4 Calm Dog Breed Alternatives to Australian Shepherds, According to a Vet
They say that dogs are like their owners, and if you know Australian shepherds, you might guess their owners are as energetic and driven as they are. This medium-sized dog, typically measuring 18 to 23 inches tall, has a big personality, is incredibly intelligent and is a hard worker, which, for the laid-back or busy owner, may become problematic quickly.
“Aussies are not lazy dogs that can lounge around the house all day,” veterinarian Dr. Hilary Humm-Beatty of Embrace Pet Insurance explains. “Without proper training and exercise, they can easily channel their need to be busy into destructive behaviors.” Plus, because of their strong natural instinct to herd (Dr. Humm-Beatty says they were actually bred to work hard all day as a herding dog), this can get misdirected if they aren’t putting that energy into something. In fact, she says that Australian shepherds “will herd anything, including kids, birds and other pets.”
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That said, in the right, active household, they can absolutely be an incredible addition. “Aussies are so intelligent and need an owner committed to training and engaging their active, smart minds. They are not going to settle well as a household companion without a lot of exercise and mental stimulation,” Dr. Humm-Beatty emphasizes. “This requires a special owner devoted to exercise, training, possible sport activities and play.”
For those who don’t have the time or are less active but still love the Aussie spirit, the good news is that there are dog breeds that can bring those qualities to the table who tend to be more mellow.
4 Calm Alternatives to the Australian Shepherd
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If you love the traits of the Aussie but need a lower-energy dog, there are a few breeds to consider, Dr. Humm-Beatty says. Below are the calmer dog breeds similar to Australian shepherds that she recommends.
Related: 6 Dog Breeds Similar to Dobermans, According to Vets
The Standard Poodle
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First up, the standard poodle. Like the Australian shepherd, they’re an extremely intelligent dog breed that tends to be high-energy too. They still need regular exercise and stimulation to be a good companion, but the difference is that they need less extreme exercise compared to the Aussie, Dr. Humm-Beatty says.
The Whippet
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Dr. Humm-Beatty also recommends the whippet as a good alternative to the Australian shepherd. In fact, they’re especially ideal for low-key owners because they usually have a gentle, quiet demeanor and are also obedient.
The Springer Spaniel
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Another intelligent and energetic pup, Dr. Humm-Beatty also suggests the springer spaniel. It’s a medium-sized breed like the Aussie that needs lots of exercise, but it typically has a more collaborative nature in comparison.
Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever
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The final dog breed Dr. Humm-Beatty says has less extreme energy than the Australian shepherd is the Nova Scotia duck tolling retriever, which are also medium-sized. Similarly, they’re a high-energy, smart pup, except instead of an instinct to herd they have an instinct for hunting.
Final Takeaways
When it comes to all of these alternative dog breeds, Dr. Humm-Beatty describes them as “highly intelligent dogs, but tend to have more cooperative temperaments versus the independent, high-drive temperament of the herding breeds like the Aussie.” She also says they’re usually active and driven “but generally at the cue of their human companion” and that they have an “off switch,” unlike Aussies who are bred to react with a “go” instinct.
However, even though they’re calmer, she still says they need routine training and mental stimulation to make sure they behave. “These breeds all need regular exercise several times a day,” she says. They still have less extreme energy than the Aussie, though, and their qualities can ultimately make any of these breeds “good for families or individuals who prefer a calmer lifestyle than the Australian Shepherd requires,” she says.
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Dr. Hilary Humm-Beatty is a small-animal veterinarian at Embrace Pet Insurance.
Related: 6 Dog Breeds Similar to Chihuahuas, According to a Vet
This story was originally published by PetHelpful on Oct 22, 2026, where it first appeared in the Dogs section. Add PetHelpful as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Source: Nature