• Skip to main content
  • Skip to footer

Tailster Blog

Tailster

  • Dogs
  • Cats
  • Walkers & Sitters
Tailster / Dogs / Breeds / Pastoral / Australian Shepherd / Are Australian Shepherds Smart Dogs?

Are Australian Shepherds Smart Dogs?

There is no doubt that Australian Shepherds are smart dogs. They are often used as working dogs and have been known to herd sheep, cattle, and other animals. But are they the smartest dog breed?

Contents hide
1 Are Australian Shepherds Smart?
1.1 Herding instincts of the Australian Shepherds:
1.2 Australian Shepherds Are Natural Guardians
1.3 Australian Shepherds Are Opinionated
1.4 Australian Shepherds Have An Adaptive Intelligence
2 Are Aussies Easy to Train?
2.1 Conclusion

That is a question that has been debated for many years. In this article, we will explore the intelligence of Australian Shepherds and find out why they are considered to be smart dogs.

Are Australian Shepherds Smart?

Yes, Australian Shepherds are very smart. They are ranked as the 42nd smartest dog breed according to Coren’s Intelligence of Dogs. This is a list that was created by Dr. Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia. He has written several books on canine intelligence and has been studying dogs for over 30 years.

There are so many reasons why Aussies are considered to be smart. Some of which are as follows:

Herding instincts of the Australian Shepherds:

Australian Shepherds were bred to herd sheep. Unlike their name suggest they are not from Australia but were bread in the United States. They are also known as an Aussie and Aussie shepherd.

The herding instincts of these dogs make them naturals when it comes to learning and working. The Australian shepherd’s learnability is aided by his or her high intellect.

See also  Complete Guide to the Colours of Australian Shepherd's Coats

One of the things that make them such good herders is their ability to think independently. They need to be able to make decisions on their own in order to do their job properly.

But there is a downside to their intelligence. Like all smart dogs, they can get bored easily if they are not given enough to do. This can lead to them developing some bad habits like chewing on things they’re not supposed to or becoming barkers.

Australian Shepherds Are Natural Guardians

Another thing that makes Australian shepherds such good dogs is their natural instinct to protect their families. They are very loyal and will do whatever it takes to keep their loved ones safe. This makes them great guard dogs.

Australian Shepherds Are Opinionated

Australian shepherds are also very opinionated. They have a strong sense of what they believe is right and wrong. And they’re not afraid to let you know when they think you’re doing something wrong. If the Australian shepherd does not want to do something, he will let you know in no uncertain terms.

This can be frustrating for owners who are trying to train their dogs. But it also means that Australian shepherds are very independent thinkers. They’re not the kind of dogs that will just blindly follow orders.

You can also see this trait in their herding behavior. Australian shepherds are known for being very headstrong and stubborn when it comes to herding sheep. They’re not the kind of dogs that will just stop and turn around when you tell them to. All of this independence and stubbornness can make Australian shepherds opinionated dogs.

See also  Australian Shepherds and Swimming - A guide

Australian Shepherds Have An Adaptive Intelligence

An Adaptive Intelligence is learning and problem-solving that is based on experience, and Australian shepherds have plenty of experience. They’re the kind of dogs that are always looking for new things to do and new ways to keep themselves entertained.

Australian Shepherds have these qualities in spades. They’re always looking for new challenges and new ways to learn. The best example of adaptive intelligence in dogs can be given as the Australian Shepherd.

Some people misinterpret their intelligence for stubbornness. While it’s true that Australian shepherds can be stubborn, it’s not because they’re not intelligent. In fact, it’s quite the opposite. They’re so intelligent that they often get bored with traditional methods of training.

This is why you’ll often see Australian shepherds engaged in activities like agility or herding. They need a challenge in order to stay interested and engaged.

Are Aussies Easy to Train?

Yes. Like all intelligent dogs, they can be a challenge to train. However, if you’re willing to put in the time and effort, you’ll find that they’re very rewarding dogs to work with.

They respond best to positive reinforcement training methods such as clicker training. Clicker training is a method of operant conditioning that uses a small device (the “clicker”) to mark desired behaviors.

Australian shepherds are also one of the few dog breeds that seem to understand human pointing gestures.

You can teach your Australian Shepherd basic tricks, obedience commands, and even complex agility courses. They excel at dog sports such as flyball, frisbee, and herding.

See also  Why Do They Dock Australian Shepherd's Tails?

Conclusion

We would like to conclude by saying that yes, Australian Shepherds are smart dogs. They are loyal companions and working dogs that are easy to train. If you want a smart dog that can learn complex tricks and behaviors, then the Australian Shepherd is a great breed for you. They can also go along with you on hikes and other outdoor activities, making them the perfect all-around dog.

22nd April 2022

Footer

  • Book a carer
  • Become a carer
  • About
  • Contact

Affiliate Disclosure

We believe in being as transparent as possible when it comes to this site. With this in mind, please be aware that we may receive remuneration for some of the products we review on this site.

Tailster is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com (and other Amazon programs).

We will also list ads from time to time. You should be able to see these as text links or blocks of ads which have a small notation indicating “Ads by Google” or “AdChoices”.

Our mission is to help our visitors, but this is also very clearly a for-profit site and you should realize as much. We include only those products that we believe could benefit you, some of which we may get a commission if you purchase them. However, we also provide links on the site to information resources for which we receive no compensation.

If you have any questions whatsoever, please contact us using the "contact" option on the site menu and we will be happy to answer any questions.

Trademark Dislosure

Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc, or its affiliates.

In addition, any other trademarks and logos we mention on this site are also the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2025 Tailster