The Australian Shepherd in breed portraitThe Australian Shepherd is a slender ranch dog. He came by way of Australia. California to Europe. The Australian Shepherd is an integral part of rodeos. Thus, closely associated with the cowboy's life.
Brief profile
Breed: Australian Shepherd
Origin: Western United States
Temperament: friendly, affectionate, intelligent, active, protective
Size (height at withers): 51 – 58 cm (male), 46 – 54 cm (female)
Weight: 25 – 32 kg (male), 16 – 25 kg (female)
Life expectancy: 13-15 years
FCI Classification: Group 1: Herding dogs and cattle dogs (without Swiss Mountain Dogs) , Section 1: Sheepdogs
The Australian Shepherd, the preferred herding dog of the cowboys, is a medium sized dog. The Australian Shepherd's coat offers a variety of appearances, including merle (a speckled pattern with contrasting shades of blue or red). Australian Shepherds show a strong urge to herd, no matter what: birds, dogs, children.
The Australian Shepherd is intelligent and capable of outsmarting an unsuspecting, inexperienced owner. In short, he is not the right pet for everyone. However, if you are looking for a smart partner for work or sports, he could be the right one.
The Australian Shepherd descends from the best dog herders of Europe. The Australian Shepherd's journey began in Europe, in the mountains of the Pyrenees. In the border area between France. Spain, the Basques had built their reputation as world-class shepherds. Their favorite herding dog was the Pyrenean Shepherd, the ancestor of our modern Australian Shepherd.
In the early 1800s, Australia's English emigrants began pushing into the continent's vast interior in search of pastureland for cattle ranching. Eventually, many Basques sailed east with their faithful shepherd dogs in tow to try their luck on the Australian continent, a sprawling paradise for sheepherders.
During their stay in Australia, the Basque Shepherd Dogs refined their dogs by selective crossbreeding with the British imports of Australia, including Collies and Border Collies. After establishing their herds, the Basques left Australia in search of greener pastures and sailed to California.
Californian ranchers admired Basque herding dogs and thought they were an Australian breed, hence the misleading name Australian Shepherd. The Australian Shepherds, which were bred further perfected in America, are since then a firm component of the cowboy culture. Many of them still happily herd in the American West, others make their living as rodeo performers, and still other Australian Shepherds work as therapy dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, service dogs, and search and rescue dogs.
Liability insurance (also for listed dogs)
In many states, liability insurance for dogs is mandatory. It is advisable in any case. At AMICANDO, we insure every breed of dog, including your dog!
Australian Shepherds were bred to be tough with livestock. Therefore, if you don't give them confident leadership, they will take the dominant role in the house. They are the wrong choice for first-time dog owners or shy owners.
As with many herding dogs, the Australian Shepherd is naturally loyal to his family but reserved with strangers. They need early socialization and contact with many different people when they are young.
Socialization will help your Australian Shepherd puppy grow into a well-rounded dog. Participation in a puppy class is a good start. By regularly inviting visitors and taking them to busy parks, stores where dogs are allowed, and on walks, you can improve your dog's social skills.
Australian Shepherds are generally a healthy breed of dog, but like all dog breeds, they are prone to certain diseases. Not all Australian Shepherds get one or more of the diseases listed below.
If you buy an Australian Shepherd puppy, you should look for a good breeder who will provide you with the health certificates of both parents.
The following diseases can occur in an Australian Shepherd:
– Hip Dysplasia – Elbow Dysplasia – Epilepsy – Deafness – Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA) – Cataracts – Distichiasis – Collie Eye Anomaly (CEA) – Persistent Pupillary Membranes (PPM) – Hypothyroidism – Allergies – Cancer – Nasal Solar Dermatitis – Detached Retina
It doesn't take much time to make an Australia Shepherd look beautiful. Occasional baths and weekly brushing to remove dead hair will keep him looking great. His nails should be trimmed at least once a month. Clean your Australian Shepherd's ears regularly to remove excess earwax, which can cause ear infections.
Generally, weekly brushing keeps the Australian Shepherd's waterproof, double-layered coat looking nice. However, more work is required during the shedding season. During this time, a special brush can be used every two or three days to remove the many dead hairs, followed by a post-cleaning with the wire brush. Australian Shepherds often play outdoors, so it's not uncommon for them to come back dirtier than they left. But unless they get into a particularly messy situation, they only need an occasional bath.
A quality dog food, which corresponds to the age of the dog (puppy, adult or senior), contains all the nutrients that this breed of dog needs. Leftovers can cause indigestion and please avoid cooked bones and foods with high fat content.
How much your adult Australian Shepherd eats depends on his size, age, body type, metabolism and activity level. Dogs are individuals, just like humans, and they don't all need the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that a very active dog will need more than a couch potato.
Generally, the recommended daily amount is 1.5 to 2.5 cups of (high-quality) dry food per day, divided into two meals.
The quality of the dog food you buy also makes a difference. The better the dog food is, the better it will feed your dog and the less it will need.
The Australian Shepherd is an energetic, athletic dog that needs a lot of exercise. He should have at least a large, fenced garden where he can run around for one to two hours a day. In general, Australian Shepherds are closely bonded with their owners and love to accompany you on walks, or even better, on hikes. Once an Australian Shepherd is past puppyhood, it can be a great running companion. However, it is best to give the Australian Shepherd a job, whether it is herding livestock, herding children, or participating in dog competitions. Early socialization. Puppy training are important. In addition, ongoing obedience training will help the puppy grow into an adaptable and well-mannered dog.
Australian Shepherds have a strong attachment to their families and can therefore be territorial and protective of their owners' property, and they can become destructive if they are too often without companionship for long periods of time. Fortunately, this loyalty combined with their keen intelligence makes. The high energy of this dog breed they are very easy to train. Australian Shepherds are herding dogs. Many consider children as part of their "herd". Therefore, you must teach your Australian Shepherd that chasing and biting children for herding is not allowed. Once they learn this lesson, Australian Shepherds make wonderful companions for families with children.
Australian Shepherds can also get along with other pets, although they may try to herd them. This may not go over well, especially with cats. Keep an eye on your Australian Shepherd when other pets are around until he learns that they are not part of his herd.