Australian Shepherd dog smiling in a field

Australian Shepherd Insurance, Care and Health Advice

The Australian Shepherd dog breed was developed to work with livestock and excel in dog sports. Whether participating in search-and-rescue operations or simply being a loyal companion, the &quot;Aussie&quot; is a fantastic breed for active families and individuals.

Herding

Type

12 - 15 years

Lifespan

Medium

Size

14 - 20 kg

Weight

43 - 58 cm

Height

Intelligent, energetic, loyal

Temperament

60 - 90 mins per day

Exercise

Medium maintenance

Grooming

The Australian Shepherd&#39;s tail is naturally bobbed due to genetic factors, although some are born with long tails. Tail docking was historically performed by some breeders, especially in working dogs.

Yes, an Australian Shepherd&#39;s coat sheds, especially during shedding seasons. Their medium-length double coat requires regular grooming to manage shedding and prevent mats. Brushing a few times a week can help reduce the amount of loose hair in your home.

What's an Australian Shepherd's temperament?

An Australian Shepherd&#39;s temperament is energetic, intelligent and loyal. They&#39;re <a href="/all-things-pet/best-dog-breeds-for-families-with-kids" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to the best dogs for families">great family dogs</a>, but require a lot of mental stimulation and exercise. Their strong herding instincts can make them protective of their family, and they may try to herd children or other animals if not properly trained.

Are Australian Shepherds prone to digging?

If your Australian Shepherd is digging, they&#39;re likely bored or lacking physical exercise. Their herding instinct and high energy levels make them want to find something to do, and digging can become a way for them to release pent-up energy.

What's the average life expectancy of an Australian Shepherd?

The Australian Shepherd lifespan is between 12 and 15 years. With proper care, regular vet visits, and a healthy lifestyle, they can live long, happy lives.

That’s All You Need to Know About Akitas

The Australian Shepherd is an energetic, intelligent, and loyal dog breed that thrives on mental and physical exercise. With the right amount of attention, training, and activity, an Aussie can be an excellent companion for active individuals and families.

While they may require more care than some other breeds, their loving and devoted nature makes them a rewarding pet. Whether they&#39;re participating in dog sports, working as a herding dog, or simply enjoying life with their family, the Australian Shepherd is a breed that brings joy and excitement to any home.

That's All You Need to Know About Australian Shepherds

Akitas are large powerful dogs that are best suited to experienced dog owners. They&rsquo;re naturally protective and territorial. Even with early socialisation, they prefer to be solitary pets and aren&rsquo;t a good choice as a child&rsquo;s companion. Although they&rsquo;re intelligent and learn easily, they&rsquo;re also independent which can make training difficult. Akitas are hardy and healthy but can still be prone to some health problems. Make sure you&rsquo;re aware of the symptoms.

<ul>
	<li>Vetstream Ltd (online) Australian Shepherd. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/breeds/articles/australian-shepherd/</li>
	<li>Harari J &amp; Langley-Hobbs S (online) Hip: dysplasia. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/musculoskeletal/articles/hip-dysplasia/</li>
	<li>Braund K &amp; Mellersh C (online) Deafness: hereditary. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/neurology/articles/deafness-hereditary/</li>
	<li>Bagley R, Garosi L &amp; Lowrie M (online) Epilepsy: idiopathic. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/internal-medicine/articles/epilepsy-idiopathic/</li>
	<li>Gould D, Davidson P A, Williams D, Brooks D &amp; McKeever F (online) Retina: generalized progressive retinal atrophy. In: Vetlexicon Canis. Vetstream Ltd, UK. Website: https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/ophthalmology/articles/retina-generalized-progressive-retinal-atrophy/</li>
</ul>

Content provided from&nbsp;<a href="https://www.vetlexicon.com/canis/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank" title="Link to vet experts Vetstream's website">Vetstream&#39;s Vetlexicon Canis</a>

Vetlexicon is the world&rsquo;s largest peer-reviewed online clinical reference source. All our content is written and peer-reviewed by over 1,000 of the world&rsquo;s leading veterinarians, ensuring relevance, accuracy and quality.

An Australian Shepherd puppy playing with a chew toy outside

What Are Australian Shepherd Puppies Like?

Australian Shepherd <a href="/dog-insurance/puppy-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's puppy insurance">puppies</a> are lively, curious, and full of energy. They&#39;re incredibly intelligent, which makes them quick learners, but they can also be a bit stubborn at times.

