Australian Shepherd
Breed summary
The Australian Shepherd is traditionally a medium-sized, intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. This breed is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. They are well-balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone, with a variation of colors. In addition, they are solid and muscular without cloddiness, very much attentive and animated, lithe, and agile. Their coat is of moderate length and coarseness with a docked or naturally bobbed tail.
Nutrition
The Australian Shepherd needs high-quality dog food, whether manufactured commercially or home-prepared with your veterinarian’s supervision and approval. Any diet should be appropriate according to the dog’s stage (puppy, adult, or senior). Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, which needs to be checked. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Check with your vet if you have any concerns about your dog’s weight or diet.
Coat
Length: Medium
Characteristics: Double coat, straight
Colors: Black, red, blue merle, red merle, all with or without tan, and with or without white
Overall Grooming Needs: Moderate
Health care
Australian Shephard’s are generally a healthy breed. a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for certain health concerns like hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts, and certain forms of cancer. Their ears need to be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a build-up of wax. Some dental and periodontal diseases may develop if their teeth didn’t brush regularly.
Training
Australian shepherds are highly motivated by treats and praise and are highly intelligent dogs. This will work to your advantage when training them. Early socialization and obedience training are both musts for the Australian Shepherd. Aussies bond strongly to their families and so can be territorial and overprotective of their owners’ property, and they can become destructive if left without companionship for long periods too often.
Exercise
Like other herding breeds, these dogs excel at many dog sports, especially herding, dog agility, frisbee, and flyball. Aussies that exhibit basic herding instincts can be trained to compete in ASCA stock dog trials or AKC herding events. A high-energy, athletic dog, the Aussie needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis. At minimum, he should have a large, fenced-in yard to run around in for at least an hour or two daily.
Country of Origin: USA
AKC Breed Popularity: Ranks 17 of 196
AKC Classification: Herding Group
UKC Classification: Herding Dog
Exercise Requirements: >40 minutes/day
Height: Female: 20 inches; Male: 22 inches
Weight: Female: 40-55 lbs; Male: 50-65 lbs
Physical traits: Medium-sized, Solid, Tall
Personality traits/Temperament: Smart, Work-Oriented, Exuberant
Energy Level: Very energetic
Tendency to Drool: Moderate
Tendency to Snore: Low
Tendency to Bark: Moderate
Tendency to Dig: Low
Social/Attention Needs: High
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years
Fun fact
They Are Not Actually Australian, they came from Spain and developed in the United States.