Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie: Breeds Comparison

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

Let's get busy...

While Australian Shepherd is a member of the Herding Group, Shorkie belongs to the group of Mixed Breed Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie Size Comparison

Australian Shepherds are larger, with a typical height of 18 to 23 inches and weight of 40 to 65 pounds, while the typical height of Shorkie is 6 to 14 inches and they usually weigh 5 to 15 pounds .

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Australian Shepherd, Shorkie, American female, and American male.

Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

The life expectancy of Australian Shepherd and Shorkie is the same. Their usual lifespan is 12 to 15 years

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Australian Shepherd and Shorkie compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name	Australian Shepherd	Shorkie
Traits
Breed Group	Herding Dogs	Mixed Breed Dogs
Height	18 to 23 inches	6 to 14 inches
Weight	40 to 65 pounds	5 to 15 pounds
Life Span	12 to 15 years	11 to 16 years

Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Shorkies have a better reputation as good apartment living dogs than Australian Shepherds.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Australian Shepherds and Shorkies tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Australian Shepherd tolerates hot weather better than Shorkie.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Australian Shepherd tolerates cold weather better than Shorkie.

Shorkies' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Australian Shepherd and Shorkie. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Australian Shepherd simply tends to do better.

Shorkie will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, Australian Shepherd hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Australian Shepherds and Shorkies are naturally suspicious toward strangers, so you can expect they will act protective.

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

Australian Shepherd shed less than Shorkie do, but don't forget - preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Well, we have good news. These breeds have low drooling potential.

Australian Shepherd vs Shorkie trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Novice owners should probably choose Australian Shepherd over Shorkie as they are easier to train and aren't very stubborn. Still, you should be patient, and forget - persistence, and consistency are key in successfully training your dog.

This doesn't mean Shorkies are untrainable, but you might also consider getting professional help.

Do Australian Shepherd and Shorkie need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Australian Shepherds have a high level of exercise needs, while Shorkies require a low intensity of exercise.

Australian Shepherd or Shorkie: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Australian Shepherds and Shorkies.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.