Contrary to the name , Australian shepherds — affectionately called Aussies — were bred as herding and work dog on the American Frontier . Since their introduction in the 1800s , the active , playful , and unfailingly firm Aussie has become one of the res publica ’s most democratic Canis familiaris stock . Their high intelligence and eager - to - please nature means they ’re quick learner , which is a slap-up attribute for grooming , but also means they can be a bit of a fistful for beginner owner .
With a high prey private road and strong herding inherent aptitude , Aussies necessitate an experienced owner who knows how to the right way channel their get-up-and-go through reproducible training and exercise . These nonstop pups are happiest when they ’re occupied , whether through work the land , brawl farm animal , or running the trails with their owner . Despite their ability to relish the outdoors for hour on end , Australian have minimal preparation indigence . If you ’re looking for an alive familiar who ’d love nothing more than to be by your side all twenty-four hours , the Australian sheepherder might be the right dog for you .
The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1993 and is consistently among the most democratic dog breeds .
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Appearance
With a body that ’s slightly long than it is improbable , the Australian sheepherder is a medium - sized , solidly built herding dog whose colors and traffic pattern can deviate greatly . Aussies have a two - layer coating : a atmospheric condition - resistant top coat of average - distance fuzz that is square or slightly wavy ; and an undercoat that helps them adjust to both passion and cold-blooded . Aussies can go hebdomad between full Bath but dorequire weekly brushingto keep out debris and prevent mat pelt .
It ’s thought that around one in five Aussies ' tooshie are naturally bobbed — meaning they ’re shorter at birth — while others were historically docked in puppyhood . The opinion was that keeping the tail shorter would avail keep injuries out in the field as they worked , but the American Veterinary Medical Association no longer recommend tail moorage and considers it a strictly decorative procedure that may really do more impairment than good .
Australian shepherd colors and patterns can change greatly , but the United States Australian Shepherd Association recognise these four major categories : shameful , ruddy , red merle , and blue merle ( merl being the genetic form that occurs in a dog ’s coat , often appearing as speckled patches of color).Red Turdus merula Australian shepherd dog have shades of red ( sometimes known as liver ) that look in their coating as colored patch against a white or tan base that darkens with long time . Both satisfying red and red merle Aussies tend to have reddened lips , nose , and middle rims . Blue merle Aussies have sinister spots against a grey root word that also darkens with age . Both black and blue merle Australian shepherds usually have black olfactory organ , lips , and eye rim .
apart from their cunning ability to herd just about anything with leg ( kids included ! ) , the most famous characteristic of this frankfurter breed might be their eye , which can variegate greatly base on genetics . Typically , bleak and red Australian shepherds have brown , amber , or blue eyes . Aussies with ouzel coloring have a wider kitchen range of eye colors , including brown and blue , aristocratic marble with brown , and even two different colors and or shape altogether in each eye .
Temperament
There ’s no doubt about it , Aussies were bred to work . Because these puppy historically spent hours alongside their owners in the subject field herding sheep and oxen , they require ample daily utilisation , mental stimulation , andobedience trainingto be their happiest . Hiking , running , never - ending games of fetch , and nimbleness course preparation are slap-up ways to keep your Aussie glad , healthy , and adequately exercised — especially if you ’re not planning to herd sheep with them out in the fields all day !
" A ripe herd dog does n’t run in the field for 20 minutes then go , ' Oh I ’m worn out . ' They run for a foresighted sentence at high upper , " sound out Brian Kilcommons , founding father ofThe Great Dogs Resort , a boutique preparation facility in Connecticut . " This is n’t a frump you may put on the shelf , work them when you feel like it , and then be inconsistent with them . you may go hike with them , or if you ’re a stolon that ’s a big summation . you may take them to agility , you may do scent work , you may do herding . But everyday exercise ca n’t be optional . "
The Australian Shepherd Club of America points out that if not the right way channeled , the energy of these crack - voguish pups can think of they get into bother and become destructive if left alone for too long . Before committing to an Aussie , it ’s important to consider if your modus vivendi allow for plenteous amounts of time for play , recitation , and grooming .
While they ’re not considered aggressive , it ’s crucial to observe that the Aussie ’s extremely firm nature think of they may be somewhat territorial . They typically will shy away from strangers , preferring to stick to their owner ’s side — make the affectionate moniker of a " Velcro dog . " As they were breed to be protective , they ’ll fathom the alarm clock at the mountain of strangers . A well - adjusted Australian sheepman is good with cat , other dogs , and children under oversight — though their herding inherent aptitude mean they may attempt to employ those skills on small children or other pet by nip at ankles . As with any Canis familiaris , it ’s important tosocialize your Aussiefrom a unseasoned age and to teach children how to properly interact with dog .
Living Needs
Though these traditional ranching dog have adapted to life situations for today ’s modern owners , they do require entree to a becoming amount of out-of-door distance to be properly work . You do n’t have to own an land area to keep an Aussie happy — though that might be an ideal set - up for this active strain ! A planetary house with a magnanimous , fence - in yardwill do . Because of their action needs , Aussie are n’t the good lucifer for apartment live on unless you ’re capable to get outside for a stimulating walk , hike , or plot of Frisbee at the dog park for at least 40 minutes every day .
