Are Australian Shepherds Good First Dogs? The Truth + Tips

Pawscessories is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

So you’re thinking about adding an adorable pup to your family and wondering if australian shepherds are good for first time owners.

Bringing a dog into your home for the first time can be an absolutely life changing experience or something you regret entirely. The breed you choose has a big impact on this.

Are Australian Shepherds Good For First Time Owners:

Australian shepherds require a lot of physical and mental stimulation which makes them a less than ideal choice for first time dog owners. If you live an active lifestyle and are dedicated to learning how to train this intelligent breed it can definitely work, but it’s not for everyone.

In this post you’ll discover:

3 reasons why australian shepherds are good for first time owners
8 reasons why australian shepherds aren’t good for first time owners
3 tips to help first time owners deciding to get an australian shepherd
And much more

Let’s jump right in.

Table of Contents

3 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Are Good For First Time Owners

1) Above Average Intelligence

A study was done in the 1990s which assessed the intelligence of 131 different breeds and australian shepherds placed 42nd.

They looked at how many repetitions it took for each breed to understand a new command as well as how often the dog would listen to the first command.

Because australian shepherds placed 42nd it put them in the category of being able to understand new commands after 25-40 repetitions.

They also were able to obey the first instruction 50% of the time or better.

This means as a first time owner, it won’t be terribly difficult to train your australian shepherd new and many different tricks/behaviors.

They’ll actually enjoy being trained to learn new things and how it challenges them mentally.

2) Affectionate

Australian shepherds are considerably affectionate which is something many first time dog owners look for.

Aussies want to be close to their family and will often do things like lick you, cuddle with you, or wiggle their bum whenever you come home.

This is definitely a plus for those who are looking for a dog that will be more attached to them and not be overly independent.

Aussies also love children and will often try to play with them, making them good family dogs.

3) Loyal

Like most herding breeds, australian shepherds are incredibly loyal to their family and will often become very attached.

They’ll be protective of those they love and will see anyone who is unfamiliar as a potential threat.

While this may make them wary of strangers, it also makes them great watch dogs.

If you’re a first time owner and looking for a loyal dog that will always have your back, australian shepherds are great for that.

8 Reasons Why Australian Shepherds Aren’t Good For First Time Owners

1) Can Be Too Smart

As mentioned before, australian shepherds are considerably intelligent dogs which can sometimes make them too headstrong for first time owners.

They may have a hard time following commands they don’t deem important or interesting to them and will often try to take the lead in training sessions.

If you’re not prepared to put in the time and effort to properly train your aussie, they may end up being a handful.

They need consistent as well as varied training.

Meaning training them more challenging tricks to keep them from getting bored with their training or taking them outside to learn tricks with distractions present.

All in all, an australian shepherd’s intelligence can be a double edged sword for first time owners.

2) Need Lots Of Exercise

Australian shepherds are high energy dogs that need plenty of exercise in order to be happy and well-behaved.

If they don’t get the proper amount of exercise, they can become destructive around the house or even start getting into trouble with other dogs.

Many first time owners may not have enough time to dedicate to a dog that needs as much exercise as aussies need.

They need at least 60 minutes of good physical activity every day.

Which is definitely something to keep in mind if you’re considering getting an australian shepherd as your first dog.

Related Reading: 12 Best Harnesses For Australian Shepherds

3) Need Lots Of Mental Stimulation

Australian shepherds are highly intelligent dogs that need to be constantly challenged mentally in order to avoid getting into mischief.

If they’re not given enough tasks to do or aren’t properly trained, they can become quite destructive around the house.

Many first time owners may not have the time or knowledge necessary to provide their aussie with the mental stimulation they need.

This is where hiring a trainer or doing lots of research on how to properly train an australian shepherd can come in handy.

Otherwise, you may find yourself constantly cleaning up after your pup’s messes.

4) Need Space

Australian shepherds need plenty of space to run around and play.

They’re not the best choice for first time owners who live in small apartments or houses.

Aussies need at least an hour of exercise per day and plenty of room to roam.

