The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, agile and intelligent dog. Due to his energetic and hardworking character, this is one of the best shepherd dogs that exist. For the same reason, he can be a difficult pet to handle for those who do not have enough time and space. However, it is a very noble, intelligent and beautiful dog, who, if they belong to an active, dynamic family and are very attentive to the education of this dog, will manage to have an unparalleled best friend by their side. We should not confuse the Australian Shepherd with the Australian Cattle Dog, two dogs with similar names but very different physical abilities.
In this tab on our site we will detail some curiosities about the history of the Australian Sheepdog and we will explain its characteristics and character typical of this breed. Read on to find out all about the Australian Shepherd.
Origin of the Australian Shepherd
Paradoxically, the Australian Shepherd has nothing to do with Australia, but is one more of the dog breeds developed in the United States, although it is of Spanish origin Some Basque emigrants moved to Australia to try their luck raising their sheep and brought their sheepdogs with them. However, around the year 1800, those same shepherds decided to go to America. Of course, they took their dogs and their flocks with them.
The settlers who were established in the United States, gave the name of Australian shepherd, or Australian shepherd dogs, to the newly arrived dogs, since it was Australia where they came from.
Over time, the Australian Shepherd showed his great qualities for the guide of different types of livestockand became the favorite dog of many North American shepherds and farmers
After World War II the popularity of these dogs increased in North America. Today, the Australian Shepherd is very popular throughout much of the United States and many European countries. He excels in canine sports such as agility and canine freestyle, but of course it is in herding that he performs best.
Now that you know the origin of the Australian shepherd dog, we are going to know its most outstanding characteristics
Australian Shepherd Characteristics
The body of this beautiful dog is medium, slightly longer than tall and muscular. The back is straight and level, while the croup is moderately sloping. The chest is deep and the bottom line recedes slightly on the abdomen. Some of the characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Dog are:
- The head: of the Australian Shepherd is strong, slim and well proportioned to the rest of the body.
- The nose: it is black in merle and black dogs, but it is liver in black dogs. red and blackbird red.
- The eyes: they are almond-shaped and can be brown, blue, amber, or any combination of these colors.
- The ears: they are triangular, medium and set high.
According to the breed standard, the tail of the Australian Shepherd must be straightand can be naturally long, naturally short or amputated. Fortunately, many countries now ban tail docking, so many dogs are spared this cruel and senseless practice. Naturally short tails in this breed can also be a sign of trouble, as they are genetically linked to spinal problems.
The Australian Shepherd Dog's coat is of medium length and texture, and can be straight or wavy. The inner layer of hair varies according to climatic variations.
Australian Sheepdog Colors
Among the characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Dog we could not forget the officially accepted colors. Said colors accepted for this breed are:
- Milon Blue.
- Black.
- Blackbird Red.
- Red.
Australian Shepherd Character
These dogs are excellent herders and have a confident and very energetic temperament, similar to that of the border collie. They tend to have strong guarding and herding instincts, as well as being very curious and intelligent.
Although they are dogs with strong guard tendencies, they are also friendly and loyal animals. They are not usually quarrelsome or aggressive, although they can be somewhat reserved when you meet someone. They can get along with other dogs and other animals, as long as they have received proper socialization. In any case, it is important to start socializing these dogs at an early age, to reduce the chances that they will develop aggressive or fearful behaviors.
Because of their high intelligence, Australian Shepherds can be easily trained However, they are very active dogs that can have problems with training when seeking to promote calm behaviors. They achieve good results in sports training in all their speci alties and, of course, in herding training.
Clicker training is perhaps the best way to train these dogs as it provides a lot of mental stimulation. When they are left alone for a long time, they tend to be destructive dogs. The same thing can happen if they don't get enough physical and mental exercise.
Either way, Australian Shepherds can make excellent pets if given the exercise and attention they demand Take into account Keep in mind, however, that these dogs demand a lot of exercise and a lot of attentionMost people don't have enough energy or time to have one of these dogs.
Australian Shepherd Care
Like all dogs, the Australian Shepherd needs specific care for its breed standard. So now we are going to talk about them.
- Feeding: this is one of the most important cares, since our Australian Shepherd will depend on feeding to grow he althy and strong. You will have to offer him a quality dry food for large dogs. This type of feed will also be useful for your he alth, as it will prevent you from having problems in your mouth.
- Exercise: Australian Shepherds need plenty of exercise and companionship. They are not suitable for living in an apartment due to their large amount of energy, but they are not suitable for being isolated in the garden either. Ideally, they live in houses with large gardens or on rural properties, where they can exercise outdoors, but share much of the time with the rest of the family. Introducing him to one of the most popular dog sports can be a great way to exercise him and achieve good physical he alth
- Grooming: the coat is not difficult to care for, and it is usually enough to brushing and combed twice a week However, Australian Shepherds shed a lot of hair. In any case, it is not advisable to bathe them very often, and you should only do it when it is really necessary.
On the other hand, mental stimulation through the different types of intelligence games will be an excellent tool to avoid behavior problems such as stress and anxiety.
Also, they will be a great way to train and make your dog feel useful. It is very important to think about these factors before deciding to adopt such a noble dog. Poor or deficient care can lead to behavioral problems.
Australian Shepherd Education
The Australian Shepherd is a very intelligent dog that will need education and training beyond what is usual for dogs. This is because the lack of motivation and development can lead to serious behavioral problems such as compulsive behaviors. We will work intensely on the education of the puppy soon and at this stage we will delve into basic obedience.
Once the basic commands have been assumed, it will be very important to continue working on new and creative forms of training. The combination of sport and advanced training can be an excellent alternative for our Australian Shepherd. For this, sports like Agility are excellent.
We tell you how to get started in Agility in this post on our site.
Australian Shepherd Sheepdog He alth
Unfortunately, like other herding dogs, the Australian Shepherd is prone to several hereditary diseases. These include:
- Waterfalls.
- Collie eye anomaly.
- Hip dysplasia.
- Nasal dermatitis: caused by the sun.
- Pelger-Huet syndrome.
- Iris coloboma.
- Lumbar sacral syndrome.
- Epilepsy.
- Progressive retinal atrophy.
- von Willebrand disease.
- Distichiasis.
- Patent ductus arteriosus.
In addition, crosses between blackbirds often result in blind and/or deaf puppies. Crosses between dogs with naturally short tails can produce puppies with serious spinal cord defects.
However, with a regular veterinary check-up and good care we can prevent the onset of some diseases. It will also be essential to follow the vaccination schedule for dogs and deworming.
Now that you know the diseases that the Australian Shepherd dog can suffer from, we are going to explain what you can do to adopt it.
Where to adopt an Australian shepherd dog?
After reading the characteristics of the Australian Shepherd Dog, you will surely be thinking of adopting one. The truth is that for this you can go to one of the animal protection centers near your town to take a look or a shelter. In the event that they do not have this exact breed, you can always contact an Australian Shepherd breed club.
From our site, even so, we want to remind you that what matters when adopting a dog is not the breed in question, but to provide the best possible life full of happiness and care.