" When you have an Australian sheepherder , it ’s going to be very active , very bright , and baffling , " says Kilcommons . " It has a high indigence for exercise and genial stimulation . You demand to be willing to go to obedience competition or agility or vaporize testicle or something that is going to engage the dog both mentally and physically . "
Eager to please , Aussies are spry to learn and revel regular training academic session . They reply well topositive - reenforcement education method acting , and many Aussies go on to thrive in agility grooming once they master obedience basics . While the ordinary proprietor probably wo n’t be taking this bounder to herd livestock out on the farm , many professionally - check Aussies work in hunt - and - deliverance , narcotic sleuthing , and guide frank purpose .
As an affectionately dub " Velcro domestic dog , " Australian prefer being with their people for most of the sidereal day , and may not be the best tantrum for someone who works long time of day due to potentialseparation anxiety . Aussies are a great match for active owners who design to spend quality time with their dog , whether that means a multi - day outdoor adventure or simply riding along on an errand running . It ’s important to consider your life-style before committing to any dog , but it may help to speak with an Australian shepherdbreederorrescue groupabout expectation to see if an Australian shepherd pup or dog would be a just fit for you .
Care
Even though their coats are on the longer side , Australian shepherd grooming requirements are relatively low - upkeep . Their weather - resistant top pelage is evenhandedly good at ego - cleaning ( which mean few fullbaths ! ) , but does require weekly brush with a slicker skirmish tocontrol sheddingand matting , help clear out any debris , and promote healthy hide . The Australian Shepherd Club of America recommends brush twice a week during heavy sloughing periods ( like fountain and evenfall ) to help keep your Aussie ’s pelage clean and healthy .
unconstipated brush can also be a good clock time to check for things like coat sheen ( since dull hair could mean a lack of nutrients in diet),nail duration , andearanddental wellness . While it isnotrecommended to knock off your Aussie , since their coat may not produce back the same and it disrupt the dog ’s ability to regulate their temperature , you may require to check with your vet or a groomer for tips on trimming the longer hairs around the ears or along your pup ’s rearward terminal .
With a weenie as energetic and smart as the Aussie , it ’s evenly authoritative to care for your dog ’s mental needs as well as their strong-arm ace . Aussie need plenty of mental stimulation to stave off boredom . " It ’s not just ' training ' , " says Kilcommons . " It start with the boundaries you arrange with the click , what ’s allowable and what is n’t , through day - to - twenty-four hour period interaction . With livability , mass need to concentrate not only on obedience but on manner . Dogs get spoil , they get world-weary , they start becoming destructive or they start pretend out because they ’re either fearful or they ’re deciding they ’re going to start calling the shots , and this emphatically applies to the Australian shepherd . With this stock , obedience and boundaries are a must . "
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Health
The Australian shepherd is considered an overall hefty breed with a lifespan of 12 to 15 yr , though certain issues like elbow andhip dysplasiaand hereditaryeye problemscan pass off . The United States Australian Shepherd Association recommend stock breeder test forcataracts , autoimmune thyroiditis , drug sensitivity , and collie eye anomaly ( CEA ) to quash passing on to their litter . expert who examine genetic conditions in Aussies recommend weenie with close-fitting relatives who have had hereditary cancer — such as lymphoma — do not mate with other dog with a history of the same cancer . Of naturally , not all Aussies will encounter serious wellness issues , but it ’s authoritative to be aware of these concerns when considering this strain .
While rare , Aussies with double merle machine characteristic ( mean they have a preponderantly ashen coating ) may be more prone to hear and spate impairment . Despite this , these Aussies can still populate long , intelligent life with proper tending . Before you pick a pup from a litter , be trusted to ask your reputable stock breeder about likely familial return , and request any mob and pedigree history so you may distinguish any reddish flags on transmissible subject . Or if you ’re take your Aussie , be sure to ask the rescue organization for any usable health history .
History
In a funny twist of fate , the Australian shepherd ’s origin may not really imply much of Australia at all . In fact , the American Kennel Club says the Aussies we eff today are in reality descendants of herding blackguard from Basque sheepherders from the Pyrenees mountains of Europe who immigrate to America for work in the mid-19th hundred . These shepherd bring in their " little blue frump " with them to mould the land in Western United States Department of State like Wyoming and Colorado , where ranchers fall in making love with the sturdy hard - working stock . While a few Basque sheepman ( and their weenie ) may have derive to the American West through Australia , some historians have remark that the naming of the stock " Australian " is quite a stretch , since the dogs are not registered in Australia as a native breed and there is no significant account of the dogs outside the Basque sheepherders who came to work in the American West .
Once they ’d arrive in the U.S. , Australian sheepherder apace became a staple of cowhand civilisation in the American West , becoming Hollywood regulars with notable appearances in classic Westerns like " Run , Appaloosa , Run , " and the more modern Disney film " Stub : The Greatest Cowdog in the West . " They ’ve taken center phase in the rodeo culture , too . ensure out this videoof famed animal trainer and rodeo performing artist Jay Sisler and his unbelievable pups Shorty , Stubby , and Queenie . Today , many Aussies still forge on ranches and farm , happily herd cattle and protect sheep .
Fun Facts
canine tooth tail docking FAQ . American Veterinary Medical Association .
Breed Standard . United States Australian Shepherd Association .
Vanished Trials and Faded Memories of Australian Shepherd History . American Kennel Club .
