Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Australian shepherd dogs are commonly used to help with herd cattle. While the dog breed includes the name “Australian” in its name, this dog breed actually originated in Europe. From there, the dogs were taken to Australia and then to California! In the US, these dogs became synonymous with cowboys and living on the range.
In this article, we’ll take a look at the Australian shepherd dog breed, review some of their characteristics, and then look at the top shampoos for these dogs!
What are Australian Shepherd Dogs?
These dogs are medium-sized and are famous for their penetrating stare and beautifully colored coats. They have beautiful eyes and coats to match! Aussies (another name for this dog breed) are very happy and love to work. While they are great family companions, they require plenty of exercise to help manage their high intelligence and energy levels. They make wonderful sports dogs.
Australian shepherds are known for also being loyal companions who are devoted to their pet parents and families. They are extremely protective of their homes and family. What’s more, these dogs love kids; however, it’s important to monitor these dogs when they’re with children. Aussies have a tendency to want to “herd” the kids and keep them in order.
Aussies are not good for living in apartments; however, they can do well in an urban environment if they have plenty of exercise. These dogs need about 30 to 60 minutes of exercise every day. So, expect to be out with your Australian shepherd every day, come rain or shine!
When it comes to personality and temperament, Aussies will become dominant in the home. For this reason, they’re not the best dogs for inexperienced pet parents. Aussies need a firm hand and a confident leader who understands what this dog breed needs. Also, for this reason, it’s recommended that Australian shepherds begin socialization at a young age.
Australian Shepherd Dog Health
What about an Aussie’s health? These dogs can suffer from the following health conditions:
- Hip dysplasia
- Elbow dysplasia
- Epilepsy
- Deafness
- Osteochondrosis dissecans (OCD)
- Progressive retinal atrophy
- Cataracts
- Distichiasis
- Collie eye anomaly
- Persistent pupillary membranes
- Hypothyroidism
- Allergies (which include food allergies, contact allergies, and more)
- Drug sensitivities
- Cancer
- Nasal solar dermatitis
For our purposes, keep in mind that Aussies have a tendency to suffer from allergies. This can include sensitivities to food (or intolerances) and other environmental factors. This means the dogs may also experience sensitive skin issues.
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live NowWhat About Australian Shepherd Dog’s Hair?
Australian shepherds have medium hair, which is resistant to water. This type of fur helps protect the dog from rain and snow. What’s more, Aussies also have an undercoat that keeps them warm in colder climates.
Their hair can be straight or wavy, with short, smooth hair on the head and ear, the front of the forelegs, and on the back of their heels. You might even say Aussies have “pantaloons” on the backs of their hind legs! This hair is long and full.
Aussies come in a variety of colors, including red, tri-color (white, black, and tan), black, blue merle, and red merle. These dogs also tend to shed quite a bit all year-round; however, they do shed quite a bit more during spring.
As you can imagine, Australian shepherds do need to be bathed, but only when they’re dirty and smell. These dogs require dog shampoo that doesn’t dry out their skin and coat when it comes to shampoos.
With all of this information, we’re now ready to explore the best dog shampoos for Australian shepherds!
What to Consider in a Shampoo for Australian Shepherds
Remember that Aussies have a double-layered coat (they have a top coat and an undercoat). For this reason, it’s best to look for shampoos that work to release the loose undercoat hair, as well as clean the dog’s skin and fur.
You can look for the following ingredients in dog shampoo for Aussies:
Rosemary oil or extract: not many people realize that rosemary is very good for a dog’s coat and skin. The herb has antifungal and antibacterial properties. This can be great for Aussies if they’re dirty or have small cuts and scratches from running across rough terrain. Rosemary also acts as a natural bug repellent!
Aloe vera: works to soothe a dog’s dry, irritated skin and can also help heal small scratches or cuts. Aloe is also great for keeping a dog’s fur soft and moisturized. Aloe vera can also help to soothe allergic, dry skin.
Alcohol-free shampoo: can be too harsh for an Australian shepherd’s fur and skin. While alcohol is great for easing cleaning infections, they can be too drying and irritating for Aussies.
Coconut oil: can work wonders on an Aussie’s fur and skin. For one thing, coconut oil contains capric and caprylic acid, which have antifungal properties. It can help soothe and heal bumps, bug bites, and small abrasions. It can also help deodorize a smelly dog! Coconut oil also naturally repels ticks and fleas.
Natural ingredients: it’s best to choose dog shampoos that have natural ingredients to wash an Aussie’s fur and skin. These work to clean the skin and coat of dirt while restoring moisture. This means that your hardworking Aussie can be cleaned and comfortable at the same time!
Top Five Dog Shampoos for Australian Shepherds
OK, now we’re ready to review some of the best dog shampoos for Australian shepherd dogs!
1). Skouts Honor Probiotic Pet Shampoo & Conditioner (Fragrance-Free)
Skouts Honor Probiotic Pet Shampoo & Conditioner (Fragrance-free) is a great choice for bathing your Australian shepherd! This shampoo is naturally pH balanced and also includes a conditioner. The shampoo conditioner combination help stop shedding (to a small degree), itching, dryness, hot spots, and odor issues.
This product contains avocado oil and omega-3s that work to condition your fur baby’s fur. You’ll notice a shine and healthy fur when using this doggie shampoo! This shampoo also contains honeysuckle, so your dog will have a wonderful smell after his bath. And you don’t have to worry about harsh chemicals, as this shampoo contains only natural, non-toxic ingredients.
In addition, Skouts dog shampoo does not contain sulfates, parabens, triclosan, petrolatum, coco betaine, diethanolamine (DEA), and it’s not tested on animals. This product is made in the US and comes with a Paw Pledge. The company’s Paw Pledge says, “With every bottle purchased from Skout’s Honor, a rescue animal is provided a full day’s worth of meals.” What’s more, this dog shampoo comes with a 100% satisfaction guarantee. If you’re not completely happy with the product, just return it and receive a full refund!
