Unfortunately, the Australian Shepherd is not hypoallergenic, making it not a good choice for a dog lover who suffers from pet allergies.

While no dogs are truly 100% hypoallergenic, Silkchons are about as close as it gets, making them an ideal pet if you are an allergy sufferer.

Active
Friendly
Intelligent
Loving
Affectionate
Good-natured
Protective

Playful
Alert
Sensitive
Intelligent
Friendly
Responsive
Affectionate
Quick
Gentle
Joyful
Inquisitive
Cheerful

Australian Shepherds are moderate shedders, but regular brushing can reduce shedding and maintain coat health.

Silkchons are low shedding dogs, requiring minimal coat care.

Choose an Australian Shepherd if you want a top-notch watchdog. This breed takes guarding seriously, and may not require much training, though obedience or guard dog training can improve their skills.

Avoid Silkchons as watchdogs - they're not effective.

Basque Shepherd

Bichon Frise, Silky Terrier

American Canine Registry
American Kennel Club
America's Pet Registry
Dog Registry of America Inc.
North American Purebred Registry, Inc.
American Canine Association, Inc.
Continental Kennel Club
National Kennel Club
New Zealand Kennel Club
United Kennel Club
Australian Shepherd Club Of America

ACHC = American Canine Hybrid Club
DDKC = Designer Dogs Kennel Club
DRA = Dog Registry of America, Inc.
IDCR = International Designer Canine Registry®

1800s

Unknown

Blue
Brown
Amber

Brown

Black
Brown

Black

Black
Red
Blue

Fawn
White
Silver
Cream

Australian Shepherds have longer coats compared to most dogs.

Silkchons are known for their coat length.

Straight

Wavy

An Australian Shepherd can have a litter of 12-15 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

A Silkchon can have a litter of 3-5 puppies on average. However, it's worth noting that the size of the litters can vary greatly. Factors that can influence litter size include the health of the mother, breeding history, and genetics.

Australian Shepherds are highly adaptable and versatile, making them excellent companions for families and individuals of all lifestyles.

Silkchons are known for their adaptability and can adjust well to different environments and lifestyle changes.

Cataract
Progressive Retinal Atrophy
Hip Dysplasia
CEA
Von Willebrand's Disease

Patellar Luxation
Liver Disease
Hip Dysplasia
Epilepsy
Tracheal Collapse
Diabetes
Cushing's Disease
Hyperadrenocorticism
Legg-Calve Perthes Disease

Distichiasis
Deafness
OCD
Nasal Solar Dermatitis
Patent Ductus Arteriosus

Allergies

Eye
Hip
Blood
Hearing

Chest X-rays
Full Body Physical Examination especially of the joints
Biochemistry Panel Tests
Clinical Exam
Eye and Ear Examination

Australian Shepherds thrive on an active lifestyle due to their high-energy nature.

Silkchons' high energy levels make them unsuitable for a low-key dog, choose accordingly.

Australian Shepherd has above average social needs and thrives with interaction with humans and other dogs.

Silkchon has very high social needs and requires regular mental and physical stimulation, a job or purpose, and companionship.

Australian Shepherds need high physical activity and are ideal for active individuals, but not suitable for sedentary lifestyles or small apartments.

Silkchons need only a small amount of physical activity, ideal for busy or elderly people or those with limited space.

Australian Shepherds are active and require sufficient sleep to stay healthy.

Silkchons are known for their relaxed and calm nature and enjoy long periods of sleep.

Australian Shepherd dogs are generally less vocal than other breeds and only bark when necessary, such as to alert their owner or communicate.

Silkchons bark moderately when necessary and may also bark due to certain triggers like fear, alarm, boredom, greeting, separation anxiety and compulsive barking.

Go to Beach, Walk, Frisbee, Hike, Backpacking, High Five, Speak, Walking, Petting, Sniffing, Tug-of-war, Play, Run, Chase, Jogging, Being chased, Tug of war, Running, Walks, Fetch, Sticks, Toys, Fetching, Napping, Kissing, Jumping, Heel, Squirrel gazing, Stare, Greet humans

Playing, Walking, Go to Park, Walk

Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs. They need mental as well as physical exercise. These dogs require a lot of your involvement and without it they can, and will, become problematic dogs.

Silkchons are low-energy dogs. This breed make a great companion for a relatively inactive person. Silkchon dogs require a few short daily walks, and then they're happy snuggling next to you for the rest of the day.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Australian Shepherd, it's at least 14 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

There's really no limit to how far you walk your dog as long as they're comfortable. For Silkchon, it's at least 4 miles / week. Just remember to build distance and stamina gradually over time.

In general most Australian Shepherds usually need at least 90 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

In general most Silkchons usually need at least 30 minutes of exercise daily. This can be spread across the day and include all sorts of high-energy activities, like walking, running and playing.

The Australian Shepherd requires an average amount of grooming compared to other breeds.

Silkchons have high grooming needs, requiring regular trims and professional grooming assistance to keep their coat healthy.

Australian Shepherd should be brushed at least once a week. Of course you can give them more frequent brushes if you find that they are still shedding a lot

Ideally, Silkchon should be brushed at least 2 or 3 times a week (preferably daily) improve shedding.

Pin Brush
Comb
Nail Clipper

Pin Brush
Comb
Clipper
Nail Clipper

For an average 55-70 pound (25 - 32 kg) Australian Shepherd feed 2.5 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

For an average 9-12 pound (4 - 5 kg) Silkchon feed 1 cups daily. But, keep in mind, the amount you feed is going to be dependent on the quality of the food you are feeding.

The average cost of an Australian Shepherd is somewhere $1.70 - $2.00 per day.

The average cost of a Silkchon is somewhere $1.30 - $1.40 per day.

The average per month expenses of an Australian Shepherd is between $48 - $63. This makes an average of $576 - $756 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

The average per month expenses of a Silkchon is between $35 - $42. This makes an average of $420 - $504 per year. It will be on the higher side when the dog is still small because it will need more frequent visits to the vet, shots.

Australian Shepherd is a very intelligent and trainable breed.

Silkchons are average in obedience intelligence but have a high IQ and may cause trouble if left unsupervised.

This breed is sensitive to its environment and best suited for patient and understanding families with a consistent routine.

This breed is sensitive and requires gentle handling and a calm home environment.

Australian Shepherds are good apartment dogs as long as they get enough exercise and stimulation outside of the apartment.

Silkchons make excellent apartment dogs, being fairly active indoors and not requiring a yard.

Australian Shepherds make excellent family pets for kids due to their gentle, protective nature and calm temperament.

Silkchons are good with kids if socialized and trained from a young age.

Australian Shepherds are average in their friendliness toward cats and tend to do well with them, especially if raised together.

Silkchons are good with cats, but early training is needed to prevent chasing behavior.

Australian Shepherds are average in their friendliness towards other dogs, and socialization can help.

Silkchons are friendly and active companions, and can be good family pets, though their friendliness towards other dogs may vary.

Australian Shepherds are quick to announce strangers and can be standoffish or suspicious.

Silkchons are friendly but may bark at strangers, and training is easy due to their intelligence.

Australian Shepherds are very playful, so adopting an older one might be a better option for a more relaxed experience.

Silkchons are a playful breed that needs daily playtime to be happy.

The Australian Shepherd is highly intelligent and eager to please, making it a great choice for both novice and experienced dog owners due to its easy trainability.

Silkchons are popular for their ease of training and quick learning ability.