Australian Shepherds are brilliant, athletic companions who form deep bonds with their humans. So when families fall in love with the breed, it’s common to wonder: “If we plan to have two Aussies eventually, why not adopt littermates and raise them together?”

The idea is sweet — double the joy, double the puppy kisses — but raising littermates, especially in a high-drive working breed, is rarely as simple as it sounds.

The Myth: “They’ll Entertain Each Other”

Many people hope that having two puppies means less work because they have a built-in playmate. While they certainly will enjoy each other’s company, they can also encourage behaviors that make training more difficult.

Puppies do not raise each other — they often reinforce what we don’t want. Without structure, littermates may develop:

• Over-attachment to each other instead of to their family
• Difficulty focusing during training sessions
• Increased anxiety when separated
• An overreliance on each other for social confidence

Australian Shepherds thrive when connected to their people. If the bond between the dogs becomes stronger than the bond with you, progress in training and socialization can slow down significantly.

Understanding Littermate Syndrome

Littermate syndrome isn’t a medical diagnosis but a behavioral challenge seen when two puppies grow up together without enough independence. This can lead to:

• Fearfulness in new environments
• Aggression or tension between siblings as they mature
• Distress when separated — even just across the room
• Slower developmental milestones in training and confidence

Not every pair will struggle, but the risk is high enough that most trainers and behavior specialists recommend staggering puppies instead of raising them side by side. You can read more about this from AKC.

Raising Two Puppies Means Doubling Your Time Commitment

Australian Shepherd puppies need consistent engagement — mentally, physically, and emotionally. When you double that, it looks like:

Two crates.
Two training sessions — every time.
Two separate socialization outings.
Two bedtime routines.
Two momentum-driven herding breeds learning independence separately.

Each puppy should practice being confident and comfortable alone. This means owners often need to divide and conquer daily:

• Individual walks and exercise sessions
• One-on-one attention and bonding
• Short periods in separate spaces within the home
• Training away from their sibling’s distraction

It’s absolutely doable — but only with intentional planning and consistency, and we would only recommend it to a very experienced owner with the proper resources.

When Littermates Can Work Well

Some homes truly are equipped for the challenge. Raising littermates can be successful when families:

• Have multiple committed adults or experienced handlers
• Are actively engaged in dog sports, training, or working activities
• Can provide daily structured independence
• Prioritize the human-dog relationship over the dog-dog bond

In the right home, littermates can thrive — but it requires a level of effort many don’t expect.

A Better Path for Most Families

If your dream is to have two Australian Shepherds, we encourage you to take a phased approach. Raise your first puppy into a confident, well-adjusted young adult — then welcome a second.

When the first dog has a strong foundation, they can help model positive behaviors for the younger pup including:

• Calmness in the home
• Confidence in new environments
• Healthy social skills with other dogs and people

Spacing puppies by 6–18 months allows both to shine as individuals — and still enjoy a lifelong bond as companions.

Our Recommendation at Queen City Farm

Here at Queen City Farm, our top priority is the lifelong success of our puppies and their families. Because of the challenges raised above, we are cautious about placing littermates together and only approve dual placements for highly prepared homes with a detailed plan for independence building.

Every puppy deserves the chance to bond deeply with their family — to become the dog that goes everywhere with you, learns from you, and builds confidence through you.

If you are ready to start this journey with us, submit an application to our waitlist!

‍

Is it okay to get two puppies from the same litter?
It can work in experienced homes, but most families find littermates harder to manage due to increased training and socialization needs.

What is littermate syndrome?
A behavioral issue where puppy siblings become overly dependent on each other, leading to anxiety, poor social skills, and training difficulties.

Will two puppies entertain each other?
They may play together, but they still need individual attention, exercise, and training to grow into confident and well-mannered adults.

Do littermates fight as they grow up?
Sibling rivalry can increase as they mature — proper structure and independence is essential to prevent aggression and resource guarding.

What’s the best age gap if I want two Aussies?
Most trainers recommend waiting 6–18 months between puppies. This gives the first dog time to mature and build a strong foundation before adding another.

Does Queen City Farm allow littermate placements?
We approve them only on a case-by-case basis for highly prepared owners with a clear plan for separate training and bonding.