Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living. Medium-large-sized homes with gardens are best, but they can do well in smaller homes, too. Just so long as they get everything they need to be happy and healthy!
Ideal Environment for an Australian Shepherd
In fact, many Aussies happily live in city apartments so long as they have plenty of enrichment like puzzle feeders, games, and access to outdoor space to run around. Plan on at least an hour of exercise daily, and that doesn't mean leisurely neighborhood walks.
If you live in a warmer climate or somewhere where it is not too cold, then yes your Australian Shepard can have a good life outside. The only thing to be mindful of is that they need shelter from sun and rain and will require plenty of space for exercise!
As medium-sized dogs with big personalities, Australian Shepherds are best suited to living in medium-large sized homes with some kind of outdoor space. That said, smaller homes and apartments aren't necessarily a no-no, just as long as you can get them outside for toilet time and provide sufficient exercise and play.
Although Aussies are super outdoorsy, they are best suited to indoor living, like most companion pets. Many working Aussies even live indoors, these days. That said, as long as the conditions are safe, Australian Shepherds can sleep outside.
They require plenty of attention. Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
Dogs are evolved to be social – needing humans
Dogs are highly sociable creatures, much like we are. In fact, it's the wolves with the most sociable traits that are thought to have first crossed over to being human companions. That's yet another reason dogs should sleep indoors rather than outside at night.
Australians are the worlds earliest population to call it a night, according to a new study. The average Aussie goes to bed just after 10:45pm, which is more than an hour earlier than the late night Spaniards, the University of Michigan's global sleep pattern research found.
At 2-3 years of age, Mini Aussies are considered mentally developed and will be better at regulating their energy levels. In other words, they will start to calm down!
Australian Shepherds prefer temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, but they can withstand a wide range of temperatures.
Herding, agility, flyball and disk catching can provide both mental and physical exercise. Australian Shepherds enjoy cold weather, but cannot live outside in it.
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months. Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them. This fits the self-controlled personality that Aussies possess.
Their high energy can be a blessing and a curse. An inactive Australian Shepherd can become bored and even destructive when not exercised. This fun-loving breed requires a lot of exercise and needs to stay active; whether it's playing fetch or taking a long walk every day, make sure to keep your Aussie moving!
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don't know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.
Letting Your Dog on the Bed is YOUR Choice!
There may be a rare exception, but I can't think of any reason why a dog should have to sleep on your bed. Of course, if he's accustomed to sleeping on his human's bed and you abruptly evict him, he's likely to tell you how he feels about it in no uncertain terms.
Australian Shepherds need to vent their energy on a regular basis and to utilize their active and brilliant minds, otherwise they will become out of control and bored stiff -- which they usually express by barking and destroying. A bored Aussie will trash your house and yard.
Keeping a bed or crate in your room is a nice middle ground between co-sleeping and not fighting over leg room. Of course, there are some legitimate reasons to keep your dog closed out of your room. Some dogs will wake up their pet parents in the middle of the night by making noise or moving around.
If he is young, new to you, or you otherwise can't yet depend on impeccable house behavior, a crate in a different room might be the best choice. You could also give him a dog bed in the bedroom and use a dog gate or keep the door shut. Even if your dog sleeps in a crate—or in your bed—he'll still need a dog bed.
Never leave your dog unattended for long periods of time, this includes overnight. If something happens to your dog such as heatstroke or hypothermia, the longer it goes unattended the worse it will be for him. Always check on him to make sure he has enough water and is not exhibiting any signs of health issues.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety.
DON'T stay away too long.
Most experts agree you shouldn't leave your adult dog alone for more than eight to 10 hours, but some dogs (especially ones with small bladders) can't last that long.
About the Breed
Being a medium-sized dog, Australian Shepherds, on average, weigh between 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches in height. Their expected lifespan is 12-15 years.