Your guide to finding and caring for an Australian Shepherd in Boise
Australian Shepherds suit Boise best when the Foothills are part of the daily routine. From Collister, Polecat Gulch Reserve is minutes away, and most Foothills trails allow dogs off leash under voice control, which is exactly what a dog bred to run and think wants. An Aussie stuck in a Downtown apartment with one short evening loop will invent its own jobs, like herding roommates. Plan on a real outing every day, plus a seed check after each hike.
Bring home an Australian Shepherd
While we don't have enough dogs near Boise, keep in mind that many rescues may offer transport.
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1257 miles
Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd
F, 6 mo.-2 y., 1257 miles
Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1257 miles
Australian Cattle Dog / Blue Heeler, Australian Shepherd
F, 3 mo., 1257 miles
Australian Shepherd, Akita
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1257 miles
Australian Shepherd
M, 3 y., 1258 miles
Australian Shepherd, Mixed Breed
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1258 miles
Australian Shepherd
M, 6 mo.-2 y., 1258 miles
Australian Shepherd
F, 3 y., 1259 miles
Catahoula Leopard Dog, Australian Shepherd
F, 3-7 y., 1259 miles
Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd was shaped on Western American ranches, where stockmen needed a tireless, quick-thinking dog for sheep and cattle. Aussies are medium-sized, with a weather-resistant double coat in merle, black or red, and eyes that can be brown, blue or a mix. In Boise, that sturdy coat copes with cold snaps and dry summer heat, but it sheds heavily.
Personality varies from dog to dog, though many Aussies are devoted, sensitive and eager to work. They often stay reserved with strangers and may nip at heels or circle children and other pets. Without daily exercise and training, that drive can turn into barking or chewing. They tend to do best with active adopters who enjoy teaching new tricks.
Having an Australian Shepherd in Boise
Aussies pair an athletic body with a mind that's always working, so the right match is usually someone who wants a hiking and training partner. In Boise, trail access makes that easy, while heat and trail hazards call for a little planning.
Many Aussies are loyal, affectionate with family and cautious around strangers. They read their owner's moods well and learn fast, which makes training rewarding. Herding habits like heel-nipping or chasing bikes can appear, and Boise's nuisance rules cover dogs that chase bikes or pedestrians, so early socialization and steady guidance matter.
Most Aussies need an hour or more of vigorous activity a day, plus mental work like training games, puzzle toys or agility. Boise's Foothills trails, Dog Island's pond and the fenced parks give plenty of outlets. A stroll around the block won't cover it, and bored Aussies often turn to barking or chewing.
Aussies can carry eye conditions such as cataracts and collie eye anomaly, epilepsy, hip dysplasia and the MDR1 gene variant that makes some drugs unsafe. A vet can run an MDR1 test, and the result should be shared with every clinic. In Boise, check ears and toes for cheatgrass seeds after summer trail days.
An Aussie can manage in Boise's apartments and Downtown condos only if daily exercise is reliable, since barking at hallway noise is common. Many do better in the single-family neighborhoods of Southwest Boise or the Barber Valley, where a securely fenced yard adds room to burn energy. Yards need solid fencing.
| Expense | Typical cost | Per year |
|---|---|---|
| Adoption fee | $200, one time | $200 in year one |
| 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* | $540 to $1,390 per year | $540 to $1,390 |
| Estimated yearly total (after year one) | $1,845 to $3,880 | |
| First-year total (with adoption fee) | $2,045 to $4,080 | |
Adoption fee is the fee on Australian Shepherd listings in Boise on GetBuddy today. Other costs are estimates and vary with size, age and health.
* The Boise dog license, flea, tick and heartworm prevention, a dental cleaning allowance, toys and bedding, and brushing supplies or grooming for a heavy seasonal shed.
Now that you know more, let’s find you a new best friend. These rescues and shelters below currently have Australian Shepherds available.
Idaho Humane Society handles Boise's animal care and adoptions, and its dogs go home spayed or neutered, vaccinated and microchipped. Here are the rescues & shelters in the Boise area where you can find Australian Shepherds and other dogs available for adoption.
Only small ones, which rules out most Aussies. Boise's ValleyRide buses require pets to ride in a carrier or kennel that fits on your lap or under the seat, and a 40 to 65 pound Australian Shepherd won't fit. Service animals are exempt. There's no rail or subway, so plan on driving to trails.
Yes, with schedule changes. Boise has about 55 days a year at 90°F or above, mostly in July and August, but nights cool to around 62°F. Exercise before 10 a.m. or in the evening, carry water, avoid hot pavement, and skip hard runs on smoky days. Never leave a dog in a parked car.
Start with Dog Island at Ann Morrison Park, which has 5.4 fenced acres and a pond for swimming. Military Reserve Dog Park opens onto Foothills trails, and most Ridge to Rivers trails allow controlled off-leash dogs within 30 feet. Carry a leash, and check ears and toes for seeds afterward.
Yes. Boise has no breed-specific rules, and its dangerous-dog rules are based on behavior. You'll need a city license for dogs over 16 weeks, a rabies vaccination by 4 months, and a leash in public outside posted off-leash areas. Up to four dogs fit in a household without a kennel license.
It's possible if you can deliver serious daily exercise and training. Many Boise renters live Downtown or on the Central Bench, where noise and size limits vary by building. Aussies often bark at hallway sounds, and Boise counts 30 minutes of steady barking as a nuisance, so confirm the lease and your schedule first.
For active people, often yes. Foothills trails, fenced dog parks and dry weather keep an Aussie busy most of the year. The fit is weaker if you're away long hours or can't exercise a dog in summer heat. Each dog's energy and temperament differ, so spend time with a dog before deciding.
Sometimes, but only outdoors at places that allow it. Dogs generally aren't allowed inside dining rooms, and patio policies vary by restaurant, so don't count on patio seating. Many Boise outings are easier on trails and at dog parks, where an Aussie can burn energy and you avoid leaving it waiting in a hot car.
Plan on brushing a couple of times a week, and daily during the spring and fall shedding seasons. Don't shave the double coat, which helps insulate against both heat and cold. After Foothills hikes, check ears, toes and coat for cheatgrass seeds. Grooming supplies or occasional professional help fall within the yearly other costs shown above.
We have 1 rescue with Australian Shepherds available: Freedom Bound Hounds. 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 Boise.
Plan on roughly $1,850 to $3,900 a year for an Australian Shepherd in Boise. That covers food at $35 to $70 a month, insurance at $55 to $100 a month, routine vet care at $225 to $450 a year, and $540 to $1,390 a year in other costs.
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