Australian Shepherds, or Aussies, are a beautiful breed of dogs that make great companions and family pets.
The breed is easy to train and loyal, and these high-energy dogs will be able to keep up with your ever-changing life.
Despite common misconceptions, Australian Shepherds were not originally from Australia.
Their lineage can be traced back to the United States, as far back as the mid-nineteenth century.
Their original purpose was to herd sheep and livestock, and they’re still great for this purpose, but are mainly pets enjoying home life these days.
Like purebred Aussies, Aussie mixes demonstrate a powerful work ethic and love to play.
So, which crossbreeds are the best?
Based on our research, these are the most diligent and endearing Aussie mixes that will not only make a statement with their unique appearance but also quickly become your best friend.
Here are our top 9 Aussie mixes, plus 3 more breeds to consider!
How We Chose Some of the Best Aussie Mixes
We considered the qualities of Aussies and the qualities of the other breeds.
We took a look at each Aussie mix’s behaviors and tendencies, allowing us to decide which would make the best pets.
Australian Shepherds are a breed of dog with abundant good qualities such as loyalty, work ethic, high energy, and loving personalities.
When mixed with another breed, those qualities can grow or become enhanced.
Evaluating each breed’s behaviors allowed us to see if they’re great family pets or first-time pet owners, along with if they require a great deal of maintenance or not.
We researched the Aussie mix’s behaviors and the behaviors of the parents.
Lastly, we considered their appearance. All of these Aussie mixes are cute as puppies and blossom into beautiful dogs as adults.
Taking any of these dogs out for a walk will certainly get people’s heads turning!
We believe these are some of the best Australian mix breeds out there.
Best Australian Shepherd Mix Breeds
- Auberman
- Australian Retriever
- Aussie Pit
- Border Aussie
- Aussiedor
- Aussiedoodle
- Sheagle
- Auggie
- Dalshep
1. Auberman
A mix between an Australian Shepherd and a Doberman, Aubermans are incredibly loyal and have high energy.
The first thing we noticed about the Auberman is its commitment to loyalty.
These dogs love their humans and will protect them at all costs.
If you’re looking for a confident, natural leader in a dog, then this mix would be perfect for you.
The Auberman costs around $300 to $900, depending on where you get one. Professional breeders may be more expensive to purchase an Auberman from.
They tend to live around 10-15 years.
Size & Coat
Aubermans are one of the larger mix-breeds because of the Doberman lineage. They can range from 18 to 24 inches and 50 to 90 pounds.
Larger breeds need more space than smaller breeds inside the house.
If you’re interested in a larger breed, keep in mind that they’re also harder to control and much stronger.
Making sure you train a large breed properly is extremely important. Out of control large breed dogs can cause harm to others or yourself.
The Aubermans coat consists of short hair so it’s fairly easy to maintain, and there’s no need to visit the groomer.
This short-haired breed may shed during the warmer seasons, so prepare to clean up after this Aussie mix.
Their coat color tends to be black, white, and brown. Any mixture of the two is possible and they can either be single or multicolored.
Behavior & Tendencies
Dobermans are loyal leaders. Aussies are energetic and loyal.
Mixed together these dogs are highly energetic, loyal, and born leaders.
They tend to be more skeptical of strangers and would want to keep you and your family safe from any potential threat.
However, they can become aggressive to visitors if they are not trained well.
Since they’re leaders they want to be the alpha. If you decide to adopt this breed then dominance training from puppyhood is a must.
Trainability
At a young age, they are easy to train, though they need to be reminded throughout their lives of their training.
Their training would be best described as “use it or lose it”.
2. Australian Retriever
This breed is a mixture of an Australian Shepherd and a Golden Retriever.
Both of these breeds are on the list of the most popular breeds in the United States so it’s no surprise that these are popular crossbreeds.
When we saw the Australian Retriever, we knew it would be a popular, friendly breed.
Golden retrievers are naturally easy-going, happy dogs.
Mixing them with an Aussie makes a cute, multicolored breed with a surplus of great qualities.
Australian Retrievers can be on the cheaper side ranging around $200 if adopted from a pound or friend.
Purchasing one from a reputable breeder can cost up to $1,000.
Their life span is 10-12 years.
