What Temperament Does an Australian Shepherd Have?

Last Updated on July 4, 2023

While they make beautiful pets, prospective owners need to know the temperament and personality of the breed before adopting or purchasing an Australian Shepherd.

There are many things to know about Australian Shepherds. Today, we’ll walk you through the dog’s temperament, personality, living environment and many other characteristics.

So, let’s get started.

Australian Shepherd Temperament

While the personality of an Australian Shepherd will vary for each dog, they are generally brilliant and love being with people. Australian Shepherds are outgoing and friendly with people they know and sometimes shy around strangers. They love to interact with people and be involved with their human families.

Australian Shepherds need lots of mental and physical stimulation. It takes lots of exercise to keep Australian Shepherds happy. They love high-energy activities like Frisbee, chasing a ball, and agility. They are great dogs for active and adventurous families.

Active Breed

Due to their high energy and intelligence, Australian Shepherds will only become destructive if they do not get appropriate excises; they will create activities to entertain themselves. Unfortunately, these activities are often undesirable and could be herding kids, chasing cars, chewing, or digging.

Australian Shepherds are not the right breed if you plan to let your dog run around in the backyard and then relax all evening. However, if you can provide the necessary exercise, Australian Shepherds are calm, well-behaved, and highly loyal. There will need to be more for these guys.

Living Environment

Australian Shepherds are often thought to need wide-open space because of their herding origins. They are better suited for homes with small yards and are unhappy in apartments. However, they are happy living in the city with enough mental and physical stimulation. Remember that these are adaptable dogs; if you can keep them active, they will be fine in several living environments.

Mental Stimulation

Australian Shepherds are brilliant dogs with natural solid herding instincts. They love to solve problems and be challenged. This breed has the ideal temperament to work as a guide, hearing, assistance, and even search and rescue dog. In addition to the basic training and tricks you teach your dog, Australian Shepherds can do much more and are eager to learn new things like picking up, pulling carts, and opening doors.

Attention Lovers

Australian Shepherds love human interaction and companionship. They want to be included in all family activities. Australian Shepherds love being outdoors and want to be with you for hikes, walks, and even trips to the farmer’s market! Because they love active lifestyles, including them in just about every activity is easy.

Protective Temperament

Like many herding breeds, Australian Shepherds are protective of their families. They tend to be shy around new people and will watch for a while before engaging.

One of the most popular dog breeds, Australian Shepherds are intelligent, active, versatile, loyal, and affectionate dogs. So, it’s best to socialise your Australian Shepherd puppy early and frequently.

Australian Shepherds as Working Dogs

As many may guess from their names and purpose, the Australian shepherd can be used as a herding dog or service dog. In essence, these dogs are highly flexible. They can be trained to be almost anything, including a rescue dog that rescues people from drowning by swimming. 

Even for manual house chores, your Aussie should be more than enough to carry out tasks that require heavy lifting and potentially reduce your household work. Once given a task, an Australian shepherd will never back down from the challenge, no matter how difficult the task may seem.

Separation Anxiety in Australian Shepherds

As Australian shepherds are known to be highly affectionate to their owners, they can quickly become flustered when left alone, especially if it is a small apartment where they cannot move around as they desire. Hence, a dog may develop symptoms such as wheezing and whimpering whenever you come back, essentially signs of separation anxiety.

Dealing with separation anxiety in Australian shepherds can be slightly complicated, as forming a deep bond with an owner may make the Aussie possessive of the owner. One solution to this is bringing your Aussie to a dog daycare where they can interact with other dogs and pass their time by playing with them. Otherwise, you may also bring your Aussie with you unless you go to a workplace where dogs are not allowed. The former option of a dog daycare might be appropriate.

You may also have family members take care of your Aussie if they can form deep bonds with them, although such may take time. Otherwise, bringing your Australian shepherd for a ride with you can save them from becoming depressed and destructive.

Australian Shepherds with Children and Other Pets

Aussies generally do not mind company and may enjoy the presence of other pet dogs and children. Australian shepherds are a calm and patient dog breed that is affectionate and can quickly get involved with other people without feeling too threatened by them.

Although, roughhousing needlessly or for too long may cause the Aussie to become irritated, which they may signal through low growls or simple brushing off of other people. In some cases, the Australian shepherd may try to run away from the offending presence and hide somewhere where they can sit in peace.

Hence, ensure to keep your dog in a friendly and accepting environment, with perhaps toy puzzles that may cause the Australian shepherd to try and solve them while playing around with other family members and overall being as mentally stimulated as possible!

Conclusion

Australian shepherds, in simple terms, are some of the best dog breeds that can be found on the planet. However, some Aussies may have different temperaments and may need some motivation or positive reinforcement to become socialised and happy with other people or pets.

You may also consult an animal vet or behaviourist if you notice unusual symptoms from your Aussie or aggressive behaviour that may or may not be related to environmental factors or a disease.