Mary Allen
The Australian Shepherd is considered an increasingly popular breed of dog, not only because of its unique appearance but also because of its high level of intelligence and even-tempered personality. The alert dog breed is assigned to FCI group 1, the group of herding and cattle dogs, and section 1, the section of shepherd dogs. Because of this, the Australian Shepherd is specifically used and viewed as a herding dog. In the course of the FCI regulations, this breed is represented as a herding dog at many international events. The medium-sized dogs enchant those around them, especially with their sunny disposition and their bright nature.
Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Information
Size: Males: 51-58 cm, females: 46-53 cm
Weight: Males: 25-32 kg, females: 16-25 kg
FCI group: 1: herding dogs and cattle dogs
Section: 1: German Shepherds
Country of origin: United States
Colours: black, red, red merle, blue merle, merle
Life expectancy: 12-15 years
Suitable as: working, herding, and guard dog
Sports: agility
Temperament: active, affectionate, intelligent, good-natured, caring
Leaving requirements: high
Low drool potential
The thickness of hair medium
Maintenance effort: low
Coat Texture: Medium texture, straight to wavy, weather-resistant, and medium length
Child-friendly: rather yes
Family dog: yes
Social: yes
Origin and Breed History
Contrary to many expectations, the Australian Shepherd does not come from Australia, but from North America. The history of the dog breed has not been completely reconstructed to this day, but there are theories about the breed history of the herding dog. According to various theories, the Australian Shepherd came to America through the immigration of Basque shepherds in the 19th century. Shepherds emigrated to America during the Gold Rush around 1840, leaving their home in Australia with their herding dogs. They used their dogs to drive and herd their merino sheep flocks, which were also called “Australian Sheep” in North America. This is how the Australian Shepherd got its now officially recognized breed name. After the Second World War, the Aussie, as the Australian Shepherd is also known, became increasingly popular with Western riders and farmers. The breed soon spread throughout North America, accompanying many ranchers in their work. The distinctive herding and herding skills of the breed developed even more strongly, which is reflected in the character of today’s Aussies.
In 1957 the ASCA (Australian Shepherd Club of America) was founded and the first official register opened. Nine years later the IASA (International Australian Shepherd Association) was founded and in 1980 both organizations merged. The official breed standard that is still valid today was published in 1977 by the ASCA. In addition to this standard, the American Kennel Club (AKC) published its own standard, which came into force in 1993. The Australian Shepherd was recognized by the FCI relatively late, namely only in 1996. The FCI published its standard in June 2009. The late recognition by the FCI is probably due to the fact that the Aussie has only been increasingly represented in Europe since the 1970s. The CASD, the German Club for Australian Shepherds, has also kept a studbook since 2001.
Where Does the Australian Shepherd Come From?
Contrary to many expectations, the Australian Shepherd does not come from Australia, but from North America.
Nature & Temperament from the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is bursting with zest for life and intelligence. He is very similar to the Border Collie in his nature, but he has a very strong protective and guard instinct. The Aussie is considered one of the most agile dog breeds of all, which is why it should definitely be challenged enough. He loves long walks and bike rides, but even this kind of workload alone is not enough. The Australian Shepherd seems to have an energy store that rarely goes out.
Aside from being athletic, the Aussie is extremely family and child-friendly. He is very social and interested and enjoys every new adventure. He likes to play with other conspecifics and is friendly towards everyone. Despite its agility, the Australian Shepherd is by no means hyper or aggressive. He has a very even temper and a loyal soul. Although the medium-sized dogs are very outgoing, in most cases they will need some time to warm up to strangers and warm up. Once they have gained trust, the sensitive dogs show their playful and fun-loving side. The American never leaves his caregiver’s side. Aussies are known to be very loyal, obedient, and kind-hearted. Although they need a certain consistency in their upbringing, they learn quickly because of their high level of comprehension.
The characteristic of the Australian Shepherd is his pronounced herding instinct, which should not be underestimated. This is reflected in his behavior when you catch him not only wanting to look after passing cyclists but also children, joggers, or grazing sheep and cows. The also very pronounced protective instinct makes the Aussie an excellent guard dog who wants to protect his family above all. Even today it is very popular with farmers to guard their farms and to drive and protect herds. Despite their above-average protective instincts and their pronounced alertness, the Australian Shepherd is by no means a barker.
Is an Australian Shepherd a Family Pet?
Yes, the Australian Shepherd is a family dog that needs lots of exercise and exercise.
