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| Photo: Twenty20 |
Origins and history
Although many theories exist about the origin of the Australian Shepherd, the breed developed exclusively in the United States. The name “Australian” was given to the breed by association with the sheepdogs that arrived in the United States from Australia in the 19th century.
In fact, its smaller “brother”, originally called the Miniature Australian Shepherd or Miniature Australian Shepherd Dog, was renamed the American Shepherd Dog.
His great popularity in the United States is due to the success of western-style horseback riding, as spectators got to know him at rodeos, horse shows or through movies and television shows. In Europe, it has been gaining popularity in recent years.
1-Physical characteristics of the Australian Shepherd
Australian Shepherd Dogs are well proportioned dogs, slightly longer than they are tall, of medium size and bone, with a solid constitution and muscularity without heaviness. The almond-shaped eyes may be brown, blue, amber and/or any combination of these colors. The ears are triangular, set high on the head, with relatively small auricles. When the dog is attentive, they fold forward. The tail is straight, naturally short or shortened: its length does not exceed 10 cm.
Hair: Medium textured and medium length, straight or slightly wavy, weather resistant. The amount of undercoat varies according to the season.
Color: blue merle, black, red merle, red. All these colors can be with or without white patches, with or without fawn patches.
Size: 51 to 58 cm for the male and 46 to 53 cm for the female.
Weight: 25 to 34 kg for the male and 19 to 26 kg for the female
Character and Abilities
Australian Shepherd Dogs are intelligent working dogs with a pronounced instinct for driving and guarding the herd. They are naturally good, stable dogs that rarely fight. They are very good companion dogs, suitable for many jobs and sports. It is also a sociable dog, which tolerates its fellow dogs very well and adapts well to a family life with children.
Affectionate: This dog has a very good character, he is very faithful to his masters and knows how to prove to them his great affection.
Playful: Of a very playful nature, this shepherd dog will delight young and old alike and will appreciate more than any play session to let off steam physically, sometimes mentally and specially to spend time with members of his social group.
Calm: This dog is bursting with energy and will find it difficult to stay put, especially if he is not spent enough. He will need regular outings and occupations to be fulfilled and therefore quiet at home.
Smart: Like any good self-respecting working dog, this Australian is a very intelligent dog and particularly receptive to his master’s demands.
This dog is very gifted for many disciplines and excels in agility, trackball, obedience and of course herding.
Naturally, he will also please a sheep or cattle breeder who needs canine help to guide his herd.
Hunter: This doggie is not a hunter for a penny, although he will be able to engage in small prey pursuits, especially if he is not socialized early enough with cats or other small pets.
However, this dog, predestined for herding, will prefer to herd animals together rather than chase them.
Fearful / distrustful of strangers: This sheepdog is quite sociable and friendly by nature, but can sometimes be reserved with strangers. Being a sheepdog, as its name suggests, the Australian Sheepdog will sometimes tend to protect its social group and may be suspicious, even virulent, if an intruder comes into contact with its master or if it senses a threat.
Independent: This shepherd is very close to his social group and independence is not part of his natural temperament.
However, he will be able to show initiative in his work, especially alongside sheep or cattle breeders, but on a daily basis, as a companion dog, this dog is very attached to his masters.
2-Behavior
Supports loneliness: A strong attachment to one’s social group can have advantages but also disadvantages, such as tolerating very little solitude and preferring to be surrounded rather than alone. It will therefore be necessary to accustom this dog from an early age to manage his masters’ absences with serenity, in particular by positive departures and by offering him playful activities to occupy him during his periods of solitude.
Easy to train / obedient: Like many sheepdogs, this Australian is a dog full of enthusiasm when it comes to responding to his master’s requests. However, his master must still offer him an education adapted to his sensitivity and respectful of the principles of positive education.
This companion will be very easy to train if the relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. In order to be educated, the education must be firm, coherent and offered early on.
This dog will be able to be stubborn but the precociousness of the various training and the reinforcement of the master/dog relationship will be the keys of a successful education and a harmonious cohabitation.
Barking: The Australian Shepherd may bark in certain situations, especially if, in the context of herding for example, he is unable to create the movement of the animals or if he finds the time a bit long when his masters are absent.
In other words, this doggie will be able to make himself heard if he doesn’t get what he wants, if he is very excited or if he is bored. However, this personality trait may vary according to the education he has received, the attitude of his masters but also the right answer to his needs.
Runaway: Like any self-respecting shepherd, this dog will prefer to stay with his social group, to guard it and interact with it rather than run away and see what’s going on elsewhere.
Nevertheless, if this doggie full of energy is not physically exhausted enough, he may find it worthwhile to go through the gate of the house to take a little walk.
