Short Haired Australian Shepherd – What You Need To Know?

Last Updated on February 25, 2024

While it is common to see an Australian Shepherd with a lush coat that is both thick and weatherproof, some Australian Shepherds can have a different coat. To be more precise, some Aussies tend to have a short-haired coats, which can confuse an owner looking for a more fluffy and hairy Australian Shepherd.

What is a short haired Australian Shepherd- what do you need to know? Keep reading below to know more about it!

For many people looking to own a fluffy Australian Shepherd, it may seem like something is wrong with the Aussie they have gotten. However, there is ultimately nothing abnormal except for slight gene differences that may cause different eye colours or short-haired coats. 

Is Short Haired Australian Shepherd is Pure Breed?

In simple terms, yes! A short haired Australian Shepherd is technically a pure breed that only underwent slight coat differences upon birth. An Australian Shepherd with a short coat is a working dog like an Australian Shepherd with a thick coat.

The reason for such differences mainly stems from the ancestry of an Australian Shepherd, which consists of them descending from a line of collies from which they acquire different characteristics upon birth. It is nothing to worry about as a short-haired Australian Shepherd is equally energetic as the long-haired Aussie.

Check this article to learn do Australian Shepherd Shed a Lot?

How Rare is Short Haired Australian Shepherd?

While it may seem like a short-haired Australian Shepherd is a rarity among Aussie dog breeds, this is not true. A short-haired Australian Shepherd can be pretty standard as its short-haired coat is not noticeable at first glance from a far distance.

How rare is short haired Australian Shepherd? They are common; however, they may not be found among various breeders and have a chance of occurring in a 50% manner.

Does Short Haired Australian Shepherd Have Any Health Issues?

While some diseases may cause a thick-haired Australian Shepherd to lose its fur fast or through a lack of proper nutrition in its diet, a short-haired Australian Shepherd usually doesn’t have any health issues specific to their breed by birth. But as usual with Australian Shepherds or dogs of any breed, a short-haired Aussie may face some of the following diseases:

• Canine Bloat (Gastric Dilatation Volvulus)
• Eye-related problems such as cataracts or retinal disorders
• Hip or joint dysplasia
• Epilepsy
• Cardiovascular diseases (diseases affecting the heart)

These are some of the problems that an Australian Shepherd with a short hair may face; however, they are not predisposed to facing such by breed or having short hair.

It is an excellent idea to try and insulate your short haired Australian Shepherd during winter seasons to keep them from feeling the cold due to its short coat, which may not repel much cold air as much as a thick coat.

Are Short-Haired Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic? Do they Shed a lot?

Despite the short haired Australian Shepherd having less fur than a thick-haired one, they still shed during seasonal changes just like a typical Australian Shepherd. However, the frequency of hair shedding will be far less, as short-haired Australian Shepherds usually do not have as much hair.

In terms of an Aussie being hypoallergenic, you might be disappointed to hear that the short haired Australian Shepherd is not at all hypoallergenic. Not even the thick-haired variants of Aussies are hypoallergenic. Therefore, if you are allergic to dog fur, it is a good idea to take some precautions if you have gotten yourself an Australian Shepherd.

An Australian Shepherd with a short coat can be easier to groom, thanks to less hair on the coat. Hence a short haired Australian Shepherd is suitable for time management regarding its coat when it comes to grooming.

Conclusion:

While a short haired Australian Shepherd may be a subject of scrutiny and almost stigmatism due to their distinctive appearance as opposed to their thick-haired cousins, an Aussie with a short-haired coat is just the same as an Aussie with a long-haired coat.

Otherwise, if you are facing hair loss from a long-haired Australian Shepherd, it may be essential to get them checked by an animal veterinarian as soon as possible.