Australian Shepherds are a medium-sized working breed, which means they need an environment with focused activity and an owner who will properly care for them. They crave attention and want to be around their people often. Australian Shepherds are known for their high energy levels and they require a balanced diet that is filled with vitamins, nutrients, minerals, and healthy protein. This type of diet will keep Australian Shepherds healthy and will help them recover from their daily exercise.
| Dog Age: | Recommendation: | Rating: | Ingredients: |
|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy: | Blue Buffalo Red Meat Puppy Food | 4.8 / 5.0 | Beef, peas, pea protein, fish meal, eggs, flaxseed, tomatoes, fish oil. |
| Adult: | Wild Earth Clean Protein Dog Food | 4.9 / 5.0 | Yeast protein, chickpeas, oats, peas, potatoes, canola oil, sweet potato, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, fish oil. |
| Senior: | Wild Earth Clean Protein Dog Food | 4.9 / 5.0 | Yeast protein, chickpeas, oats, peas, potatoes, canola oil, sweet potato, flaxseeds, sunflower seeds, fish oil. |
Average Healthy Weight of Australian Shepherd’s
Healthy Male Weight: 50-65 lbs
Healthy Female Weight: 40-55 lbs
Australian Shepherd Breed Summary
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog with a loyal character and a lot of energy. They often work on cattle ranches or as pets of families that are away from home for long periods of time. Smart and always busy, this breed will rather move furniture around than sit on it. Aussie’s require training consistency as they are highly intelligent and will outsmart their handler. This breed is suited for an energetic, task-oriented environment. They have a stare that uses an icy glare to intimidate their charges, sheep or cattle, into bending to its will. The misnamed Australian shepherd was bred from the start as a ranch worker but will also make a great family pet if you are a dedicated owner who can provide them with the exercise they need.
American Kennel Club Breed Classification: Herding Dog
Recommended Daily Exercise Amount: 1-3 hours/day
Physical Traits of Australian Shepherds
Australian Shepherds are generally thought of as medium sized breeds with long, course hair that will require regular brushing.
Personality Traits
Incredibly smart, loyal, energetic, and loyal
Potential Health Considerations for Australian Shepherds
Your dog will be healthy if they get enough exercise and a balanced diet. Aussie’s breeds are more susceptible to go through surgery for hip dysplasia or cataracts, so make sure they are checked early on for any health concerns. Make sure their ears are clean, and that there aren’t any excess buildups of tartar in their teeth
Dysplasia (Hip And Elbow)
Dysplasia is a genetic condition where an Australian Shepherd’s bones don’t align properly in their joint socket, leading to arthritis later in life and the potential for pain. Corrective surgery may be necessary, but you can help mitigate the chance of this occurring or the effects of erosion and pain by making sure your dog’s diet includes these ingredients:
- Glucosamine
- Methylsulfonymethane
- Chondroitin
- Omega-3 from Fish Oil
- Green Mussel
- Taurine
- Turmeric
- Vitamin E
- Antioxidants
Hip and elbow dysplasia is common for large dog breeds such as German Shepherds, Great Danes, Greyhounds, and other large breeds. For this reason you must pick a dog food that will be beneficial for their joints and muscle maintenance.
Best Dog Food For Australian Shepherd Puppies
Age of Australian Puppies:
10 weeks – 12 Months old
Aussie puppy diets need to have high caloric content, ideally from quality animal sources. When introducing new foods, your pup may develop allergies to grains and need a grain-free option. Australian Shepherd’s are vulnerable to require grain-free dog food because of their sensitive stomachs.
Below are the dog foods we recommend for Australian Shepherd Puppies:
| Recommended Dog Food: | Key Benefits: | Shop Now! |
|---|---|---|
Blue Buffalo Red Meat Puppy Food | - High protein red meat recipe crafted with beef to help build lean muscle. - Grain-free blend specifically designed for puppies that contains healthy antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals selected by veterinarians. - 32% Protein Content. - 16% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
Purina Healthy Puppy Food | - U.S farm-raised chicken based puppy food with additional vitamins, nutrients, and minerals. - Contains 23 essential vitamins and minerals with included DHA to support brain and vision development. - 28% Protein Content. - 14% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
Best Dog Foods For Adult Australian Shepherds
Age Range of Adult Aussies:
1 year old – 7 years old
When you feed your adult Australian Shepherd it is important to ensure that they are getting enough nutrients and protein to help them grow and stay healthy. You will want foods that are 100% all-natural and contain no additional fillers. These include meats or fishes with vegetables for vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, glucosamine, chondroitin, omega fatty acids, and probiotics.
Recommended Dog Food For Adult Aussies:
| Recommended Dog Food: | Key Benefits: | Shop Now! |
|---|---|---|
Wild Earth Clean Protein Dog Food | - Clean protein recipe designed with prebiotics and probiotics for optimal digestion and allergy health. - Crafted with recognizable superfoods such as spinach, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pumpkin, oats, and no fillers or additives. - 31% Protein Content. - 10.5% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
Blue Buffalo Duck Blend | - High-protein formula with lean protein duck blend to help maintain healthy lean muscle mass. - Contains healthy carbohydrates such as green peas and sweet potatoes as well as additional omega-3 and omega-6 essential fatty acids. - 34% Protein Content. - 15% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
Best Dog Food For Senior Australian Shepherds
Age range of senior Aussies:
7+ years old
Senior Australian Shepherds will need a higher quality protein in their diet, which can be challenging for any pet owner. They may become less able to digest or take in nutrients from their food and will need fewer fat calories. Pay close attention to your senior dog’s weight by maintaining strict portion controls and encourage activity. Below are the dog foods that we recommend for senior Australian Shepherds because of their clean protein content that is healthy for their muscle, bones, and even their liver enzyme levels. The below dog foods also provide additional nutrients and vitamins to benefit their joint health and energy levels.
Recommended dog food for senior Aussies:
| Recommended Dog Food: | Key Benefits: | Shop Now! |
|---|---|---|
| Wild Earth Clean Protein Dog Food | - Clean protein recipe designed with prebiotics and probiotics for optimal digestion and allergy health. - Crafted with recognizable superfoods such as spinach, sweet potatoes, chickpeas, pumpkin, oats, and no fillers or additives. - 31% Protein Content. - 10.5% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
Blue Buffalo Senior Dog Food | - A high-quality chicken protein blend with additional vitamins, minerals, and nutrients to help support your senior dog. - Contains additional omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids to improve the joint health and cognitive health of your dog. - 30% Protein Content. - 12% Healthy Fat Content. | Shop Now |
