Auggie
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Find Auggie BreedersGet to Know Auggies
- “Big Dog Brain”: Auggies often display the intelligence and problem-solving skills of an Australian Shepherd, but in a shorter, more compact Corgi-like frame, making them deceptively clever and trainable.
- Excel in Dog Sports: Despite their small size, Auggies are agile, energetic, and fast learners—often performing exceptionally well in agility, obedience, and even disc or rally competitions.
- Natural Herders: With both parent breeds being herding dogs, Auggies may instinctively try to herd other pets, children, or even their owners, making early training important to manage this behavior.
- Many Have Heterochromia or Striking Blue Eyes: Thanks to their Aussie parent, Auggies frequently inherit bright blue or differently colored eyes, giving them a unique, attention-grabbing appearance.
- They’re Often Born with a Natural Bobtail: Like some Australian Shepherds and Corgis, Auggies may be born with short or naturally bobbed tails, though others may have longer tails depending on their lineage.
Breed History
The Auggie is a designer mixed breed dog that combines the traits of the Australian Shepherd and the Pembroke Welsh Corgi. While it doesn’t have a long-established breed history like its parent breeds, the Auggie likely emerged in the early 2000s in North America, part of the growing trend of intentionally crossing purebred dogs to create companion animals with specific temperaments and appearances. The Australian Shepherd contributes intelligence, trainability, and strong herding instincts, while the Corgi brings boldness, charm, and a compact frame. Both parent breeds were originally developed for herding livestock, and their union in the Auggie often results in a dog that is highly active, clever, and loyal, making them especially popular with families and individuals seeking a smaller, energetic companion with a working-dog mindset. Though not recognized as an official breed by major kennel clubs, the Auggie has gained popularity through word of mouth and social media for its playful personality, fox-like appearance, and big-dog attitude in a smaller, more manageable size
Personality and Behaviour
- Playful & Affectionate: They form strong bonds with their families and love being involved in all household activities. Whether it’s snuggling on the couch or tagging along on outdoor adventures, Auggies are happiest when they’re with their people. Their friendly nature also makes them great with children and other pets, especially when socialized early.
- Highly Intelligent & Alert: They have inherited sharp instincts from both the Australian Shepherd and Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They’re quick learners and enjoy mental stimulation, making them excellent candidates for training games, puzzle toys, and canine sports like agility. However, their smarts can also lead to boredom if not kept mentally engaged, which may result in mischievous behavior or excessive barking.
- Strong Herding Drive: This instinct can show up in behaviors like nipping at heels or circling people and animals. While this instinct is usually manageable with proper training, it’s something potential owners should be aware of. With the right balance of structure, exercise, and attention, the Auggie is a well-rounded, loyal, and endlessly entertaining companion.
Care
- Exercise: Auggies have high energy levels and require consistent daily exercise to stay happy and well-behaved. Long walks, playtime in the yard, and mentally stimulating activities like fetch, agility, or herding games help keep them physically and mentally fit. Without enough exercise, Auggies can become restless or develop unwanted behaviors such as barking or chewing. They're ideal companions for active families or individuals who can match their enthusiasm.
- Grooming: Grooming needs for an Auggie are moderate, especially if they inherit the thicker double coat from the Australian Shepherd parent. Weekly brushing helps manage shedding and keeps their coat looking its best, with more frequent brushing during seasonal shedding periods. Regular nail trimming, ear checks, and dental care are also important to keep them healthy and comfortable.
- Training: Auggies are highly trainable thanks to their intelligence and eagerness to please. They respond well to positive reinforcement techniques and enjoy learning new commands and tricks. Early socialization and obedience training are important to manage their herding instincts and ensure polite behavior around strangers and other animals. Their love of learning makes them excellent candidates for dog sports and ongoing training throughout their lives.
Auggie Summary
Weight
Lifespan
Exercise
Trainability
Temperament
GroomingWhat to ask your breeder?
Here's a short summary of what you should be asking your breeder:
Australian Shepherd Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation |
| Elbow Dysplasia | OFA Radiographic Elbow Evaluation |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
| Autoimmune thyroiditis | (Optional but recommended) Autoimmune Thyroditis Evaluation from an approved Lab. Results registered with OFA. |
| Collie Eye Anomaly | (Optional but recommended) DNA based CEA test from an approved lab |
| Multiple Drug Sensitivity | (Optional but recommended) DNA based MDR1 test from an approved lab; Results registerd with OFA. First Generation Offspring of tested dogs eligible for Clear By Parentage |
Pembroke Welsh Corgi Health Testing
| Screening | Considerations |
|---|---|
| Hip Dysplasia | One of the following: OFA Radiographic Hip Evaluation PennHIP Evaluation. Results registered with OFA. |
| ACVO Eye Exam | ACVO Eye Examination. Results registered with OFA. |
How Much Does It Cost to Own an Auggie Per Year?
Determining the cost of owning an Auggie is essential for responsible dog ownership. Use our calculator to estimate expenses, including food, grooming, veterinary care, and more.
The Ultimate Dog Cost Calculator
Calculate NowFrequently Asked Questions About Auggie
When you talk to a breeder, you're not just asking “do you have available Auggie puppies?” You're looking for a match in the process of rehoming a dog. As a prospective dog owner, you are assessing how predictable the dog's health, temperament, and long-term welfare will be and whether the breeder's practices reduce avoidable risk.
You should engage in a conversation about the following topics:
- Which health tests and genetic screening do you do specifically for Auggie, and can I see the results?
- What do you do if a puppy develops a serious genetic condition? What contract, policies and support do you offer as a breeder?
- How are puppies raised from birth to 8+ weeks? Ask about socialization, philosophies on early neurological development, handling, and exposure.
The real cost of a dog isn't just the puppy price. After year one, the cost of a dog includes the predictable annual costs + the unpredictable “risk costs.” Your goal is to make the cost legible before you commit, as one of the top causes of surrendering a dog is not being able to afford the dog in later years.
To help you assess these costs, Paction has created the Ultimate Cost Calculator. You can also read an article written by a Paction breeder on why a prospective dog owner should focus on the ongoing costs of dog ownership and not “how much” the puppy costs.
Every dog breed has certain health issues that tend to occur more often, but what matters most is how predictable and preventable those risks are. For many breeds, common concerns include inherited conditions (such as orthopedic, eye, or cardiac issues) as well as lifestyle-related challenges like weight management, dental health, skin or ear problems, and anxiety.
Responsible breeders help reduce inherited risk through appropriate health testing, careful selection of breeding pairs, and transparency about family history. To understand more about responsible breeding programs that prioritize health and genetic screening of breeding pairs, check out Making Science Simple: Canine Genetics for Puppy Shoppers.
As an owner, you play an equally important role. Consistent preventive veterinary care, proper exercise and enrichment, healthy nutrition, and early screening can significantly improve long-term health outcomes.
Whether an Auggie is right for you depends less on the breed itself and more on how well its typical energy level, temperament, and care needs align with your daily life. Important factors include your schedule and activity level, living environment, household dynamics (such as children, other pets, or allergies), and tolerance for noise or independence. Long-term fit also comes down to maintenance like grooming, training needs, and how often you travel or rely on outside dog care.
Use Paction's Dog Breed Matchmaker and Pup Time Estimator to find out more about what dog is right for you.
