How Long Do Australian Shepherds Live?

The average lifespan of an Australian Shepherd is typically listed as 12-15 years.

Still, that number is really just an estimate: Experts say we don’t have enough data to accurately determine Australian Shepherds’ life expectancy.

Many factors play a role in lifespan, from diet and body condition to exposure to toxins and stress. To fully understand all the environmental and genetic risk factors associated with longevity, you would need large-scale studies that follow a group of Aussies through their entire lifetimes, but those kinds of studies are hard (and expensive) to do.

“No dog lives long enough,” says Sara Koenig, the breeder behind Nicara Kennel in Mazomanie, WI. But to give your puppy the best chance at a long, healthy life, start by buying from a responsible Australian Shepherd breeder.

How good Australian Shepherd breeders screen for heritable health conditions

Australian Shepherds are prone to inherited health conditions like elbow and hip dysplasia, various eye diseases, and multiple drug sensitivity (MDR1), a genetic mutation that can cause life-threatening reactions to common drugs. Good Aussie breeders take the parent dogs in their program for genetic testing, X-rays, and physical exams to reduce the likelihood that their puppies have problems down the line.

(To see Good Dog’s health testing requirements for Aussies, click here.)

Once the mother has her puppies, the breeder gets them vaccinated and makes sure they’re checked for worms before they go to their forever homes. But while good breeders take health testing seriously and provide great early veterinary care, it’s impossible to guarantee that your Aussie won’t develop any issues later on.

Take cataracts, for example. Even if testing shows that it’s unlikely your pup will get them, it can still happen.

“Just like in people, cataracts can develop as a dog ages for any number of reasons,” says Brittany Greendeer, the breeder behind Riot Australian Shepherds in Plover, WI.

Australian Shepherds and epilepsy

One of the most serious — and least predictable — health issues facing Australian Shepherds is idiopathic (or “primary”) epilepsy. Aussies usually don’t get seizures until they’re a little older, around 2-6 years old, so epilepsy is hard to breed away from — and according to the Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute (ASGHI), there’s no test for it. It’s also very difficult to treat, as the medication can cause significant side effects. And it doesn’t get better with age.

“It’s nothing we can prepare for, and it’s something you can have in your line and not know,” says Sara Koenig of Nicara Kennel. “My oldest girl never had it, but her brother wound up dying in a massive seizure.”

Unfortunately, there is no genetic test for inherited epilepsy right now, nor do researchers know exactly what genes cause it or what contribution each parent dog makes toward the disease. There might even be multiple forms of inherited epilepsy in Aussies, as the ASGHI points out — we just don’t know yet.

Given the impact epilepsy can have on both Australian Shepherd lifespan and quality of life more generally, it’s definitely something you should be aware of if you’re thinking about getting an Aussie. Because for owners, it can be very hard to watch.

Brittany Butters owns two Aussies: Kiba, 7, and Nami, 2. Kiba was recently diagnosed with epilepsy after experiencing two grand mal seizures. 

“It’s heartbreaking to see,” she says. Kiba is now on phenobarbital, an anti-seizure medication, which initially made him “a little different” — tired and less coordinated. Thankfully, Kiba adjusted to the medication after two months and his energy returned.

“He’s back to his normal athletic self,” Butters says. “It’s been his longest break between seizures yet. We know they will most likely happen, but so far he’s doing great.”