2). Burt’s Bees Oatmeal Shampoo with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs
Burt’s Bees is for their honey-based, completely natural personal care products. Not many people realize the company also puts out dog shampoo! The one we recommend for Australian shepherds is Burt’s Bees Oatmeal with Colloidal Oat Flour & Honey for Dogs.
Colloidal oat flour works to keep a dog’s skin and coat clean while also soothing any sensitive, irritated areas. In addition, the honey and beeswax ingredients help hydrate the dog’s skin and fur. Because some Aussies develop hot spots, honey and beeswax can work to create a soothing, protective layer to help these areas heal.
This product also includes green tea extract, which is a very strong antioxidant, which can protect the skin from pollutants in the environment. In addition, the flavonoids in the tea can also help to fight allergies and soothe the skin.
Burt’s Bees Oatmeal dog shampoo is made with the highest quality ingredients and is gentle on a dog’s skin and coat. What’s more, the product is safe to use on puppies and dogs of all ages. The shampoo is tearless, too, so a dog’s eyes won’t hurt or become irritated.
3). Buddy Wash Relaxing Green Tea & Bergamot Shampoo & Conditioner
Buddy Wash Relaxing Green Tea & Bergamot Shampoo & Conditioner is another shampoo that we highly recommend for Australian shepherd dogs! What’s so great about this dog shampoo and conditioner combo? Well, for one thing, this shampoo is gentle on a dog’s skin and coat. It works to clean and moisturize, too. What’s more, this is a budget-friendly option that’s easy on the wallet.
This shampoo and conditioner are alcohol-free. The ingredients in the shampoo also include green tea and bergamot, which work to keep the dog calm and soothed physically.
Buddy Wash also contains nettle, sage, chamomile, and tea tree oil, which work to help deodorize your dog. The herbal recipe also contains vitamins E & C, which nourishes the dog’s hair and skin while making them soft.
This dog shampoo is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a cost-effective, deep cleaning product, which also works to soften your Aussies fur and skin!
4). Field Works Moosh Natural Dog Shampoo
Don’t you just love the name of this shampoo? It sounds like something that would make your Aussie’s fur and coat soft and fresh! Moosh Dog Shampoo is a little different than others on the market. That’s because it can also work to make a dog’s coat thicker. What’s more, the cleaning ingredient in this product is bentonite clay. Pet parents have said this makes the shampoo much easier to rinse out of their dog’s coat.
In addition, Moosh contains neem and argan oils, which have antiseptic properties that work to soothe irritated, dry skin. This dog shampoo also contains shea butter, making a dog’s coat shine and feel very silky. You’ll also find the shampoo contains aloe vera, which also helps soothe irritated, dry skin.
This product contains only eco-friendly ingredients, which makes it safe to shampoo your dog at the lake! The shampoo for dogs is made in the US and is only created in small batches to ensure product quality and effectiveness.
Plus, we still love the name of this dog shampoo—Moosh!
5). Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs
Wahl Dry Skin & Itch Relief Pet Shampoo for Dogs is a product that contains oatmeal and other natural ingredients. It’s considered safe and soothing for both dogs and puppies. All of this product’s natural ingredients have been derived from plants, including oatmeal. Oatmeal is well known for soothing itchy, dry skin and for moisturizing skin and fur.
What’s more, this product also helps to minimize shedding (to a certain degree). Aussies do have a reputation for shedding; this is a great shampoo to help with this issue.
This dog shampoo does not contain parabens, alcohol, artificial colors, preservatives, or perfumes. In addition to oatmeal, this shampoo contains a coconut lime verbena scent, which helps to make sure your dog smells heavenly after his bath!
We need to point out that this formulation is made in a concentrated form. This means you don’t have to use a lot of shampoo to get your dog clean. A little goes a long way!
This shampoo is also great for dogs that have allergies and sensitive skin.
Tips for Bathing Your Australian Shepherd Dog
When it comes to bathing, Aussies can become a little rambunctious at bath time! We’ve put together some tips to help you and your dog have a better bathing experience:
Apply the shampoo with your hands: this can help you work the shampoo into your canine companion’s fur and skin much faster. Pouring the shampoo on could make the process longer, which is what you want to avoid!
Block off any escape route: if your Aussie sees an escape route on the way to be bathed, you can count on the fact he will take advantage of it. Remember, these dogs are extremely intelligent. They’re also very fast!
Prepare for drying: before the bath even starts, make sure you have the towels ready. When your dog comes out of the bathtub, he’s going to shake all over the place! However, if you have a towel ready, you can throw it over your fur baby before he starts shaking water off!
Summing It Up
Australian shepherds are wonderful, intelligent, fun dogs! They love their pet parents and families and enjoy having a job to do! However, because they tend to work and play hard, it’s essential to have the right shampoos on hand to keep your dog clean, beautiful, and smelling fresh!
The shampoos in this article are some of the best dog shampoos for Australian shepherd dogs! Using the right shampoo will ensure your dog is always beautifully turned out!
Connect with a verified veterinarian in minutes. Licensed vets are available 24/7 to answer your questions. No need to worry about your furry family member.
Tom
Tom has always loved to write since he was little - he wanted to be either a writer or a veterinary doctor, but he ended up being a professional writer while most of his works are based on animals. He was born in San Francisco but later moved to Texas to continue his job as a writer. He graduated from the University of San Francisco where he studied biotechnology. He is happily married and a soon to be father!
Review symptoms, medications & behavior to keep your pets healthy with a Vet Online in just minutes.
Ask a Vet Live Now
