What were Australian shepherds bred for?
You might wonder what job your Australian shepherd was actually built to do. See the real story – guest starring your dog.
Australian shepherds were developed in the western United States as working ranch dogs, bred to herd and manage sheep and other livestock. Despite the name, the breed took shape in states like California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho, not in Australia.
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The story in 5 parts
A short version first. The full story, with every detail, is further down.
Part 1
The quick answer: a working ranch dog
Your dog's ancestors were bred to tend flocks of sheep on ranches in the American West.
Part 2
The specific herding tasks they were built for
If your dog seems built for a job, that is because it is.
Part 3
Why herding shaped their body and temperament
Watching your dog move helps explain what it was built for.
Part 4
From working ranches to other jobs
Your dog's breed spent most of its history far from the show ring or the living room.
Part 5
What their original job means for owners today
Knowing your dog's working past can help you understand its needs now.
Read the full story
Part 1
The quick answer: a working ranch dog
Your dog's ancestors were bred to tend flocks of sheep on ranches in the American West. The breed developed in the nineteenth century, mainly from dogs of British and Spanish herding stock that arrived with sheep and shepherds, including Basque shepherds who worked in the region from the 1870s onward. The name is a bit of a puzzle, since Americans named the breed after seeing these dogs arrive with sheep shipped from Australia. Ranchers cared far more about a dog's working ability than its looks, and that focus is what shaped the breed you know today.
Part 2
The specific herding tasks they were built for
If your dog seems built for a job, that is because it is. These dogs were used to work cattle, sheep, and other livestock on ranches and farms. They were also expected to guard the flock and watch over property at the homestead, not just move animals from place to place. Ranchers in places like Boulder, Colorado bred them for their sheep-herding abilities, and buyers came from as far as California to get dogs known for this skill. Because working ability mattered more than appearance, dogs that handled livestock well on rough, remote ranges were the ones kept and bred forward.
Part 3
Why herding shaped their body and temperament
Watching your dog move helps explain what it was built for. The breed had to handle severe weather, have plenty of speed and athleticism, and hold onto energy and endurance for long days of work. It also needed to be intelligent, flexible, and independent while still staying obedient to a handler. Many Australian shepherds still carry a strong herding instinct, and it is not uncommon for companion dogs of the breed to try to herd children or other pets. They are typically described as loyal to their family, but standoffish or reserved with strangers, so early socialization matters.
Part 4
From working ranches to other jobs
Your dog's breed spent most of its history far from the show ring or the living room. It was a purely working breed for over a century, largely unknown outside the livestock industry until the mid-twentieth century. His dogs also appeared in Walt Disney films, including Stub: Best Cow Dog in the West and Run, Appaloosa, Run. The Australian Shepherd Club of America formed in 1957, and the American Kennel Club recognized the breed in the 1990s.
Part 5
What their original job means for owners today
Knowing your dog's working past can help you understand its needs now. The breed is known to become destructive if it does not get enough exercise. Because the herding instinct often remains strong, some dogs try to herd children or other pets.
Questions people ask
What were Australian shepherds originally used for?
They were originally bred to herd and guard sheep and other livestock on ranches in the western United States.
Are Australian shepherds still used as working dogs today?
Yes, great numbers of Australian shepherds are still working stock on ranches, particularly in the western states.
Why do Australian shepherds herd people?
Many retain a strong herding instinct, so companion dogs sometimes try to herd children or other pets.
What jobs are Australian shepherds good at besides herding?
Beyond herding, the breed does well in obedience, agility, fly-ball, tracking, and pet therapy.
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Sources
- Australian Shepherd History: Behind the Breed's Herding Heritage. American Kennel Club.
- Australian Shepherd - Wikipedia. en.wikipedia.org.
- Breed History - MASCA - Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America. MASCA - Miniature Australian Shepherd Club of America.
- Origin and History. www.aussierescuesocal.com.
- Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association. Canadian National Australian Shepherd Association.
- Australian Shepherd Facts - The History Junkie. The History Junkie, Nov 4, 2017.
- Australian Shepherd History. Australian Shepherd Lovers.
- Jay Sisler — A Life with Dogs. All About Aussies - The Total Australian Shepherd, May 12, 2014.
- Jay Sisler's Australian Shepherds. National Purebred Dog Day®, May 3, 2016.
Written by TimeWalkies EditorialLast updated How we research