| Country of origin: | USA |
| Registries: | ASCA, AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Herder, versatile farm dog, performance sports |
| Size: | 16–32kg (35–70lb), 46–58cm (18–23in) |
| Longevity: | 14 to 16 years |
| Exercise: | Vigorous daily exercise |
| Training: | Easy; hard to keep challenged |
| Grooming: | Easy to moderate |
| Colors: | Red, red merle, blue merle, black, solid or with white |
Despite its name, this popular breed originated in California, and is virtually unknown outside the United States. It was developed in the 19th century by breeders who needed a herding dog that could work in all the varied climates of California, and its ancestry includes collies and sheepdogs from Australia and New Zealand. A good service dog, the breed excels at search and rescue. The Australian Shepherd has gained recent popularity as a companion breed due its affectionate temperament, and adapts very well to family life. Some breeders wish to produce a smaller size, but it is not yet a “designer” dog.
A highly versatile breed, the tough and resourceful Australian Shepherd has branched out from its farming roots into a variety of new roles. Obedient and trainable, and well-adapted to a variety of weather conditions, they make excellent search and rescue dogs, working with a handler to locate missing persons. Search and rescue organizations exist all over the world, often relying on voluntary funding and groups of dedicated individuals, who are involved not only in searches but in training the dogs. Exercises where a dog and handler track down a “missing” person who is hiding develop the dog’s finding capabilities, which will be tested in real emergency situations, and cater to this energetic breed’s demands for constructive activity.
History
The Australian Shepherd, or “Aussie” as it is often referred to, is a rancher’s best friend. They were bred in the United States to assist ranchers with livestock. It is believed they originated in the Pyrenees Mountains region between France and Spain.
These dogs are unique in their aesthetic beauty and made many appearances in horse shows and on movies. Due to these attributes, the popular of the breed skyrocketed after World War II.
In recent times, they’ve taken to the Rocky Mountains for herding work. They are very adaptable dogs so they can actually perform any duty assigned to them. Some other lines of work include guide dogs, drug detectors, and rescue dogs. They were accepted by the AKC in 1991.
Personality
Aussies are very smart and versatile. They do well in nearly any situation and can adapt to their environment easily. They work hard and dedicate themselves to whatever job they’ve been given. They are very obedient which is necessary for guarding and herding. They are also intelligent so it is expected to be outsmarted a few times by these pups.
It is notable how high of an energy level they have. These dogs need a lot of exercise and play to fully reach their potential. Play time is their favorite and sometimes they’ll herd their family. They love kids and form strong bonds with their humans. Although they can be guarded with people they don’t know.
Traits
The traits of an Australian Shepherd are very unique to their breed. This is what makes them very desirable pets. They are medium sized and muscular, with gorgeous distinct fur. Their fur is typically only a combination of four colors.
They can be 30 to 65 lbs heavy and 17 to 26 inches tall. The males are typically bigger than the females. Aussies are a very solidly built breed.
Their coats are of moderate length and can be four different variations. The colors are black, blue or red merle, and red with or without markings. Their faces have distinct markings. It is a disadvantage when there is more white on the face and can be unhealthy for them. It is often wavy or curly and water resistant.
Another very distinctive feature of this breed are their eyes. Although they can be among their most common health problems, their eyes are one of the first noticed traits. They can heterochromatic or even split into two different colors. Their ghostly blue eyes are striking but when they’re not icy blue, they’re a warm amber brown color.
Handling
Aussies are easy to train because of how important it is to them to please their owners. Positive reinforcement with treats and loving praise is always best. They require a lot of attention so this will be beneficial on all aspects.
These high-energy working dogs will need adequate exercise. Just like most breeds, if they get bored, they can and will become destructive. It is vital to stimulate their intelligent minds whenever possible. Teaching them tricks is one way to do that.
Their distinctive fur should be brushed weekly to remove dead hair and avoid dirt build up and mats. Frequent baths can cause skin irritation and dryness so it isn’t recommended. They have a large shedding once winter ends.
Health
Aussies can be prone to a variety of health issues. The most common issues are related to retinal issues. Aside from vision problems, epilepsy and other typical dog problems, like hip dysplasia, can be present.
Without careful breeding, a condition can occur with certain genes that cause deafness or blindness upon birth. This is called double merle. When undesirable results occur, sometimes the breeder may create an all white dog, which is referred to as “lethal white”. This is self-explanatory in regards to what the breeder does. They can either be euthanized or sold, without any mention of risks. Despite these issues, Aussies can live anywhere from 11 to 13 years.
