Lucky is the person to have an Australian Shepherd grace their life. These dogs are known for their intelligence, independence, loyalty, fearlessness with stock and strong work ethic. Beloved for their beautiful heads and charming expressions, Aussies also offer one of the widest variety of coat colors of all the breeds with black and red tricolors, blue, slate and red merles, merle tricolors as well as solid black and white and brown/red and white coats. As a western breed, we have many fun naming ideas to choose from, from monikers way out West to call names from all the way down under in the Outback. Here we offer over 200 ideas for meaningful Australian Shepherd Dog names, as well as a little history of this popular breed.
How the Australian Shepherd Dog Got its Name
It may surprise you to learn that the Australian Shepherd is actually an American dog breed developed in California, Colorado, Wyoming, and Idaho during the late 1800s. The breed originates from a mix of “English” herding dogs from the East coast, subsequently mixed with herding dogs, incidentally imported from Australia. Both sets of herding dogs originally descend from the English collie dogs, specifically the Collie, the Shetland Sheep Dog, and the Border Collie. Accordingly, the 2017 Cell Study of the canine genome puts the Australian Shepherd in the same clade (related group of dog breeds), the UK Rural Clade, as the Border Collie, Sheltie, and Collies.
The 1849 Gold Rush Spawns a New Dog Breed
The California gold rush sent millions of prospectors out West to seek their fortunes. With them came a need for fresh meat. Sheep, who tolerate dry surroundings better than cattle, fit the bill nicely. Sheep were sent over from the Midwest, and were also imported from Australia. With the sheep, came the dogs used to manage the herds.
Australian Shepherd Dog Temperament
Starting in California, “Australian sheep dog” became a catch-all phrase used for any of the herding dogs working sheep in the West. In time, ranchers began breeding these dogs to establish certain desirable characteristics of the breed. These include a powerful work ethic, loyalty, and intelligence, with a certain amount of independent thinking. As an unexpected by-product, these dogs are frequently born with half tails or no tails at all.
Today, the Aussie is a popular pet in the United States, as well as a popular show dog. Aussies frequently command attention in the Herding Group routinely winning the Herding Group as well as Best in Shows. These flashy dogs, with their snappy movement, along with the noble German Shepherd Dog, regularly dominate the Herding Group in show rings across America.
Female Dog Names for Australian Shepherds From Down Under
Adelaide: Wine region of Australia.
Canberra: Capital of Australia, a great name for a canny sheep dog.
Coolie: German for collie.
Dardy: Cool!
Derpy: Crazy or foolish.
Dinkum: Thoroughly good or excellent.
Elle: Aussie model Elle Macpherson.
Kanga: Short for Kangaroo.
Kidman: Nicole Kidman, Aussie actor.
Larrikin: Prankster and jokester.
Lollies: Sweets.
Olivia: Olivia Newton John, Aussie songstress and actress.
Pash: Passionate kiss.
Rapt: Very happy.
Roo: Kangaroo.
Sheila: Female.
Yakka: Hard work.
Aussie Slang Dog Names for Australian Shepherds Male
Bikkie: Biscuit.
Bloke: Dude.
Bludger: A lazy guy.
Bogan: Redneck.
Bonzer: Great or first-rate.
Brisbane: Capital of Queensland, on the Gold Coast.
Cobber: Friend or buddy.
Dag: Funny and fun-loving person, well-liked.
Darwin: Northern-most capital city, also known as the “Top End.”
Devo: Deviant.
Dingo: Wild dog.
Dinkum: Thoroughly good or excellent.
Dundee: Crocodile Dundee.
Gibson: Mel Gibson, Aussie director and actor.
Goon: Cheap boxed wine.
Grog: Alcohol.
Hobart: Capital of Tasmania and famous yacht racing destination.
Irwin: Steve Irwin, crocodile hunter.
Jackman: Wolverine and Aussie actor, Hugh Jackman.
Joey: Baby kangaroo.
Ledger: Heath Ledger, Aussie actor gone too soon.
Mate: Buddy.
