The Australian Shepherd (affectionately known as - Aussie) is a herding breed that despite its name, originated in the United States on working farms and ranches in throughout the west. The Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc. was established in 1957. The club was established to promote and protect the beautiful Australian Shepherd and its natural talents. The breed can average 30-65 pounds with many color variations; the blue merle, black tri, black bi, red merle, red tri and red bi.
Per the breed standard; the general appearance of the Australian Shepherd is a well balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality of each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail.
The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog showing strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness.
The above two paragraphs from the breed standard explains the Australian Shepherd very well. They are incredible dogs with so much intelligence, heart, stamina, agility, and endurance that they are capable of many tasks including: herding, tracking, search and rescue, service dogs, agility, tracking, obedience, Frisbee competitions, and devoted companions.
Those same wonderful characteristics of the aussie can be a challenge. They are incredibly smart and need a job! It is difficult to own a dog that is smarter than you are. Believe me I know- it is also humbling. If they do not have a job and plenty of exercise mentally and physically, they will find one, such as: rearranging your carpet, wallpaper, woodwork, barking and protecting their home from any living thing that moves, herding the children, tormenting the cat, and other potentially destructive behaviors.
They also require a high level of companionship. This breed needs a lot of attention from their "pack". If you do not give this to them they can become upset and vent their frustrations on you. (See above potential problems).
The same coat that makes them so beautiful is also the same coat that sheds, and sheds, and sheds. They are "wash and wear" dogs which means they do not have to be bathed that frequently. I am amazed at how easily mud, when it dries, falls off of them. But I am also amazed at the amount of hair I sweep every week. They are not for families who can't deal with hair!
Since they are a herding breed-they herd! It could be you, children, houseguests, other pets, toys, or lawn ornaments. It could be quite funny to see an 8 week old Australian Shepherd nip and bark at the kids to get them all "rounded up" in the same room. It would not be quite so humorous when they are 50 lbs, strong, and determined and have adult teeth doing the same "round up". A lot of patience and training must be given to an Australian Shepherd to help them grow into a beloved and well behaved member of the "family pack".
Please ask a lot of questions and give serious thought before you purchase or adopt an Australian Shepherd (or for that manner, any breed of dog). The Australian Shepherd is not the right dog for everyone's lifestyle. Too often, a person will purchase, a cute fluffy adorable aussie and bring it home without understanding the breed. Once the puppy has hit adolescence and it no longer cute and fuzzy it isn't so desirable. The owner isn't able or willing to give it the attention and training it needs. The lucky ones end up back with the breeder, aussie rescue or other rescue clubs. The not so lucky ones end up chained in the backyard and ignored, living a neglected existence or worse.
If after careful consideration you decide the Australian Shepherd is the right dog for you- WATCH OUT! - They are like potato chips, you can't have just one.
