Australian Shepherd Puppies: Pictures, Adoption Tips, and More!

Australian shepherd puppies may just be the cutest things on Earth. They’ve got all the spunk, enthusiasm, self-confidence, and intelligence of the breed squeezed into an impossibly adorable, bouncy little package. If you’ve recently acquired a herd of sheep, adopting an Australian shepherd is a no-brainer.

On the other hand, if you’re dying to scoop up one of these wiggly furballs and shower them with love, but your neighbors aren’t fans of sheep, make sure you have the time and energy to devote to this working breed before bringing one home.

There’s a lot to consider when deciding to adopt a new best friend. Not to worry, however. We’ve got you covered! First, we’ll take a look at the character of Australian shepherds to determine if the breed is the right match for your lifestyle. Once you’ve decided an Aussie is the dog for you and your non-sheep-herding family, we’ll go over how to adopt one of these amazing dogs. Along the way, we’ll gush over pictures of adorable Australian shepherd puppies.

Is an Australian Shepherd the Right Dog for Me?

As with any pet we choose to adopt, the first decision we need to make is if we are willing to commit to caring for the animal for its entire life. For Aussies, this can mean 12 years or more. Like all of us, Australian shepherds make mistakes, misbehave, get sick, and need a lot of attention. You need to be sure that the unconditional love your Aussie brings to the relationship will make all the trouble worth it.

Exercise

There are few people more dedicated to a breed than Australian shepherd owners. They will be the first to warn you, however, how much work an Aussie requires. These dogs are herding dogs from tip to toenail. They are high-energy, stubborn, intelligent, and exuberant. Aussies have an incredible amount of stamina with strong herding and guardian instincts.

Training

These dogs are not couch potatoes! Australian shepherds need opportunities for exercise and stimulation every day. They are perfect for people who love to run, hike, bike, and explore outdoors. With their strong herding drive, intelligence, and high energy, training is an absolute must for Australian shepherd puppies. Training also helps owners learn how to channel all those instincts into appropriate behavior.

Love

Do not get an Aussie unless he will live inside your home as part of the family. Australian shepherds are people dogs. They want to be with you as much as possible. Protective of their owners and reserved with strangers, Aussie puppies need loads of socialization in order to avoid having a dog that acts fearfully or aggressively with other people. Having as many different people love on your puppy as he develops will help you raise a well-adjusted companion.

Review this checklist before bringing home an Australian shepherd.

Australian Shepherd Rescues

The abundance of Australian shepherd rescues throughout the United States is testament to how vital it is that prospective Aussie parents understand the amount of time and energy this breed requires before adopting one. When these dogs are not given the training and exercise they need, they can turn destructive. Once the problem gets out of hand, many Australian shepherds end up in the hands of a rescue or shelter.

Rescues will have dogs of all different ages. If you have your heart set on a puppy, you may need to reach out to multiple rescues or visit more than one shelter to find an Australian shepherd puppy. To see how many Aussies are looking for homes in your state, check out RescueMe.org.

Finding a local rescue is the best option as it makes the process of choosing and adopting your puppy much easier. There are Aussies that need homes in almost every area of the country. Searching for an Australian shepherd rescue and your state or city should provide you with at least a few options.

What to Expect During the Adoption Process

Fill Out an Application

Once you’ve located some rescues, the next step is to fill out an application that you can usually find on their website. New Spirit 4 Aussie Rescue describes its role as being like a “doggy dating service.” Rescues work to set up the best match for dog and owner, so a typical rescue adoption application is very detailed and thorough. It will ask you to describe what you are looking for in a dog.

Honesty is always the best policy on these applications! Rescues are good at what they do. With the right information, they will match you with the dog that is right for you. The information you provide on your application makes that perfect match possible.

Collect References

Reputable rescues will ask you to provide references. They should be people who do not live at your residence. Considering the dedication and energy Australian shepherds require, some rescues recommend that an Aussie not be your first pet. You will be asked to also provide a vet reference.

Expect a Home Check

A volunteer from the rescue will likely need to pay a visit to your home. They will check out the kind of yard you have, meet the other pets that live in the house, and talk with everyone living in the home. Coming in person is an extension of the application you filled out online. They already know the temperament of their dogs. The rescue needs to understand if your home is busy or calm, what other kinds of animals will live with the dog, and get a general idea of how dog-savvy the resident humans are.

Meet the Dog

This is the (second) best part. Most rescues will want you and your family to meet your prospective Australian shepherd in person before making the final big decision. Taking some time after the introduction to make the decision is perfectly fine and even recommended. It’s tempting to stare into the pale blue eyes of your Aussie puppy and instantly fall in love.

The physical characteristics of the breed are stunning. Looks are just a small part of the Australian shepherd package, however. Consider the temperament of your prospective puppy before committing to the 12-plus-year relationship.

Adoption Costs

The exact cost of adopting an Australian shepherd will depend on a variety of factors. Adoption fees are usually lower for older dogs. If you adopt a puppy that is too young to be spayed or neutered, rescues will often require a deposit that will be returned to you after you show proof that you had your puppy fixed. You can expect to pay between $400-$600 to adopt an Aussie puppy. Spay/neuter deposits are around $50.

Of course, the adoption fee is not the only expense you will need to plan for when bringing a new puppy into your home. Your Australian shepherd will need to see the vet for his first wellness visit. He will need high-quality food, a collar, tags, a leash, a bed, toys, and training.

Bring your Puppy Home!

Adopting a dog is perhaps one of the most rewarding experiences in life. Many people come to realize that although they saved their puppy, it was actually their puppy who had the most to give. Rescues will do everything in their power to give their dogs a chance at having a loving family and a life they deserve. Once you become an Australian shepherd parent, you will realize how deserving they are.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Anastasiia Cherniavskaia/Shutterstock.com