The Aussiedor, an Australian Shepherd Lab Mix That Needs a Job

Australian Shepherds don’t come from Australia, and they don’t really do “off duty”. Labs do. Put them together and you usually get a smart, people-focused dog with a lot more drive than a typical family Lab. An Australian Shepherd Lab mix, or Aussiedor, is a clever and very energetic dog that’s happiest with a job and an active family.

I think it’s one of the most capable Lab mixes out there. It’s also one of the easiest to under-exercise, and a bored Aussiedor is a creative one. Here’s what living with one looks like.

Aussiedor quick facts

Most Aussiedors weigh about 40 to 70 lbs and stand roughly 20 to 24 inches tall. According to the AKC, male Australian Shepherds stand 20 to 23 inches and weigh 50 to 65 lbs, while male Labs stand 22.5 to 24.5 inches and weigh 65 to 80 lbs.

Here’s the short version:

These are estimates. A mix can take after either parent, and Aussiedors vary a lot in size, coat and drive.

Where the parent breeds come from

The Australian Shepherd

Despite the name, the Aussie was developed in the American West. The usual story is that Basque shepherds arrived in the US by way of Australia in the 1800s with their herding dogs, and ranchers called the dogs “Australian” after the sheep they came with. The breed was refined on Western ranches and rodeo circuits in the 1900s.

Aussies were bred to work livestock all day, thinking on their feet and responding to a handler’s signals. They’re intelligent, intense, loyal to their people and sometimes reserved with strangers.

The Labrador Retriever

Labs were bred to retrieve for fishermen and hunters, first in Newfoundland and later in England. They’re friendly, food-motivated and famously easy to train.

Put a herding dog and a retriever together and you get a dog that loves working with you. The Lab side usually softens the Aussie’s intensity, but it rarely slows the engine down.

Size and appearance

Aussiedors are usually athletic and well-proportioned, often a little lighter and longer-coated than a Lab. The coat is the feature that varies most.

These are the traits I’d expect to see:

• Coat colors: almost anything
• Coat length: medium and soft, often with feathering on the legs and tail
• Eyes: brown, amber, blue, or one of each
• Ears: soft drop ears or the Aussie’s folded “rose” ears
• Tail: full length, though a few puppies inherit the Aussie’s natural bobtail

Merle is the look many people want, and it’s also the one that needs care. I’ll come back to that in the health section, because two merle parents should never be bred together.

Temperament and personality

Most Aussiedors are loyal, smart, playful and very attached to their family. The Aussie brings focus, alertness and a herding instinct. The Lab brings friendliness and a softer, more forgiving nature.

Here’s how the parents compare:

The last row decides daily life. An Aussiedor with enough physical and mental work is a calm, attentive companion. One without it may pace, bark, chew or start “herding” the family.

Herding habits

Many Aussiedors try to herd, especially with running kids, bikes and other pets. That can look like circling, staring, nudging or nipping at heels. It isn’t aggression. It’s an instinct that needs a better outlet.

Here’s how I’d handle it:

• Redirect to a toy the moment herding starts
• Teach a solid “leave it” and a recall
• Give the dog structured outlets like fetch, flirt pole games or herding balls
• Ask kids to stop and stand still rather than run when the dog gets excited

Treibball, herding balls and herding lessons are a great outlet if your dog shows strong instincts. They channel the urge into something you control.

With children and other pets

Aussiedors are usually wonderful with kids they grow up with, and they’re often gentle and patient. I’d supervise young children closely because of the heel nipping and sheer energy. Most get along with other dogs, and many live happily with cats they’re raised with, though some will try to herd the cat.

Exercise needs

Plan on 1.5 to 2 hours of activity every day, with a good chunk of it involving your dog’s brain. A walk around the block won’t touch the sides.

Here’s what I’d rotate through the week:

• Long walks and hikes
• Fetch and frisbee, which many Aussiedors excel at
• Agility, rally, flyball or herding classes
• Swimming, especially for Lab-leaning dogs
• Puzzle feeders, scent games and short training sessions

Dog sports are where this mix shines. Both parent breeds are standouts in agility and obedience, and a weekly class gives you structure and gives the dog a reason to think.

Go easy on puppies, though. I’d avoid long runs, repetitive jumping and hard frisbee catches until growth plates close, usually around 12 to 18 months. Free play on grass is fine.

A bored Aussiedor can do real damage. At 10 months, my Lab Buck chewed through a heavy nylon leash and half a patio chair leg in under 20 minutes alone in the yard. An Aussie cross is often even busier, so I’d never leave a young one unsupervised for long.

What a good day looks like

Here’s roughly how I’d plan a weekday for an adult Aussiedor. First thing, a brisk 45-minute walk or run, ideally somewhere with new smells. Before work, a 10-minute training session practicing tricks or impulse control. At lunchtime, a stuffed puzzle toy or snuffle mat, delivered by a dog walker if nobody’s home. Then an evening session of fetch, frisbee or a class, followed by a long sniffy walk to wind down.

Rest is part of the plan too. Herding breeds can become overstimulated if every hour is busy, so I’d build in quiet time in a crate or on a bed with a long-lasting chew. Many owners are surprised that a calmer adult dog comes from more rest, not just more exercise.