Size & Coat
Aussie Retrievers are medium to large-sized dogs with a medium-length fur coat.
They’re usually 19 to 24 inches tall and weigh about 40 to 65 pounds, but can be larger because of the Golden Retriever genetics.
Depending on which traits are more dominant in these dogs, their size may be larger, and their fur length and density may vary.
Golden retrievers leave behind a lot of hair, so if the mix has dominant Golden Retriever hair, expect a lot of shedding around your house.
Their coat color consists of white, brown, black, gold, and a mix of these shades. The colors and patterns vary between each dog.
Behavior & Tendencies
These dogs are extremely energetic and happy-go-lucky.
They love people and are genuinely happy all the time. They behave well with children and are not aggressive.
Like all Aussie mixes, they need to roam and exercise.
If they are not exercised properly, they may become unhappy and demonstrate destructive tendencies.
Making sure you have enough time to dedicate to their exercise is important.
Trainability
Aussie Retrievers are one of the easiest mixed breeds to train.
They are obedient and quick learners. They know who the boss is and will easily fit into a family.
This breed is friendly and would be a great dog to teach young children how to train the dog, as well.
3. Aussie Pit
Image Source: Dogtime
The Aussie Pit is a highly energetic Australian Shepherd Pitbull mix.
These dogs integrate well with children and are always on the lookout to keep their families safe.
The Aussie Pit would be a great guard dog, and the Aussie mix can help dispel some stereotypes that go along with the Pitbull breed.
If the dog displays enough Aussie genetics, it may even be welcomed into civic situations and dog parks where pure Pitbulls may be banned.
They work well with children and would make a great addition as a companion who can keep you safe.
Obedience training and dominance training from puppyhood are vital for raising a well-balanced Pitbull.
When well-trained, confident, and secure, they are loving, playful, and even silly dogs.
Aussie Pits cost around $250 to $1,000.
It’s likely that you’ll be able to get them on the cheaper side from local breeders, though a well-bred mix can be more expensive.
These dogs live around 10 to 15 years.
Size & Coat
These are medium to large-sized dogs that require their own space in your home.
They can range from 17 to 23 inches tall and weigh between 30 to 85 pounds because some Pitbulls are much bigger than others.
They are easier to maintain than other dogs because of their short fur.
Groomers likely won’t be necessary for this breed.
Their coat color tends to be brown, white, black, or grey. Each dog has a different coat, and they may even have spots on them.
Behavior & Tendencies
Aussie Pits are trusting and would make a good member of your family.
They get along with children and have the instinct to be alert and protect the family from dangers of all kinds.
They may act out if they’re not exercised properly, or you are gone for extended periods.
As long as they’re trained properly, they’re a reliable breed.
We recommend agility training and mentally stimulating toys like dog puzzles to keep this breed occupied during downtime.
If you’re skeptical of this dog because of its Pitbull roots, take a look at why Pitbulls are not as scary as you think.
Trainability
This is a breed that’s slightly harder to train.
They need to learn at a young age in order to be properly trained.
You’ll have to be able to show this dog that you’re the alpha and it must follow you.
This is best accomplished through professional dominance training.
It’s recommended that you have owned a dog before this one because of the training and knowledge required.
If you’re interested in adopting this breed as a first-time dog owner, then hiring a trainer or going to training sessions is definitely in your best interest.
4. Border Aussie
When you cross a Border Collie with an Australian Shepherd, you get a Border Aussie. These dogs make great outdoor companions and love to go on adventures.
One of the first things we noticed about this dog was its extremely high energy and willingness to adventure.
These dogs would be great for long-distance hikers or backpackers.
They need constant activity, and nature lovers would do well with this dog.
Border Aussies cost around $400 to $800. Buying one from a breeder can be slightly cheaper than the other Aussie mixes.
These dogs live around 10 to 17 years.
Size & Coat
This mix can range from around 18 to 23 inches tall and weigh 30 to 65 pounds.
Females tend to be smaller than males in this mix.
The length of their fur varies from dog to dog. Even so, their fur is quite thick and should be taken care of properly.
A trip to the groomers every now and again is recommended.
Shedding will be more pronounced twice a year, so we recommend weekly brushing to keep the shed fur from going everywhere.
