6 Australian Dog Breeds to Love

• Size: Medium 
• Lifespan: 12–16 years 
• Temperament: Adventurous, intelligent, loyal 

Ready for anything, Australian Cattle Dogs are full of energy and intelligence.  

These medium-size working dogs sport a short, speckled coat in shades of blue or red. This coloring also gives rise to the breed’s alternate names: Blue Heeler or Red Heeler.  

The ‘heeler’ designation tips you off to this dog’s favorite pastime: herding. So if you have small pets, you’ll need to teach this dog from an early age that the family cat isn’t a pet to herd. Instead, channel your Australian Cattle Dog’s energy into stimulating activities like playing fetch, Rally, or dock diving. 

• Size: Medium 
• Lifespan: 12–15 years 
• Temperament: All-day energy, up-for-anything sidekick, intelligent 

Australian Shepherds actually originated in the United States, but they’re included here because the breed’s name often creates understandable confusion.  

These medium-size herding dogs have a fluffy double coat and a perky, alert expression. They’re pretty much always in work mode and thrive when they have a purpose in life. If you don’t give them a job to do, they’ll find their own occupation—which might be herding your cat or children.  

More suitable ways for your Australian Shepherd to use their brains and energy include jogging, hiking, or chasing around a herding ball. With athleticism on their side, it’s no surprise that they also are frequent stars in canine agility competitions. 

• Size: Small 
• Lifespan: 11–15 years 
• Temperament: Exuberant, zippy, occasionally aloof 

The Australian Terrier is a compact dog with a big personality. These pups live large and enjoy adventure. Don’t leave them home alone all day, or they’re likely to become bored and resort to undesirable behaviors like excessive barking or chewing up your stuff.  

But with plenty of exercise and brain games, these companion dogs can be a real delight. As a bonus, they barely shed—and only need to be brushed about once a week with a stripping comb.

• Size: Extra small 
• Lifespan: 13–15 years 
• Temperament: Smarty pants, joyful, chatty 

The smallest of the Australian dog breeds, the Silky Terrier is a pint-size pal who only weighs about 10 pounds full-grown (don’t confuse them with the daintier Yorkshire Terrier).  

Although these companion dogs are much more petite than other dogs from Australia, they share a similar spunk and are known for being a bit, ahem, talkative. In other words, Silky Terriers can be barky. 

Like other Australian dog breeds, Silky Terriers love to be active. These little dogs do best with at least an hour of exercise a day, and they hate to be left alone for long periods. Despite the fact that they have short legs, they’ll happily join you for a short, reasonably paced jog—and they also love to employ their keen sense of smell in scent work competitions.  

• Size: Medium 
• Lifespan: 10–13 years 
• Temperament: Enthusiastic, loyal, worker bee 

The Australian Kelpie is well-known for their strong drive and athleticism. These dogs are energetic enough to go the distance as a long-distance running partner but also chill enough to enjoy movie night on the couch afterward.  

Because they are very smart dogs, Kelpies are quick learners. Give them a brain and body workout by challenging them with activities like scent work and tracking, or by letting them show off their moves in dock diving or disc dog competitions.

• Size: Medium 
• Lifespan: 12–15 years 
• Temperament: Loyal, hardworking, reserved 

The most distinctive feature of the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog is the lack of a tail; these dogs naturally have a bobbed backside.  

Their blue or red coat and similar size make them a close double for the Australian Cattle Dog. However, Stumpies are a bit less gregarious. They reserve their affection for their family members and close friends.  

A Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog needs work to do, even if it’s not the typical farm work the breed was developed to do. These dogs thrive when they have the chance to expend energy and use their brain, so challenge them with activities like advanced agility or let them loose in the (fenced!) backyard with a herding ball. 

The Australian Shepherd is the most popular “Australian” dog breed, but in reality, the breed originated in the United States. In 2025, Aussies ranked as the 14th most popular dog breed in the United States, ​​according to the AKC. 

Because Australian dog breeds have lots of energy and bond tightly to their family members, many of these dogs thrive as part of an active family. However, because these breeds have strong herding instincts, many may be a better fit for families with older children.  

Many of the popular Australian dog breeds have a livestock-herding history—including the Australian Cattle Dog, Australian Shepherd, Australian Kelpie, and Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog. Australian Terriers were primarily bred to help control rodents, but they could also help with sheep herding. 

The only Australian dog breed that doesn’t share this herding heritage is the Silky Terrier. These small dogs were bred to be companions, and doubled as mouse and rat hunters on farms. 

Yes, you can expect any Australian dog breed to be high–energy. The Australian Shepherd is the largest while the Silky Terrier is the smallest—but both breeds (and all the ones in between) are noted for being energetic.