Australian Shepherd — Complete Breed Guide

The Australian Shepherd's coat is medium double. Within the breed you'll come across varieties buyers search for by name — mini, toy, blue merle, red merle — which usually come down to different lines and breeders rather than different dogs. Color doesn't change the temperament, exercise needs, or health picture described above.

If you have your heart set on a specific look, ask the breeder to see the parents and recent litters, and be wary of anyone charging a big premium for a color alone.

Puppyhood is the expensive, exhausting, wonderful part. Plan for a first vet visit within days of bringing yours home, a vaccine series over the first few months, and training that starts the day it arrives — not at six months.

The first year costs more than the monthly estimate above suggests: vaccines, spay/neuter, a crate, and chewed shoes add up. Socialize early and widely; the temperament scores on this page assume a well-socialized dog.

Designer mixes get a lot of searches, so here's an honest map: a mix inherits unpredictably from both parents — no guarantees on size, coat, or temperament. If a mix catches your eye, read both parent profiles where they exist and judge the dog in front of you.

• Australian Shepherd × Siberian Husky — read the Siberian Husky profile too; a mix can inherit either parent's traits.