 2–3 days in shedding season. Bathe only occasionally, never shave the double coat, and keep up with nails, ears and teeth.

Aussies learn very quickly, but they get bored with repetition and can out-think a first-time owner. Short, varied sessions with games, food and praise work best.

The breed was developed as an all-purpose ranch dog, herding sheep and cattle and guarding the homestead. Working-line Aussies tend to be more energetic than companion lines and need more to do.

Aussies compete in herding, agility, obedience, rally, tracking, dock jumping, scent work, flyball and disc. At home, treibball, a game of herding big balls, plus box games, disc catching and trick training use the same instincts.

A common rule of thumb is that a puppy can hold its bladder for about as many hours as its age in months. A 3-month-old, for example, can usually wait about 3 hours. The rule works up to about 9 months to 1 year, and every puppy is different. Take your puppy out first thing in the morning, after naps and last thing at night.

Your Aussie is most likely in adolescence, a normal phase when dogs test boundaries and may seem to forget their training. Adolescence runs from about 6–8 months to about 2 years. Keep training consistent and patient, with plenty of exercise for body and mind.

An Aussie can suit a first-time owner who enjoys training and has time for daily exercise. Aussies learn fast and can out-think a new owner, so short, varied sessions and plenty to do keep things on track.

Puppies travel only once they are at least 8 weeks old and weigh at least 2 lb. Most Australian Shepherd puppies go home at about 10 weeks, usually between 9 and 16 weeks.

Australian Shepherd breeders on Pawrade report a typical litter of 7 puppies, usually between 4 and 10.

Breeders report socializing 92% of litters with large-breed dogs, 88% with older children and 82% with younger children. They also report getting litters used to loud music or TV (86%) and car or truck rides (83%). These figures come from what breeders reported for 247 litters.

Set up a crate in a room where the family spends time, check your fence and gates, and have a leash ready. A slicker brush, an undercoat rake, a nail trimmer and an ear cleaner cover the grooming kit. At the first vet visit, say your puppy is an Aussie and ask about MDR1 testing before any dewormer, flea or heartworm product.

Feed a quality diet suited to your puppy's age, and keep an eye on calories and treats. Ask what your puppy is eating now, so you know where to start.

Start right away, because the first 3 months are the most important time for socialization. Puppy classes can begin as early as 7–8 weeks, with healthy classmates, as your vet advises. Until the vaccines are done, let your puppy meet only healthy, vaccinated dogs you know.

Most puppies finish teething by about 6 months, when the adult teeth are in. Baby teeth start to fall out from about 12 weeks. Offer a few safe chew toys at a time and rotate them, and keep valued things out of reach.

Most puppies finish their core vaccine series at about 16 weeks, as your vet advises. A puppy class with healthy classmates is fine before then, if your vet agrees.

When to spay or neuter is a decision to make with your own vet. The right choice depends on things like your dog's sex and expected adult size.

Most dogs are fully grown and settled into adulthood at around 2 years. Keep exercise low-impact until your Aussie is fully grown, then it can join you for runs.

The Veterinary Health Report is the record of your Australian Shepherd puppy's exam before it goes home. The breeder's licensed vet gives the puppy itself a full hands-on exam to PetPay's exam standards and writes down what they find. It gives you and your own vet a clear starting point for your puppy's care.

The breeder's licensed veterinarian examines every puppy before it goes home, to PetPay's exam standards. The results are recorded in the puppy's Veterinary Health Report, and a copy travels with your puppy for your records.

The breeder's vet examines the whole puppy and pays close attention to a few things that matter in Aussies. The vet checks the eyes, how the puppy responds to sound, how the teeth meet and, in males, the testicles.

Before travel, every puppy follows PetPay's vaccination and deworming schedule as far as its age allows: deworming at 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 weeks, and the distemper, parvo, adenovirus and parainfluenza combination shot at 6–8, 9–11 and 12–14 weeks. Bordetella and corona are given at the vet's discretion, and no vaccine is given within 3 days of travel. Rabies is given by a licensed vet on the schedule your state requires. Your own vet completes the series. Your puppy's vaccination and deworming records are separate documents that travel with your puppy. Bring them, with the Veterinary Health Report, to your first visit so your vet starts from the same record.

If the vet finds something that could put your puppy at risk during travel, your puppy stays with the breeder until it's resolved. Problems that can be treated before travel are treated by the breeder's licensed vet first. Anything else the vet notes is shared with you.

Puppies grow and change quickly, and their immune systems are still developing, so no single exam can find everything. Hips and elbows, for example, are checked later with X-rays. The report is a strong early look at your puppy, and your own vet builds on it at every checkup.

Every puppy comes with a health guarantee administered by PetPay, independent of the seller. The terms are on the health guarantee page.

Australian Shepherd buyers rate their Pawrade experience 4.8 out of 5 on average, from 240 reviews, and about 85% of those reviews give 5 stars.