AHBR | Australian Shepherds

Australian Shepherds are commonly known as Aussies (not to be confused with Australian Cattle Dogs). The Australian Shepherd is not really an Australian breed, but came to America by way of Australia. During the 1800s the Basque people of Europe settled in Australia, bringing with them their sheep and sheepdogs. Shortly thereafter, many of these shepherds relocated to the western United States, again, complete with dogs and sheep. American shepherds naturally dubbed their dogs "Australian Shepherds", since that was their immediate past residence.

Aussies are an athletic dog of medium size and bone, lithe, agile, and slightly longer than tall. It is muscular and powerful enough to work all day, without sacrificing speed and agility necessary to cope with bolting sheep. Its gait is free and easy, and it must be able to change direction or speed instantly. Its coat is weather resistant and double, with the outer coat of medium texture and length, straight to wavy, and the undercoat varying in quantity according to climate. Its expression is keen, intelligent, and eager.

The Aussie coat is usually remarked on immediately because of its striking coloration. Aussies come in 4 colors: blue merle, black tri, red merle, or red tri, all with or without white and/or tan trim. Eye color may be brown, blue, amber, or any combination Aussies are born with tail, but they are commonly docked at birth. Some Aussies are born without tails, and are called natural bobs. The height for males usually ranges between 20-23 inches and 18-21 inches for females. Both sexes usually weight between 40 and 75 lbs.

The Australian Shepherd is bold, alert, confident, independent, smart, and responsive. It has the stamina to herd all day, and the brains to outsmart a flock of uncooperative sheep. If it doesn't get a chance to exercise and challenge its strongly developed mental and physical activities, it is apt to become frustrated and difficult to live with. With proper exercise, it is a loyal, utterly devoted and obedient companion. It is reserved with strangers. It may try to herd children and small animals. Dogs from working strains are more energetic and more difficult to keep as non-working pets. Aussies typically excel at any type of performance events such as obedience, flyball, agility and frisbee. They have also made excellent Search and Rescue dogs and service dogs.

Aussies are typically a healthy breed, with lifespans of 12 – 14 years. Health problems include CEA (Collie Eye Anomoly), and hip dysplasia. They may be sensitive to ivermectin (the ingredient in HeartGuard), so Intercepter is recommend for heartworm prevention. Merles should not be bred to merles because a homozygous merle is lethal or detrimental to health (deafness, blindness, internal organ problems). A homozygous merle can be identified by having excessive white (outside of trim area), especially around ears and eyes. Never buy an Aussie whose head is entirely white.