In spite of its name, the Australian Shepherd is not Australian, it was bred entirely in the U.S. to work on ranches as a herding dog.
Although it isn’t certain how the Australian Shepherd received its name, it is considered that the name may have been derived from one of the dog’s many ancestors, and in particular from the Spanish dogs who accompanied the Basque shepherds and herds of Merino sheep that were exported to both America and Australia in early colonial times.
FACTS ABOUT THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD:
| Size | Male: 19-23 in (48-58 cm) Female:18-22 in (46-56 cm) |
| Weight | Male: 40-70 lb (18-32 kgs) Female: 35-65 lb (16-29 kgs) |
| Temperament |
They make an excellent children’s companion and family pet, as they are devoted and naturally protective. Australian Shepherds are eager to please their owner and they are lively, agile and attentive. The Australian Shepherd is highly intelligent and easy to train but, they can be destructive if they are left alone too often without any means of amusement or exercise. Make sure they are well socialized as puppies. They are suspicious of strangers. The Australian Shepherd works quietly when working with stock, unlike some breeds, which are bred to bark constantly at livestock. Australian shepherds are often used for retrieving, herding, as a watchdog, for guard work, police work, narcotics detection and search and rescue work. The Australian Shepherd is generally not an aggressive dog. |
| Grooming |
Bathe only when necessary. The Australian Shepherd is an average shedder.
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| Exercise | The Australian Shepherd requires regular vigorous exercise. |
| Living Area | Adapts to urban living but requires a large area for exercise. Not recommended for apartment living. The Australian Shepherd is moderately active indoors. |
| Health | Australian Shepherd are a hardy breed that is generally healthy. Can suffer from hip dysplasia and eye problems, with cataracts being a major concern. These dogs can be sensitive to some heartworm preventatives. Can suffer from epilepsy. |
| ife Expectancy | 12 – 15 years |
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