Temperament and care ratings
The American Kennel Club rates every breed from 1 to 5 on the traits below. They describe how the breed tends to be, not a promise about one dog.
Coat: Double coat, medium.
A Australian Shepherd suits
- A family with young children (rated 5 of 5 with kids)
- A first-time owner who wants an eager learner (trainability 5 of 5)
- Runners, hikers and active households (energy 5 of 5)
Think twice if
- You are out most of the day: energy is rated 5 of 5
- You can't offer daily training or puzzle games (mental stimulation needs 5 of 5)
What the ratings mean day to day
An energy score of 5 and mental stimulation needs of 5 mean plenty of daily exercise plus training games or puzzle feeders. With barking at 3 of 5 and a watchdog score of 3, expect some barking at the door. Grooming at 2 of 5 means an occasional brush.
Popularity
The Australian Shepherd was the number 14 most popular breed in the US in 2025, by AKC registrations. In 2020 it ranked 12.
Breeds with a similar profile
Closest matches across all 14 trait ratings:
Compare: Australian Shepherd vs Brittany · Australian Shepherd vs Belgian Malinois · Australian Shepherd vs Belgian Tervuren
Frequently asked questions
Are Australian Shepherds good with kids?
The AKC rates the Australian Shepherd 5 out of 5 for being good with young children. That is the top score.
Do Australian Shepherds shed a lot?
Shedding is rated 3 out of 5 (moderate), and coat grooming 2 out of 5.
Are Australian Shepherds easy to train?
Trainability is rated 5 out of 5 and mental stimulation needs 5 out of 5.
How much energy does a Australian Shepherd have?
Energy is rated 5 out of 5 and playfulness 4 out of 5.
Ratings: American Kennel Club breed pages, compiled February 2022 (AKC Australian Shepherd page). 2025 ranking: AKC, published August 2026. How we check.