As with all working dogs, Aussie puppies benefit from consistent <a href="/all-things-pet/your-guide-to-clicker-training-dogs" title="Link to Everypaw's guide on clicker training dogs">training and positive reinforcement</a>. They respond well to praise and rewards. It&#39;s important to keep training sessions fun and engaging.

<a href="/all-things-pet/puppy-socialisation-helping-your-pooch-make-pals" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to puppy socialisation">Early socialisation</a> is also crucial to help your Australian Shepherd puppy feel comfortable with people, other pets, and new environments.

An Australian Shepherd dog chasing a ball

Life with an Australian Shepherd dog is full of activity and excitement. These dogs are known for their high energy and love for physical exercise. Whether it&#39;s hiking, running, or swimming, the Australian Shepherd will eagerly join in.

Beyond their athletic abilities, these dogs are also known for their affectionate and loyal nature. They form strong bonds with their families and often seek out attention and companionship. While they love to be with their family, they can also be independent and prefer having a task to complete.

Australian Shepherd <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides" title="Link to Everypaw's dog breed guides">breed dogs</a> need a well-balanced diet that supports their high activity levels. A diet rich in quality protein, healthy fats, and essential nutrients is important for keeping them healthy and active.

It&#39;s essential to maintain their weight through portion control, as <a href="/all-things-pet/obesity-in-dogs-cats-rabbits" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to obesity in pets">obesity</a> can lead to joint problems like hip dysplasia, a common issue in the breed.

Feed your Australian Shepherd high-quality dry or wet food formulated for medium-sized, active dogs, and ensure they always have access to fresh water.

Aussies have a double coat, with a soft undercoat and a longer, wavier outer coat. To keep their medium-length coat healthy, brush them two to three times a week. You may want to <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-grooming-101" title="Link to Everypaw's dog grooming guide">increase grooming during shedding periods</a>.

Bathing should be done as needed, usually once a month. Be sure to regularly check their ears, trim their nails every 4-6 weeks, and <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-dental-care-tips" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to cleaning your dog's teeth">brush their teeth</a> to help maintain their overall health.

The Kennel Club accepted coat colours for Australian Shepherds include solid black, solid red, blue merle and red merle. White markings are accepted on the chest, legs, and areas of the face.

Aussies are highly intelligent and trainable dogs. Consistent, positive reinforcement techniques work best when training an Aussie.

As a working dog breed, they require plenty of physical exercise to burn off excess energy. Aim for at least 60-90 minutes of exercise per day, whether through <a href="/all-things-pet/guide-to-dog-walking" title="Link to Everypaw's dog walking guide">walks</a>, runs, <a href="/all-things-pet/games-to-play-with-your-dog" title="Link to Everypaw's article on games to play wiith your dog">playtime</a>, or dog sports.

It&#39;s also important to provide mental stimulation to keep their minds sharp. Puzzle toys, interactive games, and training exercises can help prevent boredom and keep your Aussie engaged.

Link to get an Everypaw Dog Insurance quote

Your Australian Shepherd is unlike any other pooch. At Everypaw, we understand that, which is why we offer a range of cover levels to suit your playful pup.&nbsp;

Of course, our cover offers protection against expensive vet bills, but there&#39;s more to it than that. <a href="/dog-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance page">Everypaw Dog Insurance</a> also comes with a host of&nbsp;additional benefits, from complementary treatment and dental cover to 24/7 access to a UK vet team, plus so much more.

Now you know that&#39;s taken care of, you can get on with what really matters - trying to tire out that energetic Aussie dog.&nbsp;

At Everypaw, our Dog Insurance offers a range of coverage options, recognising that selecting the right one can be daunting. That&#39;s why we simplify the process by presenting a clear comparison table to aid in decision-making.

Our&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/dog-insurance" target="_blank" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance Page">Dog Insurance</a>&nbsp;extends beyond veterinary fees. Our main aim is to ensure the well-being of both you and your dog, and all our Akita insurance policies include a variety of additional benefits, from complementary treatment to 24/7 access to a UK vet team. We are dedicated to insuring your dog with their and your best interests in mind.

The Australian Shepherd is ideal for active individuals or families who can provide <a href="/all-things-pet/the-dog-exercise-guide" title="Link to Everypaw's dog exercise guide">plenty of exercise</a> and <a href="/all-things-pet/top-tips-for-dog-brain-training" title="Link to Everypaw's tips for dog brain training">mental stimulation</a>. This breed needs a strong sense of structure and purpose, making it a great choice for owners who enjoy training and participating in activities like <a href="/all-things-pet/crufts-worthy-dog-training-tips" title="Link to Everypaw's dog agility training tips">agility</a>, obedience, or herding trials.

