Australian Shepherd: Exercise and activity
Plan Australian Shepherd's activity around both the work the dog enjoys and the recovery it needs afterwards. Schedule the first attempt after the dog's normal age-appropriate outlet, not at peak excitement. Pair physical activity with a breed-appropriate mental outlet and a planned rest period. Increase duration or intensity, never both together, and keep the next rest period predictable.
How to read the activity reference
Australian Shepherd's exercise is recorded as A high-energy, athletic dog, the Aussie needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis. Here, that matters because it changes the amount and timing of movement, stimulation, and recovery this situation needs.
Balance movement and recovery
- Pair physical activity with a breed-appropriate mental outlet and a planned rest period.
- Use this exercise note (A high-energy, athletic dog, the Aussie needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis) to choose the starting amount of movement and the length of the recovery period.
- Increase duration or intensity, never both together, and keep the next rest period predictable.
Stop the activity if
Reduce intensity and seek veterinary advice if exercise causes pain, unusual fatigue, or breathing difficulty.
References
Height: 20-23 inches (male), 18-21 inches (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > height
Weight: 50-65 pounds (male), 40-55 pounds (female)
AKC page PageMap DataObject > weight
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
AKC page PageMap DataObject > life_expectancy
Grooming: In general, weekly brushing sessions will keep the Australian Shepherd's waterproof, double-layer coat looking its best. During shedding season, though, more work will be required. During this period an undercoat rake can be used every two or three days to remove the abundant dead hair, followed by a cleanup with the wire brush. Aussies often work and/or…
AKC page Grooming > official section copy
Exercise: A high-energy, athletic dog, the Aussie needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis. At minimum, he should have a large, fenced-in yard to run around in for at least an hour or two daily. Aussies bond closely with their owners and love to accompany them on long walks'or, better yet, hikes. Once an Aussie leaves puppyhood behind, and his skeletal system…
AKC page Exercise > official section copy
Training: Early socialization and obedience training are both musts for the Australian Shepherd. One of the most frequent reasons Aussies end up in rescue situations is owners couldn't (or wouldn't) constructively channel the breed's boundless energy through training. Aussies bond strongly to their families and so can be territorial and overprotective of their…
AKC page Training > official section copy
Official breed description: The Australian Shepherd, a lean, tough ranch dog, is one of those 'only in America' stories: a European breed perfected in California by way of Australia. Fixtures on the rodeo circuit, they are closely associated with the cowboy life.
AKC page About the Breed > official breed description
Recommended parent-club health tests: ['Hip Evaluation', 'Elbow Evaluation', 'Ophthalmologist Evaluation']
AKC page Health > Recommended Health Tests From the National Breed Club
Official breed standard: http://images.akc.org/pdf/breeds/standards/AustralianShepherd.pdf
AKC page The Breed Standard > View Full Breed Standard
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