Melbourne: Australia’s second-largest capital city.
Oz: Nickname for Australia, the Land Down Under.
Portia: Portia de Rossi, actress.
Skull: To down a beer.
Smasher: He is smashing.
Straya: Australia.
Stubby: Bottle of beer.
Sydney: The largest city in Australia.
Tasmania: Australian state and island; home of the Tasmanian devil.
Tucker: Food.
Urban: Keith Urban Aussie singer.
Woop Woop: The middle of nowhere.
Popular Herding Dog Names for Aussies
These call names are among the most popular for working Australian Shepherd Dogs. Consider choosing one of these names, if you are seeking a dog with a strong work ethic and a the most loyal temperament.
Abbie
Ace
Amos
Astra
Bart
Ben
Blue
Blueberry
Bob
Brave
Bud
Butch
Buzz
Cap
Dare
Dash
Dude
Finn
Floss
Flye
Frack
Jack
Kira
Luna
Meg
Moon
Moss
Myst
Nell
Peg
Poco
Rooster
Sawyer
Spin
Spot
Skye
Stryker
Sweep
Turbo
Tweed
Whiskey
Wink
Wow
Cowboy Australian Shepherd Dog Names Female
Give a nod to your dog’s origins by giving him a Western-themed name. These call names from way out west invoke images of cowboys and their faithful cow dog companions.
Abilene
Agave
Ariat
Arrow
Bandera
Belle
Carson (Kit and City)
Cassidy
Cheyenne
Cisco
Coors
Dakota
Dallas
Denver
Derro
Dice
Hilason
Jesse
Josey
Kansas
Katy (Texas)
Kit
Lama
Laramie
Laredo
Lark
Lasso
Liberty
Lily (Langtree)
Oakley
Pinkerton
Quinn
Remy
Resistol
Rio
River
Scout
Sheridan
Sly
Spur
Starr
Tequila
Virginia (City)
Willa (Cather)
Willow
Male Western Australian Shepherd Dog Names
Amarillo
Anchor Steam
Bandolero
Banjo
Bat Masterson
Billy (the Kid)
Bodie
Boon
Bowie
Brooks
Bronco
Bronson
Buck
Buckaroo
Bullet
Cactus
Casper
Clint
Cody
Colt
Cooper
Cowboy
Crockett
Destry
Deuce
Dickins
Dillon (Gunsmoke Sheriff)
Doc
Dodge
Drifter
Durango
Frisco
Gaucho
Gleeson
Greely
Gringo
Grit
Hawkeye
Hickock
Houston
Justin
Kit (Carson)
Lama (Tony)
Lancer
Laramie
Laredo
Longmire
Lucchese
Marshall
Maverick
Miles (City)
Montana (call him Monty)
Nevada
Outlaw
Paco
Patron
Pilgrim
Plano
Prescot
Queue
Raider
Rascal
Remington
River
Rooster (Cogburn)
Rowdy
Rustler
Seven (The Magnificent Seven)
Shane
Smith
Stetson
Sterling
Strut
Teccovas
Trekker
Trooper
Wayne
Wesley
Wesson
Willa
Wyatt
Zane
Australian Shepherd Dog Names for Red Merles
These names for red merles come from the full range of shades of red and the glow their fiery coats often produce. From western locales, known for their red earth, to spicy shades of red, to sunburst patterns, these colorful names will suit your dapple-coated companion perfectly.
If you are lucky enough to have a red merle with one or two blue eyes, consider some of the blue merle names offered below as well.
| Amaretto | Glare | Tawny |
| Amber | Gleam | Titan |
| Arizona | Glimmer | Tucson |
| Bliss | Godiva | Tuscany |
| Blush | Hershey | Vegas |
| Brick | Kahloua | Velvet |
| Bricker | Kindle | Wasp |
| Bubble | Kola | Wells Fargo |
| Butters | Lolly | Woodstock |
| Butterscotch | Mesa | Zaatar |
| Canyon | Nevada | Zebra |
| Cardinal | Penny | Zero |
| Carson | Peppermint | Zest |
| Cayenne | Phoenix | Zinfandel |
| Cherry | Pink | Zinger |
| Chili | Piper | Zoro |
| Cinnamon | Ray | Zuma |
| Clay | Reno | Zuria |
| Coco | Rosie | |
| Coffee | Rouge | |
| Copper | Ruby | |
| Corona | Rusty | |
| Curry | Salsa | |
| Dawn | Sienna | |
| Dazzle | Sierra | |
| Flame | Sedona | |
| Flare | Sorbet | |
| Flash | Splash | |
| Flare | Swirl | |
| Fling | Taffy | |
| Fuchsia | Tang | |
| Ginger | Tangerine | |
| Gingham | Taos |
Names for Blue Merle Australian Shepherds
One of the most popular coat patterns for the Aussie is the blue merle, which often have blue or china colored eyes. Other herding breeds sporting merle coats include the Border Collie, Collie, Shetland Sheep Dog, Beauceron, American Shepherd (previously Miniature Australian Shepherd), Catahoula Leopard Dog, Bergamasco Shepherd, Koolie and the Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
These names are inspired by their coats of flickering and swirling white, blue and black hairs, which are reminiscent of mists in hollows, as well as the galaxies of the cosmos.
| Ansel | Cosmos | Hue |
| Aura | Dash | Juniper |
| Aurora | Deacon Blues | Jupiter |
| Beluga | Dotty | Mirage |
| Blu | Dusty | Misty |
| Blue Angel | Echo | Oreo |
| Blue Bonnet | Flash | Paisley |
| Blue Chip | Flicker | Parti |
| Blueberry | Freckles | Pepper |
| Bluegrass | Frenzy | Phantom |
| Chaos | Galaxy | Polka |
| Cloudy | Glamour | Ripple |
| Coal | Glimmer | Shade |
| Cokie | Glitz | Smokin Joe |
| Comet | Gloss | Smudge |
| Cosmo | Hailey | Splash |
Famous Aussie Call Names From Top Show Dogs
Looking for a fancy name for your new Aussie? These dog call names come to us from some of the top Australian Shepherd show dogs and Grand Champions. Renowned in Dog Fancy for their lovely heads, size, coat, and substance, they are revered most fervently for their effervescent temperaments and effortless movement.
Name your dog after one of these best-in-show greats, and you are sure to share your life with a dog noble in spirit and blessed with beauty.
Ace
Armani
Bandit
Bang
Banji
Beyoncé
Bliss
Blueberry
Bolero
Bravo
Buster
Cash
Cha Cha
Chubby
Deacon
Delta
Deuce
Duncan
Easy
Ever
Fallon
Flap Jack
Flash
Flutter
Gaga
Gem
Gracie
Jelly
Liam
Logo
Monty
Nugget
Pepper
Player
Poppers
Oreo
Reach
Salsa
Savannah
Seven
Shocka
Sketti
Smolder
Stryker
Swiffer
Tatum
Ten
Topper
Trucker
Truly
Trump
Tucker
Versace
Vivian
Willow
Final Thoughts on Australian Shepherd Names
Aussies are often compared to hairy, four year old kids. They are particularly intelligent, into everything and a little clingy. Raising an Aussie takes patience to mold him or her into the you will ultimately live with for 12-15 years. As a puppy, take time to train him on a daily basis, teach fetch and plan to be active with long walks twice a day. This is a dog who lives to be by your side and will ultimately protect you with his life.
- Naming Tips: When choosing a name for your dog, consider the temperament you hope to see in your adult dog. Aussies can be needy as well as very high drive, so if you are looking for a dog with an off switch consider choosing a calm dog name that tends to be soothing when you call it.
- If you want the full drive dog, go for a short, punchy, energetic dog name; one that gets their drive going!
- If you are still looking for a name, consider a coat based name check out Unique Names for Tricolored, Parti-color and Split-Face Dogs.
- If this is your first dog, here is the secret naming tip of tips, name your dog after your first elementary school crush. You won’t regret it!
