Shelties tend to have higher grooming needs due to their long coats. They’re very adaptive but have strong guarding instincts. The Australian Shepherd is a moderate to high maintenance breed that requires quite a lot of grooming, exercise, and attention. In this article, we’ll talk through all of these differences to teach you more about these fantastic breeds!
Comparing Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd
Key Differences Between a Shetland Sheepdog and Australian Shepherd
The biggest difference between a Shetland Sheepdog and an Australian Shepherd is their tendency to bark. While Aussies are moderate barkers with some guarding tendencies, Shelties are frequent barkers with very strong guarding instincts. Other differences between the breeds include their sizes, coats, lifespans, temperaments, energy levels, and grooming needs. We’ll dive into all of these fully below so you can learn more about these lovable pups!
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Size
Shetland Sheepdogs are much smaller dogs, standing at 13-16 inches and weighing just 15-25 pounds. In contrast, Australian Shepherds are 18-23 inches tall and weigh 40-65 pounds. The size of your pet dog can impact your lifestyle in many ways! Smaller dogs are easier to control on a leash before they learn their manners and are easier to lift if necessary. They also bring in a smaller food bill and, typically, lower veterinary costs since larger dogs need higher amounts of medications. Larger dogs are better for protection purposes and often can keep up better on a run than those with short legs!
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Coat
Shelties have long, double coats. The AKC breed standard accepts the following colors:
Black and whiteBlack, white, and tanBlue, merle, and whiteBlue, merle, white, and tanSable, merle, and white
Aussies have medium-length double coats in the colors black, blue merle, red, or red merle. They can also have white markings, tan points, or both.
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Lifespan
We typically expect smaller dogs to live longer than larger ones. However, an Australian Shepherd might live a bit longer on average than a Sheltie despite their size difference. With Aussies living an average of 13-15 years and Shelties just 12-14 years, it’s a small difference—but still noteworthy. Of course, a dog’s genetic health and the way you care for them will also impact their lifespan. Some dogs will live shorter than predicted, while others live well above the average age for their breed.
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Temperament
Aussies have some guarding tendencies and may be wary around strange people and dogs. However, Shelties have them beat when it comes to guarding instincts! These dogs are very alert to their surroundings and will let you know if anything is amiss. They’re not very open to strange people, and it may take them time to learn that someone new is okay. Once they realize you accept this person, though, your Sheltie should begin to calm down around them. Keep an eye on both dogs and socialize them well so that they don’t fear strangers or see them as threats, as that line of thinking can lead to aggression. Unlike Australian Shepherds, Shelties do great around other dogs and don’t typically have that same wariness as they might around strange humans. Shetland Sheepdogs also tend to be more adaptive to changes in their environment or lifestyle, and they’ll show more affection toward their families. Aussies love their families too but tend to show more independence.
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Energy Level
Both dogs are high-energy and should be able to keep up with your lifestyle even if you’re incredibly active! However, Shelties are more adaptive and can handle a bit less exercise than an Aussie. Australian Shepherds need one to two hours of high-impact exercise a day, such as racing around the backyard, playing fetch, or going for a long hike. More is usually better so long as you give your dog breaks to rest as well—remember, dogs need an average of 11 hours of sleep a day!
Shetland Sheepdog vs Australian Shepherd: Barking Level
Shetland Sheepdogs can bark at everything! They’re very vocal dogs, and excessive barking is very common, especially if they aren’t given enough activity. If you notice your Sheltie being very vocal, try exercising it and see if it helps. Even when tired, however, they’re likely to be alert and bark, especially at perceived threats. Australian Shepherds are moderate barkers and can also have problematic barking behaviors, though not as frequently. Again, this is typically due to a lack of exercise or mental stimulation.