The Appearance of the Australian Shepherd
The medium-sized dogs have a very harmonious physique. Her athleticism and agility are reflected in her physique. The Aussie’s body is well proportioned and the dogs can boast good bone strength. Males reach a stick size between 51 and 58 cm, bitches are about 46 to 53 cm tall. The Aussie’s body is dominated by length rather than height, and depending on size and sex, the dogs tip the scales at 17 to 27 kg.
The Australian Shepherd has triangular tipped ears, a well-formed, slim muzzle, and a well-proportioned head. The Australian Shepherd’s coat is medium-length, wavy to straight, and comes in a wide range of colors. Typical of the breed is the dense undercoat, which is intended to protect the Aussie from the weather. The coat is of medium length throughout except on the head, ears, below the hocks, and on the front of the forelegs. There the hair coat is shorter and smooth.
There are four basic colors:
- black;
- red;
- blue-merle (grey as the base color with marbled black);
- red-merle (light red or beige base color with marbled red-brown).
These basic colors appear either alone or in combination with markings, which can be white and copper-colored. According to the standard, there are a total of 16 officially recognized color combinations that differ in the interaction of the badges and basic colors. The best-known color combinations are red-merle and blue-merle, each with markings in the colors copper (copper) and white (white). The markings appear here either in one of the two colors or in both copper and white. However, there are also Aussies who do not have any markings.
Also known are the color combinations black-tri and red-tri, which, as the name suggests, contain three colors. The same is also available as red-bi and black-bi, each of which has two colors. Again, many dogs have badges in copper and white. Solid black and solid red Aussies are often not immediately recognized as Australian Shepherds, but these two colors are also recognized color combinations in the standard.
Characteristic of the Australian Shepherd is the predominantly white areas around the eyes and ears, which give the dogs their “face”. These markings are allowed in the standard, but white spots on the body or on the nose lead to disqualification. Sometimes Australian Shepherds have an entirely unpigmented nose, referred to as a “Dudley Nose”.
What Does an Australian Shepherd Look Like?
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog. Males are 51-58 cm tall, females 46-53 cm.
Training and Husbandry of the Australian Shepherd – This is Important to Note
Training an Australian Shepherd requires enough exercise and consistency. The medium-sized dogs are very clever by nature and have a high level of comprehension, but they know exactly how to wrap their master or mistress around their fingers. Therefore, a certain consistency and rigor is mandatory when raising an Aussie. Nevertheless, the upbringing should be loving and give the dog a certain amount of joy. It is highly recommended to attend a course at the nearest dog school. Dog schools or dog training centers also offer the opportunity for the dog to get used to other dogs at an early stage.
The Australian Shepherd is a very intelligent breed of dog that requires a lot of exercise and activity. If you want to keep an Aussie, you should plan a lot of time and be of an athletic nature. When keeping an Australian Shepherd, care must be taken to ensure that the dog is sufficiently challenged. This applies to both physical and mental activities. Hiking, jogging, cycling, or inline skating, the Australian Shepherd is everywhere. But dog sports, obedience training, and the like are also fun for the intelligent sports cannon.
Diet of the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd’s diet is the same as that of any other breed of dog, depending on their age, level of activity, the energy content of the food used, general health, and any food intolerances. It also plays a role whether the dog is neutered or whether it is unneutered dog. Puppies require food that has a very high energy content as they are growing. Pregnant bitches and unneutered dogs also need food with higher energy content or a larger amount of food.
In order to provide the Australian Shepherd with the best possible nutritional support, attention should be paid to a balanced and healthy diet. The dog’s diet is similar to that of humans. It is important to be economical with the dog biscuits, so the one or two main meals should contain all the necessary nutrients. Due to its sportiness and a high degree of agility, the Australian Shepherd needs more energy-rich food than other dog breeds. We recommend food that contains a lot of protein that stimulates the dog’s muscles sufficiently. The metabolism also benefits from a diet rich in micro and macronutrients.
The dog can be fed a mixture of dry and wet food as well as home-cooked food. In addition, the Australian Shepherd is a good candidate for barfing. Barf describes a diet in which the dog is fed mainly on raw meat, combined with a list of fruits and vegetables and various high-quality fats. As an athlete, the Aussie benefits from this diet as bones, muscles, tendons, and ligaments benefit from the high protein content and fresh ingredients.
Healthy – Life Expectancy & Common Diseases
Basically, the Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years. To reach this age, the Aussie should be free of any hereditary diseases, have a balanced diet, and be physically and mentally challenged enough.
Unfortunately, like many other pedigree dogs, this breed of dog also suffers from diseases that are passed on genetically. Aussies very often suffer from the so-called MDR1 defect, which causes hypersensitivity to various drugs. This defect affects around 40% of dogs. Aussies are considered to be those pedigree dogs that show serious genetic diseases as a result of targeted and increased breeding.
