Australian Shepherd


The Australian Shepherd: Super Sheepdog

Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd has a somewhat misleading name. The breed in fact originated in the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain. The reference to Australia is probably due to its association with Basque Shepherds who brought the breed to America from Australia in the 1800′s.

Whatever its origins, the Aussie Shepherd is a hard-working, agile, and adaptable dog who loves being kept busy. They are excellent herders and, because of their intelligence and versatility, they also excel at dog sports like agility, obedience and herding.

Aussies can be black, blue merle, red merle or red – with or without white markings.

If you’re thinking of getting an Australian Shepherd you should be aware that they are highly active dogs and need vigorous daily exercise. They are somewhat reserved with strangers, but definitely enjoy the company of their family.

For grooming, a weekly brush down should suffice, while training should be a breeze. These guys love to learn and are quick to pick up on commands.

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD FACT FILE

Group: Herding
Country of origin: United States
Date of origin: 1800′s
Originally bred for: Herding sheep
Current function: Sheep herding /Herding trials
Size: Large
Coat length: Medium
Shedding: Yes
Grooming requirements: Once a week
Town or Country: Country
Ideal home: Large house
Minimum garden size: Large
Exercise requirements: At least 2 hours per day
Lifespan: Over 10 years

If you enjoyed this page on the Australian Shepherd, check out some of the other dog breed links below.

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