~ EVERYTHING YOU'VE ALWAYS WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT AN AUSSIE ~
(and some things you didn't...)
 
 

 
 The Australian Shepherd
 
 The Australian Shepherd is not really an Australian breed, but came to America by way of Australia.  During the 1800s the Basque people of  Europe settled in Australia, bringing with them their sheep and  sheepdogs. Shortly thereafter, many of these shepherds relocated to the western United States, again, complete with dogs and sheep. American shepherds naturally dubbed their dogs "Australian Shepherds",  since that was their immediate past residence. Some legends claim that the dogs offered their masters protection from some of the Indian tribes, who held a certain reverence for them because of their often blue eyes.  The rugged area of Australia and western America placed demands on the herding dogs that they had not faced in Europe, but through various crosses and rigorous selection for working ability the Basque dog soon adapted and excelled under these harsh conditions.  The breed kept a low profile until the 1950s, when they were featured
in a popular trick-dog act that performed in rodeos and was featured in film.  Many of these dogs, owned by Jay Sisler, can be found in the pedigrees of today's Aussies. A club was formed in 1957, and the first Aussies were registered with the National Stock Dog Registry.  In the midst of some controversy, the AKC recognized the Australian Shepherd in 1993. It quickly became a successful show dog.  Its popularity according to AKC statistics vastly underestimates the popularity of
this breed as a pet, as a large proportion of this working breed remains unregistered with the AKC.
 
Form and Function
This is an athletic dog of medium size and bone, lithe, agile, and slightly longer than tall. It is muscular and powerful enough to work all day, without sacrificing speed and agility necessary to cope with
bolting sheep. Its gait is free and easy, and it must be able to change direction or speed instantly. Its coat is weather resistant and double, with the outer coat of medium texture and length, straight to
wavy, and the undercoat varying in quantity according to climate. Its expression is keen, intelligent, and eager.
 
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is bold, alert, confident, independent, smart, and responsive. It has the stamina to herd all day, and the brains to outsmart a flock of uncooperative sheep.  If it doesn't get a chance to exercise and challenge its strongly developed mental and physical activities, it is apt to become frustrated and difficult to live with. With proper exercise, it is a loyal, utterly devoted and obedient  companion. It is reserved with strangers. It may try to herd children and small animals. Dogs from working strains are more energetic and more difficult to keep as non-working pets.
 
Upkeep
This is a breed that is happiest when it has a job to do. It needs a good, strenuous workout every day, preferably combining both physical and mental challenges. Its coat needs brushing or combing one to two times weekly.
 
Essential Details
Eyes color is brown, blue, amber, or any combination
Head: moderate well-defined stop
Ears are triangular, set high; at attention they break forward and over, or to the side
Topline straight, strong, level, feet are oval
Tail docked or natural bob
Ht: M: 20-23"; F: 18-21"  /    Wt: 40-75 lbs.
Colors: blue merle, black, red merle, or red, all with or without white and/or tan trim.
 
 
Health
Major concerns:  CEA (Collie Eye Anomoly), hip dysplasia
Life span: 12-14 years
Note: Often sensitive to ivermectin (the ingredient in HeartGuard), Intercepter is recommend for heartworm prevention.
Merles should not be bred to merles because a homozygous merle is lethal or detrimental to health (deafness, blindness, internal organ problems). Can be indentified by having excessive white (outside of trim area), especially around ears and eyes.
 
At a Glance
Energy level: high
Exercise requirements: very high
Playfulness: very high
Affection level: high
Good with children: medium high
Friendliness toward dogs: medium high
Friendliness toward other pets: medium high
Friendliness toward strangers: medium low
Ease of training: very high
Watchdog ability: very high
Protection ability: medium high
Grooming requirements: medium
Heat tolerance: medium
Cold tolerance: medium high
 
 

 ~ COMMONLY ASKED QUESTIONS ~
(humorous but oh, so true.....)
What Do Aussies Like To Herd?
Any living (or non-living) thing that moves faster than a snail, ie;  cows, sheep, kids, cats, cars, bikes, vacuum cleaners, lawnmowers,  etc.
 
Why Do They Do This?
Instinct. But basically to make sure their owner are made aware of  these moving objects (in case they didn't know and/or cared), with the objective of rounding them up into one area so they can keep an eye on  them. Some Aussies possess less herding instinct than others do, but for the most part they all do it in some form or fashion. Can they be taught not to herd? No....but their 'herding' energy can be redirected into constructive activities such as playing ball, frisbee, agility, obedience, flyball, etc. Although, after an Aussie has been convinced that chasing a ball or frisbee is what he should be doing with his energy, he will remind you of this every day and you will soon be convinced that if you had a nickel for every time you threw it you'd be a millionaire many times over.
 
Do They Shed Much?
At the annual ritual known as "blowing coat" you can comb enough fur out of your dog to have spun into enough yarn to make yourself a cap, a scarf and a pair of mittens. Why you would want to is beyond me,  since everything else you  own is already lavishly decorated with Aussie hair. Since shedding, to some degree, takes place 365 days a year, you will have ample decoration on your rug, couch, bed, etc.

What About Barking?
What about it? If begun early, you can train yourself to come every time your Aussie barks and give it some attention. Give him enough attention for barking, and your neighbors will also begin to give you some attention. Mutual  reinforcement always works. What do Aussies bark at? Only things they can see and  hear - that includes low flying  satellites and butterflies. Most Aussies eavesdrop on a family argument four houses away, yet become selectively deaf upon hearing words like "stop that", "come here" and "be quiet". Aussie owners exchange information on stopping barking the way our grandmothers exchanges recipes for pickles - no two were ever alike.
 
How Do Aussies And Children Get Along?
If you train your children early enough not to tease the dog, wake him by jumping on top of him, pinch his ears or steal his food - your Aussie will be safe from the kids.