In-between brushings a grooming mitt helps to gather up loose hair, as well.
Their coats range in all different patterns and can be singular-colored or multicolored.
The most common colors are black and white.
Behavior & Tendencies
Border Aussies are playful and light-hearted.
They love to be active and make great companions to take out into nature.
If you’re unable to exercise them enough, they’ll lash out with destructive boredom behavior.
They need to stay active, so make sure you have a large backyard, spend a lot of time with the dog, and have mentally-stimulating toys to keep them busy.
Trainability
This breed is easy to train and will respect you so long you respect its need for activity.
These dogs are perfect candidates for working dogs, agility training, and dog competitions.
They’re easier to train than many other breeds and thrive on the challenge.
5. Aussiedor
Image Source: globaldogbreeds
The Aussiedor is a loveable, gentle mix between an Aussie and Labrador.
These dogs usually exemplify their puppy traits all the way into adulthood and are an overly friendly breed.
Since the Aussiedor is an Aussie mixed with a Lab, the mix is playful and energetic but will stay calm when it needs to.
They don’t want to startle anyone or do harm. Their puppy-like attitudes also make them more loveable.
This Aussie mix is slightly cheaper than the others. Ranging anywhere between $100 and $500.
These dogs would be the best ones to choose if you don’t plan on spending hundreds of dollars but want a fantastic family companion.
Size & Coat
These are medium-sized to large-sized dogs that can weigh around 40 to 80 pounds.
They can be anywhere from 18 to 25 inches tall. Females are usually smaller, as well.
Their fur varies from dog to dog but is generally on the shorter side.
A stop at the groomers isn’t that necessary but would be nice to freshen up if the dog has a longer coat.
An Aussiedor’s coat color can range from light brown and gray to white or black.
Their coats consist of more patterns than other Aussie mixes.
Behavior & Tendencies
This breed tends to be gentle, loyal, very playful, and they love attention.
Adopting this dog with young children would be a great fit because they would be able to give it the attention and cuddles it needs to stay happy, calm, and confident.
Being so playful, these dogs take a longer time to mature, staying in a puppy-like state for longer than most breeds.
This may cause issues because of their size, but they’re usually gentle around children and others, so it’s unlikely they will cause any problems.
Trainability
This breed is easy to train and doesn’t want to challenge you.
Being a little more immature, they may forget some of their training.
It’s best to continuously train them until they become fully mature and more laid back.
Even so, the Aussiedor will need training reminders for life and will thrive on the extra attention.
6. Aussiedoodle
A cross between an Aussie and a Poodle, this breed is one that loves everyone including strangers and other dogs.
They can adapt to those around them and are accepting of most creatures, though they have a tendency to chase squirrels.
What we noticed right away about this mix is the curly hair that makes them stand out from the rest.
With the curly hair and Poodle lineage, this mix requires more attention than others to remain calm, well-balanced, and confident.
This particular mix has social adaptability that is not seen in many other breeds, so we love it for social families and friend groups where interaction is frequent and friendly.
The Aussiedoodle is a very expensive breed. These dogs can cost from $1,500 to $4,500.
This is because of their well-behaved, independent Poodle ancestry. They’re considered to be more of a designer dog breed.
They live for around 10 to 13 years.
Size & Coat
The size of this mix varies quite a lot.
They can weigh anywhere from 25 to 70 pounds and range from 15 to 24 inches. They have long legs, which makes them taller.
Their fur requires more maintenance than other mixes since they get the Poodle’s curly hair.
They need to be taken to the groomers more often than most to stay looking dapper.
Their coat color can range from gray to brown.
They usually don’t have extravagant patterns and often have a single-colored coat.
Behavior & Tendencies
The Aussiedoodle is an adaptive dog that loves children, adults, and other dogs.
This mix is generally well-behaved on its own and very loyal to its family. They are fairly energetic and love walks.
You don’t need a huge backyard for one of these dogs because they do not need as much activity as other mixes, but they like to have interesting toys and puzzles around to pass the downtime.
Trainability
This breed is very easy to train and learns quickly.
Poodles are naturally well-behaved and that characteristic shine in the mix.
This is a great breed for agility training and dog sports because of its size, trainability, and social personality.
7. Sheagle
A Sheagle makes a great playmate for young children or for you.
