Australian Shepherd Dogs

21. Jan, 2010 2 Comments

Quick Stats for Australian Shepherd Dogs

Height (at the shoulders): dogs 20 – 23 inches (52 – 58 cm) ; bitches 18 – 21 inches (46 – 53 cm
Weight: dogs 50 – 65 pounds (25 – 29 kg) ; bitches 40 – 55 pounds (18 – 25 kg)
Life Expectancy: 12 – 15 years
AKC Group: Herding Group – recognized in 1991
Shedding: average shedder
Living Conditions: not recommended for apartment life; moderately active indoors; large yard recommended

Personality of Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd is a courageous, loyal, loving, smart, and energetic dog belonging to the AKC Herding Group. They are medium sized with an athletic build. They have amazing agility and are capable of working hard all day without a decrease in their stamina or their speed.

Australian Shepherds were bred as guardians of livestock. Today, they still have that built in drive to herd.

Aussies thrive on human contact and are not meant for just sitting around all day. They can be very playful with members of their family, and are super with children. But they can also be an excellent watchdog.

They are usually friendly towards other dogs and pets, but they are reserved and wary of strangers.

History of Australian Shepherd Dogs

Contrary to its name, the Australian Shepherd is not actually an Australian breed. The exact origin of the breed is unclear, but they made their way to the United States from Australia, where they were used to herd sheep.

One theory suggests that they originated with the Basque people of Europe. These people settled in Australia and took their herding dogs with them. Somewhere along the line, they were given the name, Australian Shepherd, as a result of their new location and their type of work.

The Australian Shepherd did quite well at herding, especially considering the harsh conditions and rough terrain that they had to work in. They were crossed with various other breeds, but they remained low key. During the 1950s, these dogs gained some popularity, largely because they were seen in various trick shows, and in some movies.

Today, the Australian Shepherd dog breed is still used as a sheep herder. They can often be seen in herding trials.

The American Kennel Club officially recognized the breed in 1991.

Australian Shepherd Care and Grooming

Australian Shepherds can tolerate both hot and cool temperatures. Their ideal living situation is to allow the Aussies access to a safely enclosed space during the day and let them sleep indoors at night.

These dogs require physical and mental stimulation in the form of daily vigorous exercise. They need a long walk, a jog, or a run. If you like you can have them run beside you while you ride your bike. They can become restless if not given enough exercises.

Because they are very intelligent and easily trained, they are excellent candidates for advanced obedience training and competition.

The Aussie’s coat is easy to groom and does not require much attention. Use a firm bristle brush to brush their thick coats. Bathe them only when necessary.

These dogs are average shedders.