An Australian Shepherd mix is a breed of dog that crosses an Australian Shepherd with another purebred breed. With an excellent work ethic, the Australian Shepherd was originally bred to manage livestock and is known for being very intelligent.
Cross breeding this beautiful breed with other purebred dogs produces another range of dog breeds, in which the pups receive different traits from their parents and the possibilities are endless!
Take a look below to learn more about Australian Shepherd mixes and whether you think one of these breeds might be right for your home.
What is an Australian Shepherd?
The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a very popular dog and ranks at 17 out of 193 with the American Kennel Club (AKC). They were first seen in the 19th Century in South Western America. Their name is slightly misleading, as their ancestors came to the United States via Australia.
These dogs are beautiful with a multi-colored coat, including merle, black, white, and tan, and different colored eyes which are often bright blue. These pups make excellent family dogs as they are very friendly and loving. They have a high activity level and high exercise needs, so they do benefit from being in a family who likes to go out hiking or running. The Aussie is, however, also an excellent working dog and is often favored by farmers.
These popular traits that are found in the Australian Shepherd has made them very desirable for crossbreeding, and there are many breeds out there than are the result of crossing an Australian Shepherd with another purebred.
Why should I get an Australian Shepherd Mix?
These designer breeds that are formed by crossing an Australian Shepherd with another purebred dog are becoming more and more popular. Australian Shepherds are beautiful dogs that come in a range of colors, and crossbreeding them with other breeds provides a wide range of personalities and traits within a cuddly canine.
More often than not, these mix breeds with inherit their Australian Shepherd parent’s intelligence and work ethic, and combing this with the friendliness or a Labrador or the activity level of a Golden Retriever can create a perfect family dog. With so many Aussie mix breeds, as a potential dog buyer you have so many options too — it is almost as if you can hand pick the traits you want of your future dog by choosing which two breeds are going to crossed to create your perfect pup.
Is an Australian Shepherd Mix healthier than a purebred?
There has been a lot of speculation around whether mixed breeds are healthier than purebred doggies. It is quite widely thought that a mixed Australian Shepherd may be a healthier dog because there is more gene diversity in a mixed Aussie. This can mean they are less likely to develop any hereditary disorders. They are also more intelligent dogs than purebreds, which is why many people love them.
If you’re ready to learn a bit more about the individual Australian Shepherd mix breeds, read on below to check out our fifteen favorites.
Australian Shepherd Mix Breeds
Aussiedor (Australian Shepherd and Labrador Retriever)
The Aussiedor is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Labrador. The Labrador has been America’s most popular dog since 1991, so crossing them with an Aussie is something special. These pups are a real family dog — loyal, intelligent, obedient and affectionate. They get on very well with children, but also make excellent watchdogs or guard dogs too.
This medium-sized canine generally weighs between 40 and 80 pounds. The Aussiedor is an active dog and is a great hiking or walking buddy to it’s family. They also love to play games such as fetch and they are highly trainable animals, which makes them fun to be around!
Texas Heeler (Australian Shepherd and Australian Cattle Dog)
The Texas Heeler is a cross between the Australian Shepherd and an Australian Cattle Dog, also known as the Blue Heeler. Blue Heelers are well known for being a herding dog, so when crossed with the Australian Shepherd, another herding dog, you get the ultimate herding dog!
These dogs are extremely active and are not well suited to the quieter, more relaxed life. They need to live in an environment where they can be outside exercising for a lot of the day, and make excellent working dogs. They can get on well with children, but have been known to show herding tendencies around small children.
These pups need constant mental stimulation so they don’t get bored, too. They can be wary of strangers and stubborn at times, which often makes them difficult to train! However, they are very loyal dogs and the Texas Heeler will always want to please their owner.
Aussiedoodle (Australian Shepherd and Poodle)
The Aussiedoodle, sometimes known as the Aussipoo, is a cross between the Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. These dogs are the most popular Aussie cross today, particularly because they were bred to be the ultimate companion and family dog.
These dogs are incredibly intelligent and love to socialize with all humans. This includes children, and their loyal and affectionate nature is perfect for anyone of any age. The Aussiedoodle is an active dog who especially loves to swim, but they will be happiest when they are exercising with you!