These dogs are a cross between a Beagle and an Aussie. They’re a smart Aussie mix and love mental challenges.
What we liked about the Sheagle right off the bat is that it loves mind games.
This dog is very smart and needs to be mentally challenged often, making it unique from the rest.
Because of their Beagle ancestry, these dogs are not very friendly to others and need to be kept on a leash until they are trained very thoroughly.
The Beagle gene also loves to hunt small animals and rodents and is prone to baying.
The Sheagle is a more expensive dog ranging from around $400 to $1,000.
They can cost more if you adopt from a reputable breeder or less if you adopt from a pound or friend.
They usually live anywhere from 10 to 16 years.
Size & Coat
A Sheagle can range from 13 to 23 inches tall and weigh 20 to 65 pounds.
They can be a bit smaller because of their Beagle ancestry.
Their coat requires a little more care and these dogs are slightly more high maintenance than others, though their fur is short and you can easily wash and groom the fur on your own.
They are often tan-colored with white and possibly black spots. Their coat color is not patterned as much as others.
Behavior & Tendencies
Most of the time Sheagles will be happy, playful dogs, love to play with children, and can even outsmart them.
If they do not get enough playtime they will get frustrated and demonstrate destructive boredom behaviors indoors or out.
Sheagles tend to be more aggressive than other mix breeds.
Since they are smaller they are easier to control, but it would be best to keep them on a leash.
If you have other dogs, acclimating them to your dogs is extremely important.
Trainability
Sheagles are easy to train but would do better if trained by a professional or went to training classes with you so they learn to obey you.
This is a fun breed for playing outdoor games, especially fetch, frisbee, and hide-and-seek because they have a natural hunt-and-chase instinct.
Read More: Why Do Beagles End Up in Shelters? We explore why Beagles are often surrendered and what you can do to help!
8. Auggie
An Auggie is mixed between a Welsh Corgi and an Aussie.
These breeds are often workaholics based on their ancestry.
They’re easily trainable and love to spend time with children.
This mix may get a Corgi body making them compact and cute.
Corgis are naturally hard workers and have high energy.
The Corgi gene in these mixes could cause issues in the future with their joints since their legs are so small.
Stairs are a great thing to have for this mix.
You can help protect their joints and spine by not allowing them to jump to and from furniture like beds and couches, and by lifting them into and out of the car.
There are no cheap options for an Auggie. They range from $600 to $800 or more if you buy from a breeder.
This is because Corgis, themselves, usually cost a pretty penny, and this is an adorable mix.
Auggies live around 12 to 15 years.
Size & Coat
Auggies are one of the smaller mix-breeds out of the bunch.
They range from 10 to 13 inches tall and weigh around 20 to 30 pounds.
Because of their Aussie lineage, they can be slightly bigger.
Their fur is not very long, but their shedding can definitely accumulate.
When the seasons change is when they shed the most.
Brush the coat weekly year-round, and biweekly during shedding season.
A grooming mitt will help gather up loose hair in-between brushing sessions.
An Auggie’s coat color is usually tan with white or even an orange color because of the Corgi lineage.
Their coats are usually not patterned and do not have spots.
Behavior & Tendencies
The Auggie breed consists of dogs that are workaholics.
Both of their ancestors have great work ethics and were used to herd livestock.
So they are always ready for a task.
They love to run around and play. Since they are smaller, you wouldn’t need such a large backyard to accommodate them.
However, they still need a great deal of exercise because of the Aussie energy.
Trainability
These dogs are extremely easy to train.
They are smaller and easier to control, as well. The breed will accept you as the alpha and be a great companion.
Since this is a smaller breed and less intimidating than others, they would also be a great dog to teach children to train or small commands.
9. Dalshep
Dalsheps are a cross between a Dalmatian and an Aussie.
This breed is extremely beautiful but very high maintenance.
They hate to be alone and won’t like it if you leave home without them often.
They’re extremely prone to barking and destructive boredom behaviors.
The Dalshep is a very high-maintenance breed, but they are great dogs for those who live alone or have a little extra time on their hands.
These dogs are also extremely beautiful and always make people turn their heads.
The Dalshep costs around $500 to $1,000 or more.