Destroyer: Highly active and energetic, if not sufficiently stimulated, the Australian Shepherd could be destructive to compensate for his lack of expenditure. Moreover, as he doesn’t appreciate solitude, the dog could occupy his time and manage his frustration by chewing everything that passes under his nose.
Here again, a good education and a response adapted to the spending needs of this sheepdog will reduce or even totally eliminate the problems of destruction.
Greedy / glutton: This pet is a great gourmand who will never miss a good treat. This will be very appreciable for education because the food will be an incredible motivation to attract the dog’s attention and above all to maintain his concentration and his enthusiasm to listen.
In spite of this definite advantage, it will be necessary to take care to use the treats sparingly, to offer this wonderful doggie a quality food and to avoid feeding him outside of meals.
Watchdog:
Sheepdogs are, by definition, quite guardian because they are very close and protective of their social group. Despite the fact that this beloved Australian canine is not the most dissuasive of shepherds, he will still have at heart to protect his group.
First dog:
This dog, which has been very popular in France for a few years now, is very often the first dog that many masters adopt, very often for its physical qualities above all.
And even if this doggie proves to be a very good life companion, it is important to take into consideration his many spending needs and natural instincts to allow him to evolve in the most balanced and adapted way possible.
3-Living conditions
It is a very endearing dog to advise against first-time buyers and also people who are too sedentary because the Australian Shepherd Dog is active and needs to exercise. Having a garden at your disposal is therefore ideal, and offering him long hours of walks is indispensable. He is a very affectionate dog, sometimes invasive, who hates solitude. He needs a master who knows how to impose himself.
Australian Shepherd Dog in apartment:
This active and sporty dog does not appreciate solitude and is overflowing with energy. He will only endure life in an apartment if his owners are present and available to guarantee him a maximum of privileged moments of spending, games and leisure.
This dog will always be happiest with a garden but must, in any case, be taken outside every day to maintain his physical and psychological balance. Life in an apartment will therefore be very unsuitable for him, especially if his masters work all day long.
Need for exercise / sport:
Insatiable player, enduring worker and outstanding competitor, this dog is ideal for sporty and dynamic masters. This companion will only develop very little with sedentary or home-loving owners.
It will be necessary to take care to propose to this dear canine daily, regular outings rich in stimulation, whether physical, mental, olfactory or social.
Travel / Ease of transport:
With a good education, this medium-sized doggie will be able to accompany you everywhere without difficulty. However, it will be necessary to respect the sensitivity of this doggie who could have a hard time with crowd baths for example.
By car, it will be necessary to respect one of the three obligatory options for transportation:
1. In a transport cage
2. In the trunk with a partition grid
3. Belted
On the train, his size will force you to make him wear a muzzle and keep him on a leash. You will have to pay for his ticket, but be careful, you will not have an extra seat.
In the plane, your dog will have to travel in the hold in a transport crate that meets the safety standards of the airline company you have chosen.
4-Compatibility
The Australian Shepherd and the Cats:
If they are raised together from an early age, a dog and a cat can live together perfectly well. This shepherd dog will not have any difficulty getting along with a cat but will still have to respect its tranquility.
In spite of a good understanding with the house cat, it is possible that stray cats may be chased in the garden.
The Australian Shepherd Dog and Other Dogs:
This great player will often get along very well with other dogs. Despite the fact that this shepherd is not known to be a brawler, it will however be necessary to take care to offer him adapted, positive, controlled and thoughtful first encounters.
Thus, if he is socialized from a young age and if he gets along regularly with his fellow sheepdogs, this dog will be a very good playmate for his peers.
Beware, his great energy can sometimes be misinterpreted by certain dogs of a reserved nature.
The Australian Shepherd Dog and Children:
Playful, enthusiastic, friendly and jovial, the Australian Shepherd seems to be the perfect companion dog for a family with children.
Be careful all the same about the rules of life to be respected to guarantee a harmonious and secure cohabitation.
The Australian Shepherd Dog and the Elderly:
This dog, full of energy, being in constant demand of activities, rather sedentary elderly people might not be the ideal masters to assume such an animal.
Moreover, as this dog is very enduring and athletic, he will need a dynamic master who practices sports activities in which he can accompany him regularly.
5-Price
The price of an Australian Shepherd Dog varies according to its origins. It is necessary to count on average 600$ for a dog registered in the American kennel club. The highest lines can be sold up to 1800$. This price will also depend on the sex, the breeding, the origins and the age of the dog.
For the monthly budget, it will be necessary to count between 60$ and 90$ per month to support the Australian Shepherd Dog, by offering him a quality food and making sure to maintain him in good health.
Average life expectancy: about 13 years