The Australian Shepherd Guide

A herding dog with stunning coat colors, the Australian Shepherd is a top-notch companion. While it may not be right for everyone this symbol of cowboy culture is a working dog that lives to please.

Quick Stats

Group: Herding

Size: Medium           

Height: 17-23 inches (43-58 cm.)

Weight:  27-45 pounds (12-20 kg.)

Shedding: Moderate                    

Grooming: Easy                 

Lifespan:  14-16 years

Australian Shepherd History

Despite their name, this breed actually is thought to have developed in the American southwest during the mid-1800s. This time period was the gold rush in the southwest and sheep were imported from Australia as a food source for the miners.

It is thought that the locals mistakenly assumed that these dogs came to America from Australia just like the sheep they were being used to herd at the time and the name stuck. They became very popular with ranchers and farmers. This was not only for its ability to herd a range of livestock including cattle but also to guard them against predators and stand up to the extreme weather conditions found in the American west.

Australian Shepherd Characteristics

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog that stands between seventeen and twenty-three inches tall and weighs between twenty-seven and forty-five pounds. It has a large head and triangular folded ears with rounded tips. The eyes are usually blue but can be green, amber, brown, or hazel. Some dogs may have bi-colored eyes where each eye is a different color.

The tail is semi-erect and while naturally long it is usually docked to prevent injury. Alternatively, some dogs are born with a naturally bobbed tail. The Australian Shepherd coat is medium in length and may be straight or wavy. In terms of color, the coat can be red, black, blue merle, or red merle, and may or may not include white or chestnut markings.

Australian Shepherd Health 

The Australian Shepherd can be very sensitive to a range of medications. Many have an extreme sensitivity to Ivermectin in particular, an anti-parasitic medication often used to prevent heartworm. While the mere coat pattern is very common in this breed, the merle gene does have a blind/deaf factor.

So care should be taken to make sure that puppies are not bred from two merle parents. The offspring of two merle dogs have a much greater chance of being blind, deaf, or both. As with all dog types, this breed is known to be affected by certain health conditions. The most common Australian Shepherd health problems include:

-hip dysplasia

-cataracts

-collie eye anomaly (CEA)

-epilepsy

-Von Willebrand’s disease

The average Australian Shepherd’s lifespan is from fourteen to sixteen years.

Australian Shepherd Temperament 

The Aussie is a loving and loyal companion. It is also highly intelligent and can be great with children. They also typically get along very well with other dogs and pets. While they are extremely affectionate with their family they can also be very courageous and make outstanding watchdogs as they are wary of strangers. Because they are bred to work they are happiest when they have a job to do.

Who Should Own An Australian Shepherd?

Just like in the past, the Australian Shepherd is still an ideal dog for herding and guarding livestock so would do very well on a working farm. However, it can also do very well in a home with an active family that gives it a lot of attention and exercise.

It will need vigorous exercise or play sessions on a daily basis. And because of its working background, it will not thrive in a situation where it is left alone for long hours. Without the right amount of mental and physical stimulation, they may become destructive and bark excessively.

Things To Keep In Mind

The fast, athletic, and clever Aussie is a natural fit for activities such as flyball, agility, Frisbee, among many others. Any of these would be an excellent idea for pets that are not living in a working environment helping to engage them mentally and physically.

An Aussie can also be trained and function extremely well to work as a service dog, in search and rescue, and as a guide dog. The working and herding instincts of this breed are actually so strong that they are known for sometimes trying to herd pets such as cats and even young children as they attempt to keep them in a specific area. This can be discouraged with training of course.

Australian Shepherd puppies should be socialized well so that they are not overly suspicious of strangers as they grow older leading to territorial behavior. When owning an Australian Shepherd training is very important. Because they are a willful working breed this usually means attending professional obedience classes which will allow both the dog and owner to learn what is acceptable behavior.

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