Conditions such as epilepsy, autoimmune diseases, allergies, thyroid and heart problems, and hip and elbow dysplasia are not uncommon in this breed. Over the years, more and more diseases appear, which are passed on genetically through the hereditary disposition and are forced through breeding.
Australian Shepherds that come from a merle x merle mating often suffer from serious defects in the visual and hearing apparatus. Many dogs are blind or deaf from birth or later in life. Breeding of these matings is therefore prohibited in Germany and is classified as torture breeding.
How Old Do Australian Shepherds Get?
The Australian Shepherd has a life expectancy of between 12 and 14 years.
Grooming the Australian Shepherd
Aussies are fundamentally low-maintenance dogs. Because of their warm undercoat and medium-length coat, the Australian Shepherd should be brushed and trimmed regularly. It is advisable to visit a dog groomer if you have no prior experience. This can professionally thin out the undercoat without damaging the topcoat. Bathing the Aussie is useful from time to time, but it is not a must.
Aside from grooming the coat, special attention should be paid to physical health. Because the Australian Shepherd is prone to a number of hereditary diseases, regular vet check-ups are a must. Even as a puppy, in the course of various vaccinations, the dog should be presented to the veterinarian and examined extensively in order to counteract later complications.
Australian Shepherd Activities and Training
In general, the Aussie is highly motivated to learn and learn new tricks and commands very quickly. The basic training should take place as a puppy and is not a problem for the Australian Shepherd. This dog breed is neither stubborn nor excessively self-willed when it comes to training. Aussies are highly motivated to obey their owners and take pleasure in anticipating their master’s every wish.
Since the Australian Shepherd is one of the most athletic dog breeds, he is enthusiastic about all outdoor activities and dog sports. Whether it’s cycling, inline skating, skateboarding, accompanying you on horseback rides, hiking, or accompanying you on ski tours, the Aussie really enjoys exercise. This breed of dog is also often represented in dog sports. This is certainly due to the Aussie’s above-average fitness, but also due to his high level of comprehension and his intelligence. Anyone who wants a dog with which they would like to take various companion dog tests or take part in agility tournaments will find the perfect sports partner in the Australian Shepherd.
The Aussie is also suitable for obedience, flyball, popular sports, and many other dog sports. Anyone who keeps an Australian Shepherd should offer the dog a wide range of activities with enough action. Aussies also make the good rescue, therapy, or companion dogs.
Good to Know: Special Features of the Australian Shepherd
In contrast to many other dog breeds, the Aussie has some special features. He has a congenital stumpy tail, which is referred to in the technical jargon as “Natural Bobtail” (short NBT). However, this is not the case for all dogs. With some dogs, the tail is also docked afterward, but only in countries where this “cosmetic surgery” is not prohibited. In Germany, tail and ear docking is prohibited according to Section 6 of the Animal Welfare Act.
Another special feature of the Australian Shepherd is the color of his eyes. From light blue to brown to amber, the eyes can take on any color and color combination. In some cases, Americans even have two different colored eyes.
How Much Does an Australian Shepherd Cost?
Australian Shepherds usually cost between $1,300 and $2,400 to buy.
Cons of the Australian Shepherd
If you bring an Australian Shepherd into your home, you have to reckon with the fact that high vet bills are not uncommon. Suffering from a variety of possible hereditary diseases, unlike other pedigree dogs, a vet visit is standard when owning an Aussie. Of course, this does not have to apply to every Australian Shepherd, but keeping this breed involves a certain risk of costs.
It is highly recommended that you carefully consider whether you have the time, space, and money to own an Australian Shepherd. It is not uncommon for the lovable and pretty dogs to end up in the animal shelter because the previous owner was overworked and overwhelmed.
Another disadvantage of keeping an Australian Shepherd is the dog’s herding instinct. If you don’t exercise the dog enough or don’t train it early enough, you may have to reckon with the fact that every jogger, cyclist, and sheep is a possible target for the cattle dog. The Aussies’ pronounced instinct to be alert and to drive should not be underestimated and should be challenged in a playful manner during training if possible.
Is the Australian Shepherd Right for Me?
The Australian Shepherd is a dog breed that definitely needs an active and agile owner. If you are a non-sports person and don’t enjoy long walks, you shouldn’t bring an Australian Shepherd into your home. In addition, there should be enough willingness to keep the dog busy. In contrast to other pedigree dogs, the Aussie wants to be challenged and harnessed both mentally and physically. Whether it’s intelligence games for dogs, agility, or other dog sports, the Aussie finds joy in everything where his head and body find work. Even higher veterinary costs and one or two visits to the dog groomer should not be a problem.