These dogs can suffer from separation anxiety so some early socialization is required. Fortunately, they are very easy to train due to their intelligence and obedience, which can make them a great first dog. Even better, their coats are hypoallergenic — perfect for those with allergies!
Auberman (Australian Shepherd and Doberman)
The Auberman is one of the biggest Australian Shepherd hybrids and can stand up to 24 inches tall. A cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Doberman Pinscher, these dogs are very friendly and loving. However, they are also very protective, making them the ideal guard dog as they are not afraid to protect their pack.
The Auberman is also very active and requires a lot of exercise — between 60 to 90 minutes a day. They are fairly easy to train, but do require a firm hand. However, be careful not to be too firm with them, because they are also very sensitive dogs and can feel intimidated.
These dogs are excellent family dogs and gentle around children. They are not aggressive towards strangers and are known to be very sweet towards others!
Dachsherd (Australian Shepherd and Dachshund)
The Dachsherd is a mix between the Australian Shepherd and a Dachshund. There is quite a big clash of personality between these two dogs, because the Australian Shepherd is very active and the Dachshund isn’t! This likely means that you will get a dog that is somewhere in the middle, and, therefore, the Dachsherd is known for being one of the less active Australian Shepherd mixes.
These dogs are intelligent and are highly trainable. Their owner will need to be firm with them, but they can make excellent family dogs when in the right environment. You will need to keep their brain stimulated to ensure there are no unwanted behaviors, but if you do so, they can become a well rounded and friendly pet for all.
Aussiepom (Australian Shepherd and Pomeranian)
The Aussiepom is a cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Pomeranian. The Pomeranian is known for being a very small, cute, toy breed, so you can expect the Aussiepom to be small too. These dogs are one of the rarer mixes of Australian Shepherds, but they certainly are one of the cutest. They make excellent family dogs, especially as they are so small so you can take them wherever you want with you!
An excellent family dog, the Aussiepom is friendly and gets along with both adults and children as well as other household pets. They do not have high exercise needs although they are easy to train and very eager to please their owners. Unfortunately, because of their coat, they do require a fair bit of grooming to stay in tidy condition!
Australian Retriever (Australian Shepherd and Golden Retriever)
The Australian Retriever is the result of breeding an Australian Shepherd with a Golden Retriever. These dogs are both very popular, and breeding them together makes a fantastic dog! They still retain the excellent work ethic of the Australian Shepherd, yet they also inherit the friendliness and playfulness of a Golden Retriever.
The Australian Retriever makes an excellent family dog and an excellent playmate to children. They are very loyal and obedient dogs, making them easy to train and a great first pet. They are active dogs and will benefit from a family who likes to exercise — whether it’s hiking, swimming or running.
These pups love to be around people and don’t like to be left alone. You’ll have to make sure you can give them all the love they need before you decide to bring one of these dogs into your home!
Cotralian (Australian Shepherd and Cocker Spaniel)
The Cotralian, also often known as the Aussiel, is a cross between the Australian Shepherd and the Cocker Spaniel. These medium to large dogs normally resemble a Cocker Spaniel with a long coat yet have the colorings of an Australian Shepherd. They can be very sweet and loving, however they are not advised as a first pet.
This is because these pups, although intelligent, can be quite stubborn and difficult to train. They have a tendency to jump up on humans and can also exhibit herding behaviors, which will need to be trained out of them. Therefore, you will need to be both patient and consistent when training them.
That being said, they can make good family pets. They are active and enjoy being outdoors, and their curious nature means they are normally up for trying anything! The Aussiel also loves to hike and accompany you, perfect if you are looking for an exercise buddy!
Dalshep (Australian Shepherd and Dalmatian)
The Dalshep is a relatively new Australian Shepherd cross breed and is the result of crossing an Australian Shepherd with a Dalmatian. The Dalmatian was originally a herding dog too, so when combined with an Australian Shepherd you get a great working dog who loves to be outside. This breed is a very beautiful dog that can inherit their coat colors from either of their parents. They often stand out in the crowd because of how beautiful they are!
Very active, the Dalshep is family friendly and does not like to be left alone for long periods of time. They need lots of affection in order to be happy, so you shouldn’t consider buying a Dalshep if you are out for long hours at a time.
