Basic Things You Should Know About The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd (also known as the "Aussie") is a herding breed of dog. They feature a blue merle, red merle or black, red and white coat. The breed first appeared in the 1800s. They were originally bred for herding sheep. These days they are popular as a herding dog, for movie roles, search and rescue or guide dogs. They can be recognized by their high versatility, trainability and intelligence. They are thought to originate from the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France and are a descendant of the Carea Leones from Spain and various British herding dogs.

They are classified as a medium sized dog. The recommended male size is 20-23 inches high with a weight of 50-65 pounds, while the female size is 18-21 inches high with a weight of 40-55 pounds. Their temperament is well-known to be bold, alert and confident. They are typically shy with strangers, and this makes them unsuitable as a guard dog. The breed is known to be highly intelligent, and ranks 42nd compared to all other breeds when learning new obedience instructions.

They are great (but may try to herd) with children, which can make them suitable as a family pet. They do get along well with other animals such as other dogs and pets. Grooming them is a straightforward task. They need moderate brushing every few days, and full grooming every couple of months. They enjoy having a large yard to run around in, but won't be suitable for apartment life.

Like most medium sized breeds, they are primarily longer-lived with a life expectancy of 12-14 years. Their most severe health concern is Collie Eye Anomaly, and they are also susceptible to autoimmune disorders, hip dysplasia, epilepsy or eye defects. They enjoy hobbies like agility, flyball or herding. They have a high level of energy, which means they need very long (plus other physical challenges) walks each day to prevent destructive behavior.

If you own the Australian Shepherd you need to be prepared to meet their high demand for physical and mental stimulation. They are less suitable for inactive owners or apartment dwellers, but highly suitable for active owners with a large yard and job to give them. One of the best things about this breed is that it has a high level of intelligence and versatility that makes it possible to teach almost anything.

If you want to learn more Australian Shepherd information and other related topics take a look at this page.