Due to the Australian Shepherd&#39;s size and energy levels, they&#39;re best suited to a rural home with plenty of space.

Despite being known as the &quot;Aussie&quot;, this breed did not originate from Australia but the Basque region of Europe. The &quot;Australian&quot; part of their name comes from the association with Basque shepherds who travelled from Australia to the United States in the 1800s.

The Akita is a powerful, large sized dog, that can be difficult to control. While they make good companions, they&rsquo;re best suited to the more experienced owner rather than first-time dog owner.&nbsp;

They have a reputation for having territorial and protective instincts, as well as being aggressive to other dogs. Because of this, they&rsquo;re better off being in single-dog households and may not be a good&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/all-things-pet/best-dog-breeds-for-families-with-kids" title="Link yo Everypaw's guide to the best family dog breeds">dog option for families with small children</a>. They&rsquo;re also not the best breed choice if you&rsquo;re away from home all day.

<a href="/all-things-pet/hip-dysplasia-in-dogs" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to hip dysplasia in dogs">Hip dysplasia</a> is a common issue in medium- and large-breed dogs and occurs when the hip joint doesn&#39;t fit properly into the hip socket, causing pain and inflammation.

While it can be a genetic condition, diet, exercise, and weight management also play a role. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment can help manage the symptoms and maintain your dog&#39;s mobility.

<a href="/all-things-pet/progressive-retinal-atrophy-in-dogs" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to PRA in dogs">PRA is a genetic eye disease in dogs</a> that causes gradual retinal degeneration. This condition causes vision loss, starting with night blindness and eventually progressing to complete blindness.

While there is no cure, early detection through eye exams can help manage the condition, allowing owners to make adjustments to their pet&#39;s environment to support their vision and quality of life.

A condition more common in dogs with merle patterns (especially double merles), deafness can be a concern for Australian Shepherds. Deafness is congenital and can be detected in puppies. While it doesn&#39;t necessarily affect their quality of life, it&#39;s important to understand the condition and provide appropriate <a href="/all-things-pet/living-with-a-deaf-dog" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to living with a deaf dog">training methods for a deaf dog</a>.

<a href="/all-things-pet/epilepsy-in-dogs/" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to epilepsy in dogs">Epilepsy</a>, a neurological disorder that causes <a href="/all-things-pet/dog-seizures" title="Link to Everypaw's guide to dog seizures">seizures</a>, is another health concern in Australian Shepherds. While it&#39;s not always hereditary, some lines of the breed are more prone to it. Seizures can be controlled with medication, and affected dogs can live a normal life with proper care and management.

Common Australian Shepherd Health Problems by Vetstream

While the Australian Shepherd is generally healthy, they can be prone to a few health conditions. We&#39;ve partnered with veterinary experts at Vetstream to provide insights into potential health issues that can affect your Australian Shepherd.

Your Australiian Shepherd is unlike any other pooch. At Everypaw, we understand that, which is why we offer a range of cover levels to suit your playful pup.&nbsp;

Of course, our cover offers protection against expensive vet bills, but there&#39;s more to it than that. <a href="/dog-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance page">Everypaw Dog Insurance</a> also comes with a host of&nbsp;additional benefits, from complementary treatment and dental cover to 24/7 access to a UK vet team - plus so much more.

Now you know that&#39;s taken care of, you can get on with what really matters - trying to tire out that energtic Aussie dog.&nbsp;

Australian Shepherd Insurance, Care, and Health Advice

Get a quote for your Australian Shepherd's insurance

Australian Shepherd

Link to the advice on when can kittens go outside

Link to log in to the Everypaw Pet Portal

Link to get a quote for Everypaw Pet Insurance 

Link to retrieve a previous Everypaw Pet Insurance quote

The benefit values featured in the table may vary across the different levels of cover and will depend on the cover you choose. Please check your cover before purchasing. Be aware, for some breeds of dogs we do not provide our &pound;8k and &pound;10k Lifetime cover. 
 
All policies and features are subject to special conditions and exclusions of the insurers, please click the link to read about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Insurance Exclusions page">our policy exclusions</a>. 
 
Excess is applicable to all vet fees claims. When your pet reaches a certain age, the excess payable may change. The excess will be your set excess plus a percentage of your claim amount.

Getting your furry friend covered shouldn&#39;t just come down to cost. There&#39;s a lot more to it than that, so take the time to do a pet insurance comparison. Think about their breed, the level of cover they might need, and what would be important to you. After all, insurance is there for both of you.

