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Australian Shepherds for Sale: 2024 Breeders List in the United States

Rachael Gerkensmeyer

By Rachael Gerkensmeyer

australian shepherd

Hepper advocates for adopting before shopping. We understand there are many reasons for seeking a breeder though, so we encourage it to be done the right way. Learn more.

Australian Shepherds are amazing, strong creatures that love to spend time with humans. They make great guard dogs and are excellent with children, especially during playtime. These dogs are intelligent, curious, and interactive, which makes them suitable for families of all shapes and sizes. Who wouldnโ€™t want to have an Australian Shepherd as a pet of their own?

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Australian Shepherd Breeders in the United States

Red Merle Australian Shepherd
Image Credit: Eve Photography, Shutterstock

Buying an Australian Shepherd is a great deal of responsibility. First, you must find a reputable breeder to buy from. Then, there are the logistics of paying for your new puppy and getting them home for the first time. Veterinarian appointments and new bedding, toys, and food dishes are all necessary too.

But until you find a breeder whom you are comfortable working with, nothing else matters. Luckily, there are plenty of reputable breeders located in the United States to consider buying an Australian Shepherd from.

Here are a few specific breeders to start checking out today:
  • Antebellum Aussies โ€” They sell puppies, studs, and training services in the State of Alabama. They sometimes have adult Australian Shepherds for sale.
  • Old West Aussies โ€” They breed Australian Shepherd puppies in California. They are members of the United States Australian Shepherd Association and the Australian Shepherd Club of America.
  • Timber Run Australian Shepherds โ€” They focus on health, conformation, and temperament when breeding their puppies. They offer both show and companion puppies at different times of the year.

Australian Shepherd Breeders Near Me

The United States Australian Shepherd Association1 has an impressive list of breeders located throughout the country. You can browse by state and find out what services are offered by each breeder.

Australian Shepherd Breeders That Ship

The Australian Shepherd Kennel2 offers shipping services for the Aussies that they breed. They guarantee safe delivery and utilize pet nanny services to ensure that the guarantee is met. They also offer white glove delivery options.

Australian Shepherd Rescue

Rescuing an unwanted Australian Shepherd is a wonderful thing that any family can do for the breed. Multiple rescue organizations can help connect you with the perfect Australian Shepherd who needs a loving home.

Australian Shepherd Breeders Registered with the American Kennel Club

The American Kennel Club is the most prominent dog registry in the United States. The organization offers information on breeders located throughout the country3.

blue eyed australian shepherd
Image Credit: eather Skau, Shutterstock

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How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Cost?

Australian Shepherds are beloved all over the United States, so they are not cheap. You can expect to pay anywhere from $800 to more than $2,000 for an Australian Shepherd puppy. The cost typically depends on things such as the puppyโ€™s lineage, the quality of care that the puppy gets at the breeder facility, and the reputation of the breeder facility itself.

The initial cost of the puppy is not all that a prospective owner must budget for when they decide to bring a new Australian Shepherd puppy home. They need to visit a veterinarian for health checkups and vaccinations, and bedding, toys, and more should be purchased before a new puppy is introduced to their new forever home.

Things to Ask an Australian Shepherd Breeder

Australian Shepherd
Image Credit: Petra Heike Laicher, Pixabay

Before deciding whether to buy an Australian Shepherd puppy from a particular breeder, there are several things that you should ask the breeder to ensure that they are reliable and ethical. Here are a few important questions to add to a list of your own before meeting with a breeder for the first time.

1. What Are the Breeding Objectives?

It is important to find out the breederโ€™s objectives when deciding whether to work with them. Does the breeder want to make money or just share the love and affection that these dogs have to offer? Do they function more like a pet shop or a caretaker? Make sure that the breeder is in it for the health, safety, and happiness of the dogs, not the profits.


2. What Kind of Breeding Is Practiced?

There is a big difference between backyard breeders, commercial breeders, and hobby breeders. The backyard and commercial breeders typically breed their dogs for profit and nothing more. Commercial breeders usually maintain larger operations than backyard breeders, so they abide by state and federal regulations. Backyard breeders usually run small operations and consider themselves exempt from the laws on the books.

Even those that follow the law may not be doing all that they can to ensure healthy and happy lives for their breeding dogs and puppies. Furthermore, state and federal laws do not go far enough to ensure the complete protection and optimal care of dogs and puppies living in breeder facilities across the country.

Hobby breeders do not breed their dogs for the money. They do it for the love of it. They want to share Australian Shepherds with the world. They tend to have other jobs to pay the bills. Therefore, they tend to take the best care of their puppies. So, it is important to determine what kind of breeder you are working with from the get-go.


3. Does the Breeding Facility Belong to Any Clubs?

There are a few clubs in the United States that support Australian Shepherd breeders in various ways. Breeders that belong to at least one club are held to strict standards, so the puppy you buy from them is likely of optimal quality.

Ask any breeder for a list of kennel clubs that they officially belong to, and verify their affiliation before making any buying decisions.

australian shepherd
Image Credit: JitkaP, Shutterstock

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3 Things to Know Before Buying an Australian Shepherd

Before bringing a new Australian Shepherd puppy home for the first time, it is a good idea to learn a little about them so you know how to properly care for them. Here are a few things that any prospective owner should know before buying an Australian Shepherd.

1. They Are Instinctive Herders

These dogs were originally bred to herd animals, so owners should not be surprised if their Australian Shepherds try to herd the other pets that live in their household. If socialized with other animals while still puppies, these dogs will be less likely to behave with herding tendencies. But even then, the herding may need to be managed as this breed ages.


2. They Tend to Shed Frequently

It is important to invest in a good vacuum and quality grooming tools when deciding to become an Australian Shepherd owner. These dogs need to be brushed daily to keep shedding to a minimum. When spending time indoors, you can expect your pup to shed plenty of hair that needs to be swept or vacuumed up. Some owners even choose to keep their dogโ€™s hair trimmed to reduce shedding problems.


3. They Can Perform Multiple Types of Jobs

Australian Shepherds can do more than just keep their human companions entertained. This breed can be trained to effectively guard your house whether someone is home or not. It can also work on a farm, work as a seeing-eye dog, provide assistance to those who are disabled, work with police to sniff out drugs, and rescue individuals who are in dangerous situations. Therefore, you can take advantage of your dogโ€™s abilities to keep your family and home safe.

australian shepherd dog training for dog show
Image Credit: LRuss, Pixabay

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Final Thoughts

Australian Shepherds are amazing dogs with plenty of life, love, and affection to share with their human counterparts. There are many amazing breeders located throughout the United States that just may have the perfect puppy for your household. However, consider checking with rescue centers first. If a purebred Australian Shepherd is available for adoption, you can save a life by adding them to your family environment.


Featured Image Credit: Ksenia Raykova, Shutterstock

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