Filter Dogs
Showing all 0 dogs
Size
Age
Energy Level
Gender
Gets Along With
Space Needed
Shelter
Showing 0 dogs
No dogs found matching your search.
Gear for your Australian Shepherd
The essentials we'd set up for a new Australian Shepherd, starting with the puzzle feeder & lick mat.
Puzzle Feeder & Lick Mat
Mental work that tires a busy brain.
View on Amazon →
Flirt Pole
Ten minutes drains more energy than a long walk — channels prey drive.
View on Amazon →
Fetch Ball & Launcher
Throws a ball far enough to actually tire out a retrieving dog, hands-free.
View on Amazon →
Long Training Line (15–30 ft)
Recall practice and breathing room before you fully trust each other.
View on Amazon →
Escape-Proof No-Pull Harness
Gentle control on the first walks — built so a spooked dog can't back out of it.
View on Amazon →Amazon affiliate links — we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you, which helps keep LocalPetFinder free and more rescue dogs finding homes. See all our gear picks →
Adopting an Australian Shepherd in Newfoundland and Labrador
The Australian Shepherd is a brilliant, high-energy herding breed, usually 40 to 65 pounds (with popular mini versions smaller), known for its striking coat and even more striking intelligence. Aussies are devoted, trainable, and endlessly willing to work. This page pulls every adoptable Australian Shepherd and Aussie cross from the Newfoundland shelters we cover into one place, refreshed regularly.
Aussies reach rescue when their intensity overwhelms a household that expected a calmer dog. They are one of the smartest, most rewarding breeds for an active owner and a difficult fit for a sedentary one, so read the foster notes on drive carefully.
Drive, training, and honest expectations
An Australian Shepherd needs a job. Plan on one to two hours of daily exercise plus real mental work (training, dog sports, scent games) or their energy turns into barking, herding, and destruction. They bond closely, can be reserved with strangers, and their herding instinct can mean nipping at running children without guidance and socialization. They thrive with an active, committed owner and rural NL space.
Two breed notes to raise with any rescue: some Aussies carry the MDR1 gene mutation (medication sensitivity), so tell your vet the dog is an Aussie; and merle-to-merle breeding can produce deafness or blindness, worth asking about. The weather-resistant double coat handles Newfoundland cold easily but sheds and needs regular brushing. Newfoundland rescues provide a veterinary assessment before adoption.
Looking more broadly? Browse every adoptable dog across the province on Dog Adoption Newfoundland and Labrador.
Australian Shepherd Adoption FAQ — Newfoundland and Labrador
Where can I adopt an Australian Shepherd near me in Newfoundland?
Aussies and their crosses come into Newfoundland rescue through owner surrenders, often when their drive proved too much. St. John's and rural NL rescues see them occasionally. This page aggregates every adoptable one from the Newfoundland shelters we cover; set an alert and read the foster notes on energy.
Are Australian Shepherds good first dogs?
Usually not. Aussies are brilliant but intense working dogs that need far more exercise, training, and stimulation than a typical pet, and their herding instinct needs guidance. They suit an experienced, very active owner who enjoys training. A first-time owner set on the breed should be ready to commit serious daily time, or consider a calmer breed.
How much exercise does an Australian Shepherd need?
One to two hours of genuine activity a day, plus mental work. Walks alone are not enough: they need running, training, and problem-solving to stay balanced. An under-exercised Aussie becomes anxious, barky, and destructive. This is a high-drive breed that rewards an active home and struggles in a low-activity one.
Should I buy or adopt an Australian Shepherd in Newfoundland?
Adopt. Aussies and their crosses appear in rescue, frequently because a home underestimated them, so adopting an adult lets you match the dog's drive to your lifestyle. Adoption fees run roughly $300 to $600 and include spay or neuter, vaccinations, and a microchip. Whatever the source, go in clear about the exercise and training the breed needs.
Need to rehome a Australian Shepherd?
If you can no longer keep your Australian Shepherd, you can list them for free on LocalPetFinder. Your dog stays in your home until you find the right family, you screen who applies, and there is no surrender fee. Not sure yet? Our guide to surrendering a dog in Canada walks through every option first.
List your dog for free →