Australian Shepherd dog breed
- Last updated: February 7. 2022
- Categories: Dog breeds, Herding dogs, Medium dogs, Medium hair
- Post views: 782
The Australian Shepherd is a popular companion and family dog around the world, they are medium-sized dogs with a medium hair length on their double coat. Aussies are part of the Herding group, even though they are mostly used as pets these days, their strong herding instincts still remain. This kind-looking colorful dog is actually not originally bred in Australia, but exclusively in the United States. The Australian part of their names is because that was their ancestor’s last place of residence before settlers moved their livestock and sheepdogs to the United States in the 1800s, where the dogs were crossed into this new breed
M: 50 - 58 cm / 20 - 23 in
F: 46 - 53 cm / 18 - 21 in
M: 22 - 29 kg / 50 - 65 lbs
F: 18 - 25 kg / 40 - 55 lbs
Healthy dogs of this breed lives
average between 12 to 15 years
Herding: These dogs were bred to control other animals movements
Australian Shepherd general info
The Australian Shepherd is a dog breed developed exclusively in the western parts of the United States. The Australian part of their name is because that’s where they had their last residence before being moved to America by settlers in the 1800s. It was not before after World War II the Australian Shepherd dog became known and popular to the general population, after appearing on horse shows, movies, television, and rodeos. Since then, the breed has remained a popular dog as both farmworkers and pets. In 1993, the Australian Shepherd was officially recognized as a breed by the American Kennel Club. The breed is one of the most versatile dog breeds, excelling at obedience, agility, and herding animals, not only sheep but cattle as well. The dog is now the 12. most popular dog in the USA, but its actual rank is hard to predict as a large proportion of them are not registered with the American Kennel Club
Australian Shepherd appearance
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog that’s bordering to large. The males of this breed can weigh up to 29 kg / 65 lbs and have a height of 58 cm / 23 inches from the ground and up to the shoulders. The females are a bit smaller than the males, as with most other breeds. The Aussies are quite unique dogs appearance-wise, after looking at the pictures in this article, you should have no problems recognizing the breed if you stumble upon one when out strolling. Their coats come in a variety of colors and patterns, it’s said that no Aussies share a coat, kind of like a fingerprint. Their eyes can also be a wide array of colors, like, blue, brown, green, hazel, and amber. They often have different colored eyes too, a condition that’s called heterochromia
Australian Shepherd temperament
Australian Shepherds are loving, confident, independent, and responsive dogs, among other traits. Properly trained and exercised, the Australian Shepherds are loyal, obedient, and utterly devoted companions. They are also protective of their families, one of many reasons why this breed is such a popular family dog. Even though they are primarily bred for pets, their herding instincts still remain. It is not uncommon that they will try to herd young children and other pets. As with all dog breeds, not just Japanese Akitas, socialization with humans and other dogs should start early to teach the dog how to behave when encountering strangers and other dogs. Signing up for a puppy class is the first step along the way to get a companion that behaves properly
Australian Shepherd health
Australian Shepherds are considered a healthy breed, as long as they come from reputable breeders and not puppy mills and backyard breeders. Their major health concerns are cataracts and collie eye anomaly. As with all dog breeds, they are also prone to developing certain common diseases. This can include eye problems, skin allergies, orthopedic problems, and ear infections. Regular wellness checkups at the vet should be done at least once a year to track the dog’s development and catch any potential health issues early on, which improves the chances of successful treatment. If you suspect that your dog is having issues, or have changed its behavior radically, you must contact your vet and schedule an appointment as soon as possible for a consultation. It is always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your furry companion
Breed shedding and grooming
Australian Shepherds have a quite high shedding level, they shed all year round and blow their coat twice a year, during spring and autumn. These dogs have a double coat with a medium hair length that borders to long, expect lots of hair from these guys. Frequent brushing will help reduce the amount of hair floating around the home, also preventing the coat from getting tangles and mats. Keeping the dog on meat-rich dog foods also helps reduce the shedding amount and prevents dry skin. Meat is digested and absorbed quickly, promoting better overall health in your furry little buddy. If your dog is subject to excessive shedding, contact your local veterinarian and ask for guidance and hear with them if the dog should come in for a checkup
Australian Shepherd barking
Australian Shepherds bark a lot, as it’s in their nature. They will bark at pretty much everything and everyone. If they want something from you, they bark, if someone comes to your house, they bark. And the list goes on and on and on. Common reasons for dogs barking are protection, alerting, being bored, fear, seeking attention, separation anxiety, or just saying hello. You can read more about barking at this guide from WebMD Pets: Understanding why dogs bark. All dog breeds can be trained to reduce barking, another thing that should be focused on learning from an early age. There are plenty of online resources where you can learn how to reduce barking, like YouTube, online courses, and websites. You might also want to shop for books that address this issue too
Australian Shepherd training
Australian Shepherds are intelligent dogs that are easy to train. They are eager to please and follow orders from their owners. They do require firm and consistent training, which may be a challenge for inexperienced dog owners. The Australian Shepherds responds well to reward-based training, giving it praise and treats when successfully completing its command. This encourages the dog to continue completing their tasks to the owner’s preferments. They will also need to have their daily physical and mental exercise needs satisfied for them to be attentive during training sessions. The first step on the road is signing up for a puppy class, here you will learn the basics about dog care and training. You can also watch dog training videos from professional trainers, attend online dog training courses, or maybe get yourself a dog training book
Breed exercise requirements
Australian Shepherds are high-energy dogs that require a lot of exercise every day throughout their lives to remain healthy and happy. They should have at least two hours of exercise daily, as well as mental stimulation in the form of games and training. Australian Shepherds that don’t get enough exercise can become frustrated and difficult to live with. If you live an active lifestyle with lots of outdoor activities, like hiking, running, and biking, this breed will make an excellent companion. Preferably, this breed should live in houses with lots of space to roam around and a yard where they can run freely. Australian Shepherds can adapt to live in apartments as long as their daily exercise needs are met. Their barking can be a problem regarding the neighbors though
Caring for dogs
Grooming is not the only maintenance your dog requires throughout its life. Complete examinations at the vet should be done at least once a year for adult dogs. Puppies should come in every 3 or 4 weeks until they are around four months old. Contact your vet and they will set you up with schedules.
Trimming the claws should be done whenever they touch the ground when the dog is standing up, or make it a frequent routine to keep them short
Brushing the teeth should be done on a daily basis to prevent gum diseases. Chew bones and toys will also help strengthen your dog’s teeth and gums
Cleaning the ears to prevent ear infections is also another important part of the dog’s routine maintenance. You can have your vet show you how to do it
Socializing dogs
No matter what kind of dog breed you have, socializing it from an early age is the most important thing you can do in order to get a well-behaving buddy that reacts to the world around it in a healthy way. Until your puppy is around 16 weeks old, it should encounter different kinds of people, situations, and locations, learning that the world is a wonderful place to live. Puppies have a short developmental window in which their experiences will form their future selves. Puppies should however not be forced into situations they might feel uncomfortable with, as bad experiences may imprint and stay with the dog for the rest of the life. You can watch free videos from professional dog trainers on how to socialize your new puppy and learn how to do so the correct way
Australian Shepherds on Instagram
Here are some pictures of the Australian Shepherd on Instagram. See even more photos of them by exploring #AustralianShepherd or using Google Image Search
Video of the Australian Shepherd
Here is a video of the Australian Shepherd dog from Animal Insider on YouTube, covering the most important features wrapped up into this 9-minute long video
Frequently asked questions
References and resources
You can absorb more knowledge about this dog breed from the resources below. Websites, books, and social media sites where you can ask dog owners questions
