Are Australian Shepherds Good Farm Dogs?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

, , , ,


Bred to be a working herding and farm dog

, these dogs need to be strong enough to do the job, agile enough to work the stock, and yet not so heavy or bulky that they tire easily. A medium-sized, moderate dog is a good description. People often recognize Aussies by their coloring.

What is the best dog to have on a farm?

  • Border Collie. One of the most popular farm dogs, border collies have a strong work ethic and are the ultimate herding dog. …
  • Standard Schnauzer. …
  • German Shepherd. …
  • Great Pyrenees.

Do Australian Shepherds make good livestock guardian dogs?


No they are not

. Aussies are a herding breed meant to move livestock. Breeds such as Great Pyrenees, maremma, and anatolians are livestock protection breeds (LGDs) meant to live with the flock and guard them. Herding dogs are meant to herd and protecting dogs are meant to protect.

Are Australian Shepherds good with chickens?


A properly trained, socialized Aussie can be great with chickens

and can even help manage them. If you want to have your chickens roaming free-range, an Aussie can be a heap of help in keeping them from wandering and keeping the birds safe.

What kind of dog do farmers use?


Border Collie

Developed on the Scottish-English border for their natural ability and drive to herd sheep, border collies continue to be widely used as working farm dogs around the world.

Do Australian Shepherds bark a lot?

Keep in mind

the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot

, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the ‘speak’ command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.

What is the best farm dog in Australia?

1.

Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler)

These fiercely loyal and intelligent dogs are the ultimate farm dog. They short, compact, and strong, which is perfect for a rough job like agriculture.

How much do Australian Shepherds cost?

The average price of the Australian Shepherd ranges from

$650 to $850

. However, an Aussie can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,800+ USD depending on breeder reputation, coat colors, pedigree and location. Australian Shepherds are not the cheapest dog breed available, but they’re not terribly expensive either.

What is the smartest breed of dog?

  • Border collie. According to The Intelligence of Dogs, which ranks 131 dog breeds in terms of their relative intelligence, the border collie is the smartest dog breed known to man. …
  • Poodle. …
  • German shepherd. …
  • Golden retriever. …
  • Doberman pinscher. …
  • Shetland sheepdog. …
  • Labrador retriever. …
  • Papillon.

Are Australian Shepherds smart?


Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent dogs

. In fact, the Aussie is the 42nd smartest dog breed for obedience & working intelligence. And although they’re classified as ” above average” intelligence, they excel with high instinctive IQ in herding and their incredible ability to learn for themselves.

What is the best guard dog?

  • Bullmastiff. Known for physical strength, protection instincts, courageousness and extreme family loyalty, the Bullmastiff is one of the best guard dog breeds to have. …
  • Doberman Pinscher. …
  • Rottweiler. …
  • Komondor. …
  • Puli. …
  • Giant Schnauzer. …
  • German Shepherd. …
  • Rhodesian Ridgeback.

What is the best livestock guardian dog?

  • Great Pyrenees. These noble, independent, highly intelligent dogs are perhaps the most widely used LGD in America. …
  • Anatolian Shepherd. This breed is muscular, imposing, and reserved in temperament. …
  • Akbash. …
  • Maremma Sheepdog.

What kind of dog will protect chickens?

  • Old English Sheepdog. Old English sheepdogs are agile, attentive, and alert animals. …
  • Maremma Sheepdog. Known as a livestock guardian dog, the Maremma sheepdog originates from rural Northern Italy. …
  • Akbash. …
  • Pyrenean Mastiff. …
  • Komondor. …
  • Puli. …
  • Anatolian Shepherd. …
  • Kuvasz.

What animals do Australian shepherds herd?

Despite its formal moniker, this medium-sized herding dog is a quintessentially American breed, developed in Western states like California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho to tend to the large flocks of

sheep

grazing there.

What class is a Great Pyrenees?

Working Group

Is a German Shepherd a good farm dog?


With the right training, German Shepherds can make good livestock guardians, and with their incredible versatility, they can make amazing farm dogs too

. There are a few caveats, however, as these dogs have powerful prey drives and can be a bit hard on livestock.

What is the best dog to have?

  • Labrador Retriever. …
  • Poodle. …
  • Irish Setter. …
  • Vizsla. …
  • Newfoundland. …
  • Bull Terrier. …
  • Beagle. …
  • Bulldog. For a devoted, patient pup that’s sure to act affectionately towards kids, the Bulldog is your go-to breed.

Are Great Pyrenees good farm dogs?


Great Pyrenees make excellent LGDs and family farm dogs

, and are very happy to be outside with their livestock. They can be wonderful additions to any farm and every family.

Are Australian Shepherds good house dogs?


Yes, they can be great family dogs

, but they need lots of exercise, ‘work’ and proper, consistent training. Australian Shepherds are one of the most intelligent breeds of dog in the world. Not only smart, they’re incredibly gorgeous. They’re loyal, very trainable, and they love human companionship.

Are Aussies hard to train?

With an Aussie’s boundless energy, channeling it into something constructive can do wonders for your dog. These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them

very easy to train

. Regardless of the activity, your dog will love doing it with you.

Do Australian Shepherds like to cuddle?

Are Aussies Affectionate? Also called Aussies,

Australian shepherds are renowned for their desire to cuddle

. Loyal and highly active, these dogs love their owners as much as they love to play.

What is an Aussie farm dog called?


Australian Cattle Dog (Heeler)

Just like Collies, these dogs were bred for farm work, and they have an intuitive talent at herding.

Are pit bulls good farm dogs?


Even though a pit bull may not be the perfect farm dog, with some careful training and watchful eyes, they can still do well on a farm

. Teach them manners around all farm animals, and give them plenty of chances to show their natural skills, such as catching and protection.

Are Huskies good farm dogs?

As long as they’re getting PLENTY of exercise (which should be no problem at all on a farm),

Huskies are incredible dogs

and are capable of being trained to do just about any task (that a dog is able to perform).

Do Aussie dogs shed?

Australian Shepherd shedding falls under the medium to high category.

They shed less in the fall and winter than they do in the spring and summer

. Their shedding season is usually in the spring, and they shed a lot of dog hair and dry skin to avoid being too hot in the summer.

What is a blue merle Australian Shepherd?

The Blue Merle Australian Shepherd is

a special type of Australian Shepherd that has received a semi-dominant gene resulting in bluish-grey fur mixed with splotches of black or reddish-brown and white

.

How popular are Australian Shepherds?

Australian Shepherds are the

18th most popular dog breed according to the AKC

. This ranking makes them more popular than dogs such as Pomeranians and Chihuahuas.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.