One of the best ways to do that is to compare cover levels. This will give you an idea of how much your pet insurance will cost, how much you can claim against vet bills, as well as the policy benefits. It&#39;s all about finding the Lifetime Pet Insurance that works best for you and your pet.

*Based on Everypaw claims data from February 2024 to March 2025

*Based on Everypaw claims data from January 2025 to January 2026

Deciding which pet insurance your furry bundle of fun needs can be tricky, especially if you&#39;re a new fur-parent. That&#39;s why here at Everypaw.com, we&#39;re trying to keep things simple, we&#39;re all about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/lifetime-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Lifetime Pet Insurance page">Lifetime Pet Insurance</a>.

Our Lifetime cover is available for your cats, dogs and rabbits. And if you&#39;re looking to cover your cat or dog, there&#39;s a range of cover levels to choose from. Lifetime covers your pet up to a set vet fee limit, and the limits reset for every year of cover.

An older dog for pet insurance for older pets

As our furry companions age, they&#39;re more likely to suffer from ailments and illnesses here and there. And we want you to be able to look after your pet well into retirement. That&#39;s why we don&#39;t have age limits on our policies. Our <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-insurance-for-older-pets">pet insurance for older pets</a> can help you do the most important thing &ndash; looking after your pet.

What about younger pets? We also offer <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/cat-insurance/kitten-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Kitten Insurance page">kitten</a> and <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/dog-insurance/puppy-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Puppy Insurance page">puppy insurance</a>, covered by our cat and dog insurance. No matter how old or young your purr-fect pet is, our pet insurance can give you all-important peace of mind.&nbsp;

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Whether you are looking for a playmate for your pet or if your house is more like a <a href="/dog-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Dog Insurance page">dog</a>, <a href="/cat-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Cat Insurance page">cat</a> and <a href="/rabbit-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Rabbit Insurance page">rabbit</a> smallholding, you need multi-pet insurance that works for you. Everypaw&#39;s policies are just that and give you a discount on every pet too. No matter how many pets you have, from glorious <a href="/dog-insurance/dog-breed-guides/golden-retriever-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Golden Retriever Dog Breed Guide page">Golden Retrievers</a> and majestic <a href="/cat-insurance/cat-breed-guides/maine-coon-cat-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Maine Coon Cat Breed Guide page">Maine Coons</a> to lovely <a href="/rabbit-insurance/rabbit-breed-guides/lionhead-rabbit-insurance-care-and-health-advice" title="Link to Everypaw's Lionhead Rabbit Breed Guide page">Lionheads</a>, it&#39;s there for every single paw.

Link to the Everypaw Multi-pet Insurance page

How Does Pet Insurance Work: Getting a Quote

Our pet insurance quote form takes just 3 minutes to fill out. Here&#39;s how it works:

<ul>
	<li>Select which type of pet you&#39;re looking to insure and enter their age, breed and sex</li>
	<li>Enter basic personal details about yourself including your email and home addresses</li>
	<li>Select your vet fees limit</li>
	<li>We&#39;ll give you a pet insurance price! And we&#39;ll show you what the cost is for the year, plus what your monthly instalments will look like if you choose to pay that way</li>
</ul>

Will my pet insurance cover pre-existing conditions?

Ever found the urge to discover what the best dog breeds to train are or maybe you want to get to the bottom of your pet&#39;s worm problem.&nbsp;<a href="/all-things-pet" title="Link to Everypaw's All Things Pet blog">Everypaw&#39;s All Things Pet blog</a>&nbsp;has the content to keep you informed.

Link to the advice on when kittens can go outside

When Can Kittens Go Outside?

Link to Our Top Tips on How to Calm an Excited Dog

Our Top Tips on How to Calm an Excited Dog

Link to advice on when Can Puppies Go Outside

When Can Puppies Go Outside?

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Link to Everypaw Pet Portal information page

Everypaw Pet Portal policy management icon

For that extra peace of mind when your pets get up to mischief, there&#39;s Everypaw. Our pet insurance is for cats, dogs and rabbits, and every policy comes with unlimited 24/7 access to vet nurses and vets. So, if you ever feel a bit &#39;for pet&#39;s sake&#39;, know Everypaw is here for you and your pet when you need us most!

Why Choose Everypaw for Pet Insurance in the UK?