These dogs are very high maintenance and beautiful so it is likely you may be paying in the $1,000 range for one of these dogs.
Their life span is usually 10 to 12 years.
Size & Coat
The Dalshep can grow up to 20 inches tall, but because of their Dalmatian lineage may be a bit bigger.
They usually weigh around 40 to 65 pounds. Females will be smaller than males.
Their coats vary.
Aussies have medium-length fur while dalmatians have short hair. You can get any range from short to medium.
They require a lot of grooming for their coats.
Their coat colors usually mix together making very majestic looking dogs.
They may be white, gray, tan, brown, black, and more.
Their coats are likely to be patterned and more complex than other dogs.
Behavior & Tendencies
These dogs are intelligent and playful.
Just because they are more high maintenance doesn’t mean they aren’t excited to play and run around.
They will act out if you leave them alone for long periods of time.
If you travel often or go out all day for work, this mix may lash out.
Trainability
Dalsheps require more training than others.
This is because they are high maintenance and a high energy mix. Hiring a professional would be the best option.
How to Choose the Best Aussie Mix for You
Consider Your Lifestyle
Before adopting an Aussie mix, you should consider thinking about your life, such as where you live, if you have a family, if you can devote enough time to them, or if you plan to travel a lot.
You should consider these aspects because deciding on which mix is best for you.
Where Do You Live?
Consider the state, area, or city you live in. Some places allow for more backyard space than others.
You should also consider your living situation, whether it be an apartment, house, in the city, or in the country.
These mixes don’t do well in apartment living but if you exercise them enough some smaller mixes could adapt.
Aussie mixes naturally need space to run around and play because they have the energy to burn.
Some mixes do need more exercise than others but making sure your home is equipped with a bigger backyard to allow them enough space to play is important.
Do You Have Enough Time?
If you have a family, these dogs will be easier to keep exercised, especially if you have young children because they all love to play.
If you live alone, making sure you have enough time to devote to these mixes is extremely important.
They don’t do well when left alone or under-exercised.
Several of these mixes live quite a long time, so the time requirements for training, playing, and exercising them will extend well past a decade.
If you’re planning on traveling often, getting these mixes wouldn’t be a good idea unless you plan to bring them along because they simply don’t like to be left alone.
They thrive on companionship and activity.
A Few Other Australian Shepherd Mix Breeds to Consider
These mix-breeds didn’t quite make our best Australian Shepherd mix-breeds list, but if the first 9 weren’t your cup of tea, consider these:
1. Chow Shepherd
Chow Shepherds are medium-sized dogs mixed between a Chow Chow and Aussie.
They are protective and have great guard dog instincts like the Aussie Pit.
However, these dogs are unpredictable and harder to train.
They can become very aggressive when left alone for too long, so they’re not good for homes where all members are away for the day.
They are also much harder to groom because they have such a dense coat. Regular trips to the groomers are a necessity for this mix.
2. Assiel
Assiels are mixes of an Aussie and a Cocker Spaniel. These dogs love the outdoors and are great for going on hikes much like the Border Aussie.
These are fantastic outdoor companion dogs, hunting dogs, and thrive on agility training and dog sports.
Assiels are beautiful and energetic, require a lot of attention to detail in their training at a young age, and tend to jump up on people.
You must walk this mix on a harness, and we specifically recommend a Martingale loop harness to help train them to behave on a leash.
3. Aussie Akita
An Aussie Akita is a mix between an Akita and an Aussie.
These dogs are extremely loyal and loveable and would be a great addition to a family. They’re spontaneous and can be trained easily.
Aussie Akitas need some time at the groomers because of their long fur, and they shed prolifically during certain seasons.
Weekly brushing helps to keep the fur down as well as a grooming mitt in-between brushing and grooming.
Final Thoughts
Aussie mix dogs are overall fantastic dogs that are eager to please and energetic.
However, they aren’t the type of breed that can be left alone all day while family members are at work and school.
This type of neglect will result in destructive behaviors indoors and out.
These energetic dogs need companionship, exercise, and adventure.
They’re the perfect choice for those who want a loyal companion to accompany them on outdoor adventures, to work around a farm or ranch, or to enjoy dog sports together.
They love to work, train, and play hard — it’s in their genes!
