The Australian Shepherd is a dog breed renowned for its skills as a herding dog. It is not a breed for anyone, since it has a character similar to that of other shepherd breeds, very friendly with people, but also with a marked instinct for work. To learn more about the Australian Shepherd, we invite you to continue reading this article.
The Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd (Australian Shepherd) is a dog of great versatility, which performs its task as a shepherd as well as when it serves as a guide dog. Additionally, he is a magnificent companion for children, whom he can come to adore very much and with whom he will entertain himself splendidly running around and playing.
For decades these dogs have been appreciated by ranchers because of their innate agility and training. While they are still regarded as purebred dogs and compete in herding trials, the breed has gained recognition in other roles for their aptitude to be trained and eager to please, and they are highly valued for their skills in grooming. obey.
Origin and History
Despite its name, its origin and development truly comes from the north of Spain, specifically from the regions of Asturias and the Basque Country, although it is still true that it soon reached other places on the planet, such as Australia and the United States and, where it was much more popular. Its name comes from a link with Basque shepherds who arrived in this last country from the Australian continent, and who were the ones who promoted the breeding of this dog breed around the year 1800.
Years later, the breed continued to develop in the United States, since these shepherds stayed in this nation in the company of their dogs. At the time, this dog was already called the Australian Shepherd, and they were held in great esteem for his qualities as a caretaker of the flocks of sheep of the Basque shepherds settled there. They have become a very popular breed, particularly after World War II, which was when the general public began to know about them through Disney movies, and thanks to horse shows.
Since ancient times, farmers have appreciated the intelligence of these dogs, and the wonderful skill they have to do their tasks so well. It is still true that, although even today they continue to accompany the ranchers, they are seen more frequently in grazing trials, as well as living in families as one more member.
The Australian Shepherd is a working animal, as it has abundant energy and needs to be busy with something all the time. For this reason, it excels in canine sports activities, such as "agility", "flyball" or "frisbee". They are also excellent as rescue and rescue dogs, as well as guide and therapy dogs.
Physical characteristics
His overall appearance varies greatly as it depends on the weight of his specific lineage. Australian Shepherd Dogs are classified according to whether they are for work or for show. The former have less hair, and their bone complexion can be small, medium or large; In contrast, those on show have thicker and whiter fur, as well as a heavier bone complexion.
They have a stocky body, with a broad chest. Its body is longer than it is tall and its legs are long and have a lot of fiber, capable of moving in the most intricate terrain. The head is broad and elongated, with almond-shaped eyes that can be brown, blue, amber, or any mixture of these colors. The ears have a triangle shape and are exhibited drooping. Its tail is straight and short. Its fur is of a medium length that can be blue merle, black, red merle and red.
According to the canine organization FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale), its height at the withers ranges from 51 to 58 centimeters in males, and from 46 to 53 in females, while its weight is between 25 and 29 kilograms in males. males and between 18 and 25 in females.
Behavior
The sheepdog is a dog that does not like to be alone for a long time, since it immediately gets bored, and can start doing certain things that it should not, such as damaging the furniture, as a result of boredom. Keep in mind that he can travel about 60 kilometers a day, which means that he has almost inexhaustible energy.
He likes to learn new things, and is always ready to do so. But he also loves to play with children, with whom he is usually very protective. The Australian Shepherd is an extremely intelligent, loyal, attentive and tender dog that will go crazy with joy if you take him for long walks, or if you start practicing any dog sport.
Something to always be alert to is that they tend to distrust strangers. But this can be easily solved: there is nothing that a canine treat cannot solve. If someone you don't know comes to the house, ask that person to give the dog a treat, thereby giving him confidence.
Care
If you are a dynamic person, the Australian Shepherd is undoubtedly one of your best companions, if not the best. As we have already indicated, if he is not exercised frequently, both physically and mentally, he can become a destructive and sorrowful dog. He requires time to be spent on a daily basis in order for his mood to remain stable.
Therefore, in addition to practicing some canine sports activity, at home you must also keep him entertained, either with toys that dispense food or that are interactive, with balls or ropes. A huge variety of dog toys are regularly available in pet stores. And, obviously, he should be brushed once or twice a day to keep his coat beautiful and tangle-free. Also, once a month it should be given a good bath to make it look neat.