If you don’t have enough space for your dog, they’ll often take that out on your belongings or furniture.

This is something you should definitely keep in mind if you’re thinking about getting an aussie.

If you live in a small house or apartment and don’t have time to learn how to train this high energy, smart dog, consider getting another breed.

5) Very Vocal

Many first timers may not be prepared for how vocal australian shepherds are and end up getting frustrated with the incessant barking.

This is definitely something to keep in mind if you’re considering an australian shepherd as your first dog.

If you live in a busy neighborhood, it’s best to get a quieter breed of dog.

6) Grooming Requirements

One of the many new habits you have to pick up as a new dog owner is a consistent grooming schedule.

While aussies aren’t known for being the highest shedding breed, they definitely do shed.

Which means you’ll need to brush your pup several times a week to ensure your house doesn’t become one big furball.

Also, it helps keep their skin and coat strong and healthy.

Many first timers may not be prepared to handle the extra grooming duties that come with owning an australian shepherd.

Aussies need to be brushed at least once a week and their hair needs to be trimmed every few months.

Their nails also need to be trimmed around once a month.

7) Can Be Protective

Aussies are very loyal dogs that will do anything to protect their loved ones.

This can sometimes lead to them being overly protective of their territory, which can result in some unwanted behaviors like guarding their food or toys.

Many first timers may not be prepared for how protective an aussie can be and may find themselves dealing with aggression issues.

If you’re considering getting an australian shepherd, it’s important to be aware of this personality trait and know how to properly deal with it if it arises.

8) Purebreds Generally More Difficult Than Mixed Breeds

Many first timers may be tempted to get a purebred australian shepherd because they’re so darn cute.

However, what most don’t realize is that purebred dogs can be more difficult to train and manage than mixed breeds.

Mixed breeds generally have watered down behavioral tendencies when compared to their purebred parents.

Which can help make them more well tempered, easier to train and less sporadic in their behavior.

Mixed breeds are also often more tolerant of new people and situations, making them a better choice for first time owners.

3 Tips For First Time Owners Getting An Australian Shepherd

1) Do Plenty Of Research

It’s great that you’re doing a bit of research on australian shepherds before getting one (otherwise you wouldn’t be here), but don’t stop here!

Do your best to know exactly what you’d be getting yourself into if you were to get an aussie for your first dog.

Speak with trainers, reach out to people who own australian shepherds to get their feedback/input and learn as much as you can about the breed online.

While australian shepherds can be quite the handful for first time owners it’s absolutely possible to make them a lovely addition to your home.

If you live an active lifestyle and are determined to learn how to train a smart aussie you should have what’s necessary to make them a great pet.

2) Consistent Training Is Important

As with any dog, training is key to having a well behaved aussie.

However, because of their high intelligence, australian shepherds can be especially challenging to train if you’re not consistent with your commands.

Make sure you set aside plenty of time each day for basic obedience training and continue reinforcing these behaviors as your aussie grows older.

It’s also important to find a good trainer who can help you work through any obedience issues you may be having.

A well behaved aussie is a joy to have around and will make life much easier for both you and them.

3) Socialization Is a Must

Like all herding breeds, aussies are very active and need plenty of exercise to stay healthy and happy.

But they’re not your average outdoor dog, they also need lots of mental stimulation too.

One great way to provide this is by taking them to lots of different places and socializing them with as many people, animals and situations as possible.

This will help them become well adjusted and confident dogs.

Aussies that aren’t socialized can become quite fearful and reactive, which is not only bad for them but also for the people and animals around them.

So make sure to take your aussie out on plenty of adventures and expose them to new experiences as often as possible while they’re young.

Other posts you might find interesting:

8 Best Dog Beds for Australian Shepherds | Beds That Last

Are Australian Shepherds Dramatic? Reasons Why + Tips

6 Reasons Australian Shepherds Become Destructive + Tips

Are Australian Shepherds High Maintenance? (Explained!)

Sources:

Stanley Coren’s dog intelligence ranking