Ausky (Australian Shepherd and Husky)
The Ausky is a mix between an Australian Shepherd and a Siberian Husky. First seen in 2004, these dogs are friendly yet can be quite a handful to train, so they are often not recommended for first time dog owners. They require early socialization and obedience training so you can show them who is in charge! The Ausky is also known for barking and howling, so it is advised you do not keep one of these pups if you live in an apartment.
Once trained properly, the Ausky is a loving and eager-to-please dog. However, they do require a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to stay happy, so you will have to be ready to dedicate a fair bit of your time to taking these pups out for a walk or with you on runs. They are certainly not the pup for “lazy” dog owners and can exhibit unwanted behaviors if they do not get enough exercise!
Sheagle (Australian Shepherd and Beagle)
The Sheagle is the result of breeding an Australian Shepherd and a Beagle. As cute as these pups are, the trait they are known for most is their intelligence. The Sheagle is an incredibly smart dog, which means training and socializing these dogs is not difficult. However, it does mean that they can often get themselves into mischief, and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation to keep entertained!
The Sheagle is the perfect family pet and does especially well with children. They are a great playmate and companion to all, and, with their abundance of energy, will certainly keep you on your toes! Normally born with a Beagle’s hunting instinct, you should keep the Sheagle on a leash when walking them outside. Otherwise other small animals in the area might end up being chased!
Baussie (Australian Shepherd and Boston Terrier)
The Baussie, sometimes known as the Bossie, is a rarer hybrid and is a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Boston Terrier. These dogs are normally lively and affectionate, however some owners have also reported them as to be quite gentle and docile, so this a breed where it really does depend on which traits they inherit from their parent breeds.
The Baussie loves to play outside and is an active dog at heart. They also require a lot of mental stimulation and do not like to be left alone or to be away from their owners for long periods of time. This breed is known for chewing on household items when they are bored and frustrated, so ensure you give them lots of toys to play with and lots of attention!
German Australian Shepherd (Australian Shepherd and German Shepherd)
The German Australian Shepherd is a very popular family dog, because of their popular parent breeds! This cross between an Australian Shepherd and a German Shepherd results in a very loving and affectionate dog that is perfect for many families. Their obedient, loyal and protective nature also makes them a great working dog, with these pups often taking up work with the police or military.
The German Australian Shepherd does require a lot of exercise, especially as they are a large dog breed. You must make sure you can give them all the exercise they need, which includes walking and running. If they do not get the activity they need, they can become quite destructive in their behavior! These pups can also make excellent guard dogs for the family home.
Augi (Australian Shepherd and Welsh Corgi)
The Augi is a mix between the Australian Shepherd and the Welsh Corgi and is a medium sized dog that normally weighs between 20 and 30 pounds. These pups have a high activity level and are very affectionate with their owners, making them loving family dogs who get on well with both children and animals.
Both of this breed’s parents are working dogs, which also makes the Augi an excellent working dog. These pups are often used by farmers on ranches to perform jobs and tasks. Because of their high activity level, they do have high energy needs and will need an owner that can dedicate their time to ensuring they are stimulated.
That being said, they do not need to live in the country or with wide open spaces — they will happily survive in a smaller apartment as long as you give them time for exercising outside.
Border-Aussie (Australian Shepherd and Border Collie)
The Border-Aussie is a mix between the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. This hybrid dog is a mix is playful and active but also has a sweet nature that makes it a great family dog. They love to spend their time with humans and will crave attention from time to time.
Border-Aussie’s will do best if they are brought up in a home with a big back yard where they can run around. They do have quite high energy needs and being kept holed up will likely result in them becoming bored and frustrated which can lead to undesirable behaviors.
These pups do require some grooming too to keep their fur in good condition. Their coat can be long and it can matt easily when not brushed, so this is something to keep in mind when purchasing one of these dogs.
Summary
An Australian Shepherd is a popular family dog that is known for being friendly and loving. Crossbreeding this pup with other purebred dogs creates a wide range of different breeds, some of which we have explored above. All with different personalities and traits, you can handpick the dog that you think will be best suited to your family based on your needs and situation. While most of the dogs listed here have inherited an active trait from their Australian Shepherd parent, some have a calmer nature and others are set to be working dogs. Whatever you’re looking for in a pooch, we know you’ll find it in one of these dogs!