12 Australian Shepherd Mixed Breeds (With Pictures)
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The Australian Shepherd is probably one of the smartest dogs you’ll ever meet, as their intelligence is legendary. Thoughtful selective breeding first happened in Europe, and then Australia fine-tuned the herding instincts of this pooch. It certainly helps that they’re so darn delightful as a pet. They are an active pup that needs a job to keep them happy and occupied.
Mixed breeds share the love of this handsome canine in other equally delightful matches. Our lineup includes some natural crosses, along with a few surprises. If there’s anything you can say about life with an Australian Shepherd, it’s that it’s never dull. They are eager to please and learn new tricks so much so that they’ll take the lead themselves if given a chance. With all that said, here are the 12 Australian Shepherd mix dogs you should know:
Top 12 Australian Shepherd Mixes:
1. Sheprador (Australian Shepherd x Labrador Retriever)
You know you have a winner when you take the Australian Shepherd’s intelligence and combine it with the cute, lovable nature of the American Kennel Club’s (AKC) most popular breed, the Labrador Retriever. The latter tames the protectiveness of the former with an unbanished affection for everyone they meet. Both parent breeds are incredibly playful and always ready to play catch.
2. Aussie-Poo (Australian Shepherd x Poodle)
Both the Australian Shepherd and the Poodle are active dogs. The former prefers the open plains, while the latter takes to the water. Both parents are intelligent and eager-to-please pupils. The Aussie sheds seasonally. If you’re lucky, more of the Poodle will come through, which can help reduce the amount of fur loss and add some curl to the wavy coat.
3. Australian Retriever (Australian Shepherd x Golden Retriever)
The hits keep coming with the sweet Golden Retriever added to the mix. The Golden Retriever brings tolerance and patience to the table. That’s a good thing, too, if the Australian Shepherd’s job is to herd the kids. Affectionate and playfulness are high on the list of desirable traits of both of these popular breeds. Together, they make a delightful pet with plenty of love to share.
4. Shel-Aussie (Australian Shepherd x Shetland Sheepdog)
The Shetland Sheepdog brings down the size of the Australian Shepherd a bit if you prefer a smaller dog with many of the same temperament qualities. The former’s coat is quite a bit longer and will require frequent brushing to keep the mats under control. The Sheltie is marginally calmer and will reduce the nippiness that is sometimes characteristic of Aussies.
5. Bossie (Australian Shepherd x Boston Terrier)
This cutie is loyal with lots of affection to give, with the expectation of receiving affection too, of course. The Boston Terrier brings a smaller size with less shedding to this mixed breed. They may even curb the Australian Shepherd’s vocal nature a bit. Activity is the order of the day with the Bossie. It’s helpful, given both breeds’ tendency to gain weight if not given enough exercise.
6. Border-Aussie (Australian Shepherd x Border Collie)
You’ll have a herder extraordinaire with the Border-Aussie mixed breed. Both breeds take their job seriously, although the Border Collie is a bit less intense about it in comparison. They’re a tad smaller too, but with a similar coat and grooming needs. This pooch prefers to be on the go instead of vegging out on the couch, so they’d make an ideal running partner.
7. Bull-Aussie (Australian Shepherd x English Bulldog)
The Bull-Aussie scales back the energy level of the Australian Shepherd and replaces it with greater adaptability to different living conditions, even an apartment. The English Bulldog adds some bulk to the Aussie’s lean body, along with some shorter fur to tame the shedding somewhat. Both parent breeds crave attention and do best with positive reinforcement when it comes to training.
8. Auggie (Australian Shepherd x Pembroke Welsh Corgi)
The Auggie takes off some inches on the height of the Australian Shepherd and replaces it with some gusto from the cattle-herding Pembroke Welsh Corgi. The latter is another adaptability breed. They are not quite as dog-friendly; nevertheless, they’re still affectionate with their family. While the pups are easy to groom, they shed a lot depending on how much of the Corgi is in them.
9. Australian Eskimo (Australian Shepherd x American Eskimo)
The Australian Shepherd and American Eskimo share a history as performers. The former competes in the AKC circuit and various venues, while the latter worked in circuses. As you may expect with the name, they also bring a higher tolerance for the cold. Both are active dogs and easy to train. The hybrid Australian Eskimo pups love their families to a fault and can succumb to separation anxiety without enough attention.
10. Aussie-Pom (Australian Shepherd x Pomeranian)
The Aussie-Pom is a curious mix. In many ways, the Pomeranian is the polar opposite of the Australian Shepherd. They are companion pets with a lower energy level and less tolerance for kids and other pets. They are also quite a bit smaller with a far lower wanderlust potential. The Aussie will give chase to a passing rabbit, whereas the Pomeranian would prefer to stay with you.
11. Confetti Australian Schnauzer (Australian Shepherd x Confetti Australian Schnauzer)
The Confetti Australian Schnauzer is another smaller version of the Australian Shepherd with some interesting new traits. The Schnauzer is a low-shedding dog with a contagious enthusiasm for everything they do. They are also the smaller of the two parent breeds. This pup brings a spirited nature to the hybrid, which we’d expect from a Terrier.
12. Ausky (Australian Shepherd x Husky)
The Ausky takes the intelligence of the Australian Shepherd and tosses in the willfulness of the Siberian Husky. They have a similar energy level, but they aren’t the best choice for the first-time pet owner. This hybrid has the dense coat of the latter with its accompanying tolerance for cold weather. It’s essential to take the upper hand in training with this pup, given the double dose of wanderlust with the two breeds.
Final Thoughts
The Australian Shepherd offers a lot of potential as a hybrid dog. They bring keen intelligence and an eagerness to learn. If their energy is over the top, there are plenty of excellent choices for another parent breed to kick it down a notch. The loving devotion to family is a wonderful thing that this spunky canine offers to any mixed breed that starts with an Aussie.
See also:
- Australian Shepherd Beagle Mix Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
- Catahoula Australian Shepherd Mix Info: Pictures, Temperament & Traits
Featured Image Credit: JitkaP, Shutterstock
