Breed profile

Pastor Australiano

An athlete and a worker. Extremely high intelligence (top 10 according to Coren). Characteristic merle coat (blue/red mottling). NOT for the sedentary: it needs 2 h/day of exercise + mental training or it becomes destructive.

Origin: Estados Unidos (a pesar del nombre) Size: Mediano-Grande Lifespan: 12-15 años Energy

Foto: Wikipedia Commons · CC BY-SA

Ideal for

✓Very active families
✓Homes with a garden
✓Dog sports (agility, obedience)

Reconsider if

×Sedentary families
×Flats without daily exercise
×Homes left alone for many hours (it suffers)

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Is the Pastor Australiano a good match for you?

Indicative rating from 1 (low) to 5 (high).

Suitable for flats

Suitable for first-timers

Good with children

With other dogs

With cats

Tolerates being alone

Energy level

Ease of training

Shedding level

Grooming needs

Tendency to bark

Tolerates heat

Tolerates cold

💶 Estimated cost of ownership

60-110 €/month

Feeding: 30-50 € · Preventive vet care: 18-35 € · Grooming and accessories: 10-20 € · Insurance and extras: 5-20 €

History and origin

Despite its name, it was developed in the western United States during the 19th century as a herding dog for ranchers, from dogs that arrived with flocks from Australia and Europe. Very intelligent, energetic and versatile, with the frequent MDR1 mutation.

Temperament and character

Intelligent, hard-working, loyal to its family. It needs mental AND physical stimulation — boredom is the main cause of behavioural problems. Excellent with positive training.

Living together

Children: good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Life stages of the Pastor Australiano

Each stage has its own care priorities. Life expectancy: 12-15 años.

Puppy

0-1 year

MDR1 genetic test before medicating; early ophthalmological examination; socialisation and early mental stimulation.

Young

1-2 years

High demand for physical and mental exercise; hip radiographs; ocular baseline (retinal anomaly/atrophy).

Adult

2-8 years

Caution with MDR1-sensitive drugs; hip monitoring; ocular surveillance and for epileptic seizures.

Senior

8+ years

Review of vision and mobility; joint management; maintaining mental stimulation with adapted exercise.

Care

Exercise: 90-120 min/day divided up. Off-lead time in a safe area is essential.

Brushing: 2-3 times/week; daily during moult.

Feeding: quality food in keeping with its physical work.

Vet: annual check-up + blood work from age 5.

Care in detail

🍽️ Nutrition

Quality food adjusted to its high energy expenditure and actual level of work, in 2 meals. Watch its weight despite its activity.

✂️ Grooming

Brushing 2-3 times a week, daily during moult; a semi-long coat that sheds a fair amount, especially in spring and autumn. Note: merle individuals may be associated with deafness/blindness.

🎓 Training

Top 10 in the world for intelligence: it learns at an astonishing speed and excels in dog sports. It needs mental AND physical stimulation; boredom is its main source of behavioural problems.

🏃 Exercise

90-120 minutes daily across physical exercise and mental work, ideally with off-lead time in a safe area. Not a breed for the sedentary or for a flat without activity.

Breed-specific health

Hip/elbow dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (genetic test recommended). Life expectancy 12-15 years with proper care.

🩺 Health predispositions of this breed

Conditions this breed is more predisposed to. Knowing about them helps with prevention and early detection. A predisposition does not mean the animal will develop them.

☠️Intoxicación / envenenamiento 🌑Atrofia progresiva de retina ⚪Cataratas 🦴Displasia de cadera ⚡Convulsiones y epilepsia

Common diseases in dogs

Learn the symptoms, prevention and when to see the vet. Reviewed indicative information that does not replace a veterinary consultation.

🐾Dermatitis atópica 🍄Tiña (dermatofitosis)🦟Alergia a la picadura de pulga (DAPP)🤢Gastroenteritis ☠️Parvovirosis canina 🆘Torsión gástrica (dilatación-vólvulo)

See all 158 diseases in the health guide

Screening and prevention for the Pastor Australiano

Recommended tests and screenings

✓MDR1 genetic test (drug sensitivity)
✓Genetic test for progressive retinal atrophy and CEA
✓Hip and elbow dysplasia radiograph
✓Ophthalmological examination

Prevention

Inform the vet of the MDR1 status before treatments, daily mental stimulation to prevent destructive behaviour and joint monitoring.

Check-up schedule

Annual check-up with an ophthalmological examination; preventive blood work from age 5.

Warning signs

!Vision problems or stumbling (retina/CEA)
!Lameness or stiffness (dysplasia)
!Repetitive behaviours from boredom
!Abnormal reactions to drugs (MDR1)

Frequently asked questions about the Pastor Australiano

How long does a Pastor Australiano live?

▾

The life expectancy of the Pastor Australiano is 12-15 años. A good diet, adequate exercise, annual veterinary check-ups and preventive care can help reach the upper end of that range.

How much does a Pastor Australiano weigh?

▾

An adult Pastor Australiano weighs between 16-32 kg, depending on its sex, genetics and condition. It is mediano-grande.

Where does the Pastor Australiano breed come from?

▾

The Pastor Australiano originates from Estados Unidos (a pesar del nombre). Despite its name, it was developed in the western United States during the 19th century as a herding dog for ranchers, from dogs that arrived with flocks from Australia and Europe. Very intelligent, energetic and versatile, with the frequent MDR1 mutation.

How much exercise does a Pastor Australiano need?

▾

The Pastor Australiano has muy alta energy. **Exercise:** 90-120 min/day divided up. Off-lead time in a safe area is essential.

Is the Pastor Australiano good with children?

▾

**Children:** good with its own. **Other dogs:** sociable with socialisation. **Other animals:** with early socialisation.

Who is the Pastor Australiano NOT recommended for?

▾

It isn't the right breed for: Sedentary families. Flats without daily exercise. Homes left alone for many hours (it suffers). It's important to choose a breed that's compatible with your lifestyle.

What health problems does the Pastor Australiano have?

▾

Hip/elbow dysplasia. Progressive retinal atrophy (genetic test recommended). Life expectancy 12-15 years with proper care.

Is it suited to living in a flat?

▾

It is not ideal. Its very high energy and need for mental work mean it suffers and becomes destructive in a flat without intense daily exercise.

Is it easy to train?

▾

Very much so: it is among the most intelligent breeds and learns extremely quickly with positive methods. That is why it excels in agility and obedience, but it also needs that mental challenge to stay balanced.

What is the MDR1 gene and why does it matter?

▾

It is a mutation common in shepherd breeds that causes sensitivity to certain drugs (some antiparasitics and anaesthetics). It is worth testing for it and informing the vet before any treatment.