How is your health?
The sheepdog has great resistance to diseases and adapts very easily, however, it can suffer from hip dysplasia, epilepsy, collie eye anomaly, nasal dermatitis caused by the sun, gradual retinal atrophy, deafness, blindness or gallstones. renal.
When you are ready to choose your puppy, find out from the breeder if the parents suffer from any of these health problems, as they could be hereditary. Despite this, if he is provided with a quality diet, lacking in grains, and is provided with a dignified and happy existence, the dog will spend every moment learning as much as possible while having fun.
Miniature Australian Shepherd
This variant of the Australian Shepherd was created based on the selective crossing of standard Australian Shepherds with others of smaller size. In this way, a dog was obtained whose weight varies from 11 to 19 kilograms and reaches a length of 38 to 45 centimeters. Otherwise, you have the same features as the standard.
Australian Shepherd vs Border Collie
This pair of breeds have many similarities, so it is important to know how they differ. Let's start with the physical traits of the Australian Shepherd:
- Colors: blackbird blue, blackbird red, red, tricolor red, tricolor blackbird, black, copper.
- Floppy ears.
- Size: length from 46 to 58 centimeters and weight from 25 to 30 kilograms
- Life expectancy: 15 years.
And the characteristics of the border collie are:
- Colors: black, blackbird blue, gray, speckled, blue, blackbird red, tricolor blackbird, brown, Australian red, sable.
- Ears: erect or semi-erect.
- Size: length from 46 to 53 centimeters and weight of about 20 kilograms
- Life expectancy: 17 years.
The Australian shepherd has a great protective instinct; it is also ideal as a sentinel and for the control of any kind of livestock; in contrast the border collie is an animal that directs the sheep from afar. Despite this, the two dogs require a kind family that wants to feel very loved by them, since they are very sweet, attentive, loyal and, particularly dynamic, which means that they need to go out to exercise daily.
If we refer to essential care (food, hygiene, training, vaccination, deworming) they are similar for both dogs. However, the Australian shepherd requires only one or two brushings a week while the border collie demands one or two brushings a day.
Common Names for the Australian Shepherd
If you have thought about buying or adopting one of these fabulous Australian Shepherds and do not know what name to call him, here are some suggestions:
Macho
- Arnold
- Bold
- Body
- Chambi
- Dyon
- Enzo
- Hulk
- Wolf
- Tyrion
- Valdo
Female
- Aisha
- Brisa
- Cleo
- Elsa
- friska
- Gina
- Ivy
- Isis
- Time
- Zaira
How to Buy a Sheepdog?
Do you dare to share your home with an Australian Shepherd? If so, the first thing you should do is investigate the conditions in which the Australian Shepherd puppy you intend to buy came into the world. Now is the time to select a reputable and professional breeder. You will know this when, being in the place, you can verify that:
- The facilities are hygienic.
- The animals are well cared for, with the drinkers and feeders cleaned and filled.
- Puppies must exhibit typical puppy behavior, that is, they must be dynamic, curious, and free of parasites.
- Those in charge must have answers to all your concerns and, on the proposed delivery date of the puppy, they will also provide you with their veterinary certificate and the documents that support their pedigree.
It is of great importance that you also understand that the puppies cannot be separated from the mother until they are at least two months old. If we do so, we can give rise to behavior problems in the dog, since his mother will not have been able to teach him the social rules that every dog must know and respect, such as regulating the intensity of the bite, or respecting "personal" space. of the others. The cost of an Australian Shepherd averages 600 euros.
Curiosities of the Australian Shepherd
- Throughout its expansion in the United States, the Australian Shepherd achieved great popularity performing stunts in rodeos thanks to its skills for the show and its friendliness.
- Although its official name is Australian Shepherd Dog, in Anglo-Saxon nations they are called Aussies, an affectionate nickname that is easy to pronounce and remember.
- These dogs have a lot of energy and are very oriented to grazing activity. If their needs are not met, they tend to herd children or even the adults they live with, a behavior that can be annoying if not corrected.
Other articles that may also be of interest to you are: