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Australian Shepherd dog

Australian Shepherd Dogs for Adoption in Modesto, CA

Your guide to finding and caring for an Australian Shepherd in Modesto

Australian Shepherds suit Modesto best when their people can get them moving every day. The paved Dry Creek Trail and the long Tuolumne River Regional Park give an Aussie miles of leashed walking, and the curving streets around La Loma make a good morning loop. These are smart, watchful dogs that want a job, so training games in the backyard count as much as the walk. Summer afternoons get hot here, so save the big outings for dawn.

2943 Australian Shepherds available in Modesto and nationwide

Bring home an Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds Available for Adoption Near Modesto

About the Australian Shepherd breed

Despite the name, the Australian Shepherd developed on American ranches in the 1800s, where it moved sheep and cattle all day. That history explains the stamina and quick mind. Aussies are medium dogs, usually 40 to 65 pounds, with a weather-resistant double coat in blue merle, red merle, black or red, often with white and tan trim and eyes that can be brown, blue or both.

The coat sheds moderately to heavily, so Modesto's dry, dusty summers mean regular brushing to clear loose undercoat and bits of dry grass. Many Aussies are devoted to their families and reserved with strangers, and they do best with adopters who enjoy training. Without enough exercise and mental work, that drive can turn into barking, chewing or herding children, though every dog differs.

Weight
40–65 lbs
Height
18–23 in
Lifespan
12–15 yrs
Temperament
Intelligent, Energetic, Loyal, Protective
Group
Herding
Shedding
Moderate to High

Owning an Australian Shepherd in Modesto

Having an Australian Shepherd in Modesto

Aussies pair a sharp mind with an athletic body, so daily activity and training matter more than yard size. In Modesto, that means planning outings around summer heat and setting up a home where a busy, watchful dog can burn energy and then settle.

Temperament

Aussies tend to be loyal and affectionate with family and cautious with strangers. Many learn quickly and read their person's mood. Herding instinct can show up as circling, heel-nipping or chasing children and other pets. Early socialization and steady training help, and a trainer can suggest ways to channel that drive in a Modesto household.

Exercise Needs

Plan on an hour or more of vigorous activity daily, plus mental work like training, puzzle toys or fetch. In Modesto, the Dry Creek Trail and Tuolumne River Regional Park suit leashed runs and long walks, and the dog park at Elk Park on Morris Avenue offers off-leash play. Outside posted dog parks, use a leash of 8 feet or less.

Health Considerations

Aussies can inherit eye problems like cataracts and collie eye anomaly, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and the MDR1 gene variant, which makes some common drugs dangerous. Dogs with two merle genes can be deaf or blind. A veterinarian can run an MDR1 test, and the result should go on file at every clinic. Year-round parasite prevention and regular checkups round out care.

Living Space

An Aussie can manage an apartment in Modesto if vigorous exercise and training happen every day, but a securely fenced yard helps, especially for early-morning and evening play. Watchful Aussies may bark at hallway and street noise, and loud, persistent barking can draw neighbor complaints, so noise habits matter in shared buildings.

What it costs to own an Australian Shepherd in Modesto

ExpenseTypical costPer year
Food$35 to $70 per month$420 to $840
Pet insurance$55 to $100 per month$660 to $1,200
Routine vet care$225 to $450 per year$225 to $450
Other*$537 to $1,362 per year$537 to $1,362
Estimated yearly total (after year one)$1,842 to $3,852

Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.

* The $12 yearly Modesto dog license for a spayed or neutered dog, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and brushing supplies or occasional grooming for the heavy seasonal shed.

Australian Shepherd dog

Adopt an Australian Shepherd in Modesto.

Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Australian Shepherds available.

Rescues in Modesto with Australian Shepherds Available

Modesto's shelters and rescues care for many active, smart dogs, and the listings below change as new pets arrive. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Modesto area where you can find Australian Shepherds and other dogs available for adoption.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, for active adopters who are home a fair amount. Modesto has trails along Dry Creek and the Tuolumne River, mild winters and cool summer mornings, all of which suit a high-energy herding dog. The trade-offs are hot afternoons and the need for daily training, so an Aussie is a weaker match for people away all day.

Yes, most can with some planning. Modesto averages about 90 days a year at 90°F or higher, and July highs reach 95°F, but summer nights cool to about 60°F. Exercise at dawn or after dark, carry water, test pavement with your hand, and never leave an Aussie in a parked car. Brush the double coat instead of shaving it.

Yes. California law bars breed-specific local rules, and no known Modesto rule targets Australian Shepherds. You'll need a dog license from four months old with proof of rabies vaccination, and zoning generally limits homes to two dogs. Keep the leash at 8 feet or shorter in public, and know that loud, persistent barking can count as a nuisance.

Sometimes. An Aussie can do well in a Modesto apartment if it gets an hour or more of vigorous exercise and training every day, but a bored one may bark or chew. Look for a lease without a weight limit under 65 pounds, and pick a quiet unit with an easy walk to a park or trail.

The paved Dry Creek Trail and Tuolumne River Regional Park are good for leashed runs, and the dog park at 601 Morris Ave. near Elk Park offers off-leash play. Outside posted dog parks, keep the leash 8 feet or shorter. Storms can close creek-side parks, so have a backup route, and keep the Aussie out of the water.

Plan on brushing two or three times a week, and daily during the spring and fall sheds. Modesto's dry, dusty summers mean checking the coat for grass seeds and burrs after walks. Shaving isn't needed. Brushing supplies and occasional grooming fit within the yearly Other budget of $537 to $1,362 shown on this page.

Only to outdoor patios, and only where the restaurant allows dogs. California law doesn't permit pet dogs indoors, though service animals are allowed. Keep the Aussie leashed, off chairs and tables, and under control. Practice settling on a mat first, since watchful Aussies can bark at passersby.

An Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, athletic dog with a moderately long, slightly wavy double coat, feathered legs and a mane around the neck. Colors include blue merle, red merle, black and red, often with white and copper markings. Many have blue, amber or mixed-color eyes, and the tail is naturally bobbed, docked or left long.

We have 1 rescue with Australian Shepherds available: Stanislaus Animal Services Agency. You can see every rescue with Australian Shepherds available in the list above these questions, or scroll to the top to see the Australian Shepherds near Modesto.

Expect roughly $1,840 to $3,850 a year for an Aussie in Modesto, covering food ($35 to $70 a month), pet insurance ($55 to $100 a month), routine vet care ($225 to $450 a year) and other costs ($537 to $1,362 a year). Insurance runs higher because of inherited eye and drug-sensitivity conditions. Emergencies and illness are extra.

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