Training an Aussiedor

This is one of the easiest Lab mixes to teach, because both parents are smart and eager to work. The flip side is that Aussiedors learn bad habits just as fast as good ones.

These are the priorities I’d set from day one:

1. Socialize early.
2. Teach a settle on a mat, so the dog learns to switch off indoors.
3. Build a strong recall and “leave it”.
4. Teach loose-leash walking before the dog gets strong.
5. Add a daily “job”, even 10 minutes of tricks or scent work.

Use reward-based training. Aussies are sensitive dogs, and harsh corrections can make them anxious or shut down. In my experience, short, upbeat sessions several times a day beat one long session every time.

Teaching an off switch matters as much as teaching tricks. High-drive dogs can learn to be “on” all the time if every moment is a game. I’d reward calm behavior generously, especially lying quietly on a bed while the family eats or watches TV.

Grooming and shedding

Expect a medium-length double coat that sheds a lot, with heavier shedding in spring and fall. Feathering behind the ears, on the legs and around the tail tangles easily.

With Buck, spring shedding is already an event. A rubber curry brush in the bath and a high-velocity dryer afterward clear about two grocery bags of undercoat in one afternoon. An Aussiedor with a longer coat needs more brushing than that.

Here’s the routine I’d follow:

• Brush two or three times a week with a slicker brush and undercoat rake, working in sections from the neck back so you don’t miss the dense hair on the hindquarters
• Comb behind the ears and through the feathering to stop mats
• Bathe every couple of months, or when needed
• Trim nails every 3 to 4 weeks
• Check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week

Never shave a double-coated Aussiedor. The undercoat insulates against heat and cold, and shaving can damage how it grows back.

Health and lifespan

Most Aussiedors live about 11 to 14 years. Australian Shepherds live 12 to 15 years on average according to the AKC, and Labs about 11 to 13. Mixed breeds aren’t automatically healthier, so it’s worth knowing the risks on both sides.

MDR1 drug sensitivity

This is the health issue I’d ask about first. Many Australian Shepherds carry a mutation in the MDR1 gene that makes them sensitive to certain common medications, including some anti-parasite drugs and sedatives. An Aussie mix can inherit it. A simple DNA test tells you whether your dog carries it, and your vet should know the result before prescribing.

Merle and eyes

Never buy a puppy from two merle parents. “Double merle” puppies have a much higher risk of deafness and eye defects. Aussies are also prone to inherited eye problems, and the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute explains the common ones clearly.

Here’s the health watch list I’d keep:

Hip dysplasia is common in both parents. My guide to Labrador health issues explains the Lab side, including what screening means. I’m not a vet, so I’d go through your dog’s risks and screening with yours.

Feeding an Aussiedor

Feed a complete food for an active, medium-large dog, and measure every meal. Active Aussiedors may need more calories than a couch-bound Lab, but Lab appetites can still cause weight creep.

My guide to the best dog food for Labradors is a good place to start comparing options. You should be able to feel the ribs without pressing hard, even under a fluffy coat. Check with your vet before changing food or adding supplements.

Aussiedor or Borador?

People choosing between herding-breed Lab mixes often compare the Aussiedor with the Borador, a Border Collie and Lab cross. Both are smart, athletic and very trainable, and both need far more exercise than a typical Lab.

The differences are mostly about intensity. Border Collies are often even more focused and sensitive than Aussies, and Boradors can be more prone to fixating on moving things like cars or shadows. Aussiedors tend to be a little more playful and clownish, and their coats are often fluffier. I’d judge the individual dog rather than the breed label, but if you want a slightly more relaxed housemate, an Aussiedor from a calm line is a reasonable pick.

Living with an Aussiedor

A house with a securely fenced yard is the easiest setup, but a yard is never a substitute for walks, training and time together. Aussiedors bond closely with their families and don’t do well with long days alone.

Here’s how I’d decide if it’s the right fit.

A good fit if:

• You hike, run or want to try a dog sport like agility, flyball or herding with a local club
• Training is something you enjoy
• Someone’s home for much of the day
• Brushing a few times a week doesn’t bother you

Skip it if:

• You want a calm dog for short daily walks
• You’re away 9 to 10 hours a day without help
• Running toddlers and a herding dog would stress you out

Give the dog a comfortable place to switch off too. A good, supportive bed in a quiet corner helps an active dog rest properly, and I’ve reviewed the best dog beds for Labradors if you need one.

Finding an Aussiedor

Look at rescues first. Australian Shepherd rescues and Lab rescues both take in Aussiedors, often as young adults whose first owners underestimated their energy. An adult dog lets you see the coat, size and drive before you commit, which takes most of the guesswork out of a mix like this.

If you buy a puppy, these are the questions I’d ask:

• Have both parents had hip, elbow and eye exams, and can I see the actual results rather than a verbal promise?
• Has the Aussie parent been tested for MDR1?
• Is either parent merle? (Walk away if both are.)
• Can I meet the mother?

A good breeder will ask about your lifestyle too, and steer you away if an Aussiedor isn’t a good match. Based on my research, that kind of honesty is one of the best signs of a responsible breeder.

FAQ

My last word on the Aussiedor

This is a dog that wants to work with you. Give it a job, a long walk and a reason to think every day, and you’ll have one of the smartest, most loyal companions a Lab lover could ask for.