<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/multi-pet-insurance" title="Link to Everypaw's Multi-pet Insurance page">Insure multiple pets</a>&nbsp;for a multi-pet discount

99% of claims paid in 5 working days*

Unlimited 24/7 access to UK vet nurses and vets with&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/petcall" title="Link to Everypaw's Petcall vet page">Petcall</a>

Manage your UK pet insurance policy online in the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.everypaw.com/pet-portal-info" title="Link to Everypaw's Pet Portal Information page">Pet Portal</a>

Three animals for Everypaw's Multi-pet Insurance

Choosing the right pet health insurance isn&#39;t always easy. We know that. And we also know that a key part of deciding is knowing what&#39;s not covered. That way, at least there are no nasty surprises in terms of coughing up for bills that you thought were going to be taken care of by your policy.

So, here are a few of the main exclusions on our pet insurances:

<ul>
	<li>Treatment for any pre-existing conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment for poisoning or any accidental injury that occurs in the first 3 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment for any illness that occurs in the first 14 days of your policy*</li>
	<li>Treatment related to vaccine-preventable conditions</li>
	<li>Treatment related to breeding, pregnancy or birthing</li>
	<li>Treatment on baby teeth if your pet is over 16 weeks when your policy starts</li>
</ul>

*Switching to Everypaw Pet Insurance? If you can prove your previous insurance runs up to the policy start date, we can waive this for you.

Please see our <a href="/Home/pet-insurance-policy-exclusions.html" title="Link to Everypaw's Policy Exclusions page">exclusions page</a>&nbsp;for further details.

Fingers crossed, you never have to! We want to reassure you that claiming on your pet health insurance is as hassle-free as possible. That&rsquo;s why we have Vet Pawtal. A direct platform for vets so they can submit claims and leave you to care for your pet.

Vet Pawtal is the fastest and most efficient way to claim. There&rsquo;s no more paperwork for you, and we&rsquo;ll keep you updated every step of the way.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

If your vet can&rsquo;t submit the claim, don&rsquo;t worry; you can still submit it in the <a href="https://petportal.everypaw.com/register#login" target="_blank" title="Link to the Everypaw Pet Portal">Everypaw Pet Portal</a>. It&rsquo;s straightforward; just log in and follow the instructions. Alternatively,&nbsp;you can <a href="https://www.everypaw.com/downloads-2020/everypaw-claim-form.pdf" target="_blank" title="Link to download an Everypaw claim form">download a claim form</a>, but this can take longer.

Please refer to the guidance in your policy documents for Third Party Liability claims.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

For more information, head to our <a href="/Home/claims.html">Pet Insurance Claims information page</a>.

We know pets are just as much a part of your family as any human. So, we know how important it is to you that they&#39;re protected. Choose Everypaw for pet insurance in the UK and give yourself that priceless peace of mind.

We know things can be tough right now, with many people facing money worries. If you have such concerns, please get in touch with us, as we may be able to offer some options to help, which could include reducing your cover or increasing your excess.

If you wish to find out more and your eligibility for any options, please call <a href="tel:03445431009" title="Call Everypaw Customer Services and Claims">0344 543 1009</a>.

Two levels of our Lifetime Pet Insurance cover have been rated 5 Stars by independent financial business, Defaqto, for 8 years in a row.

Everypaw partners with David Baddiel: Cat Man

Everypaw is proud to sponsor David Baddiel: Cat Man, a brand-new Channel 4 series that celebrates everything we love about cats. Hosted by David Baddiel, Cat Man explores the quirks of cat behaviour, shares heartwarming stories from cat owners across the UK and brings you fascinating feline facts you won&#39;t want to miss.

Don&#39;t miss out and join us in celebrating the wonderful world of cats! You can stream all three episodes now on Channel 4 now.

Link to Channel 4's David Baddiel Cat Man sponsored by Everypaw Pet Insurance

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Dog Insurance

Cat Insurance

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Rabbit Insurance

Pet Insurance | UK Pet Insurance Quotes | Everypaw

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Australian Shepherd Insurance, Care and Health Advice

Australian Shepherd Facts

Is an Australian Shepherd Right for Me?

What Are Australian Shepherd Puppies Like?

Life with an Australian Shepherd

Caring for Your Australian Shepherd

Dinner time

Grooming time

Training & exercise

Australian Shepherd Insurance

Common Australian Shepherd Health Problems by Vetstream

Hip dysplasia

Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)

Deafness

Epilepsy

Quick Australian Shepherd Q&A

Do Australian Shepherds have tails?

Do Australian Shepherds shed?

What's an Australian Shepherd's temperament?

Are Australian Shepherds prone to digging?

What's the average life expectancy of an Australian Shepherd?

That's All You Need to Know About Australian Shepherds

References