How California Influenced the Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherds in California

When the homesteaders began to settle to the west the population of both people and sheep increased. This was especially fast with the quick influx of people during the California gold rush. Along with this rapid increase came the vast amount of sheep and cattle to feed everyone, and the need for a specialized breed of dog who could handle sheep, the sheepherding dog, or sheepdog. The importation of sheep from Australia brought dogs more often than not of Brittish collie and shepherd origin and were not like today's Australian Shepherd. The American breed of Australian Shepherd we know today developed from this dog that had the ability to work in the rugged regions of the American West.

Settlers soon recognized that the country west of the Mississippi was greatly different than the eastern part they came from. The climate of the west was a lot harsher in terms of the heat in the dry southwestern portion of the country. The temperature extremes were much more varied than what the settlers or their working dogs had known before. And in the northwestern high mountain elevations, it was much colder than what they were acclimatized to.

Sheepdogs began to be developed that could manage the extreme dry climates and high hot dry temperature and the colder high altitude wet rainy storm conditions. These dogs have adapted to almost all environments, from the Arctic to the plains of Texas. hey are a "natural" animal around livestock and, once trained in a few essential commands, can master almost any herding requirement.

The Australian Shepherd really is a special dog beyond his manner of work. It is the incredible kinship he chooses to have with his master throughout his life. They are approvingly regarded for their strength, courage and intelligence and in the truehearted docile respect for their master.

Today, many Australian Shepherds play the same purpose in the state of California as they did many generations ago. They can be seen on many modern ranches today. Now many Australian Shepherds are found in a different purpose than the role they have fulfilled in the past. Many of the Australian Shepherds, commonly known as 'Aussies' are simply pets, or bred for dog shows and performance events. There still is a need for strong working Aussies to help with livestock. The natural instincts and capabilites to do its job is still in these Aussies today. Leaner and more agile these Aussies are less heavy-built with lighter coats bred specifically for working, than show-bred. They are energetic and highly intelligent dogs and possess a keen instinct to perform their job. They have a sense of dedication, duty and are protective of their territory when necessary. These Aussies need challenging daily activity and mental exercise which makes them unsuitable for most suburban pet homes. They were bred for herding livestock and are best suited in agricultural settings where they can get plenty of exercise.

Aussie bred specifically for working possess the most herding instinct, but it is still inherit in all Australian Shepherds. The show-bred Aussies are perhaps best known as affectionate family companions. Both the show bred Aussie and the work bred Aussie are hard working dogs. Australian Shepherds are utilized in a variety of roles, from guide dogs for the blind, hearing dogs for the deaf, therapy dogs, show dogs, drug detection dogs and for search-and-rescue. Because of their obedience, agility and highly competitve instinct, Aussies particiapte in performance dog events. The Australian Shepherd is growing into one of America's favorite breed of dog.