Australian Shepherd Dog Breed

Below are the characteristics and traits of the Australian shepherd dog breed.

Australian shepherds are a medium to large sized dog breed. Their slender body allows them to excel at agility and makes them ideal for quickly corralling sheep. It is not uncommon to see miniaturized versions of the breed, however the Australian shepherd only comes in one standard size, so there is no guarantee that miniature aussies will have the same behavior or traits.

Aussies need leadership and if they can't find pack leadership qualities in their owners, they will assume the role. Because of this, it is important for owners to display confident leadership with Australian shepherds otherwise the dog may ignore your commands. The breed does well in family environments, but may attempt to corral wandering children back to their parents which can intimidate younger kids. The breed also does well with pets, but may attempt to herd them into a group due to the breed's instincts.

The breed sheds year round, but sheds heaviest after winter so brushing your aussie's coat daily is necessary to keep it free of detached hair and tangles. Australian shepherds have a waterproof coat which keeps them cleaner than most dogs, so they only need to be bathed when dirty. The breed is high energy and will need at least 45-60 minutes of dedicated exercise per day. Play time in the back yard will only work if the dog is playing a game which involves large amount of energy.

"Where are Australian shepherds from?" Though it seems obvious, if your answer is the land Down Under, you'd be incorrect. The Australian shepherd origin actually begins in the western United States in the mid-1800s, when livestock farmers there needed a breed capable of driving large herds. During that time, a lot of the U.S. livestock was imported from Australia--and the Aussie importers brought various Collie- and shepherd-type dog breeds with them on their trips to the States. It is believed that these breeds formed the foundation from which the Australian shepherd was developed (and is the reason this shepherd has "Australian" in its name).

To continue some Australian shepherd history: as the decades passed, the Aussie shepherd remained popular with cowboys in the Old West, particularly because of its ability to herd livestock (and also because it was fast enough to keep up with trotting horses!). Cut to the post-World War II years, when western horseback riding (and in turn, rodeos) became popular. Horseback and rodeo enthusiasts were amazed by the Aussie shepherd's natural abilities working alongside the cowboys--so the breed's popularity further skyrocketed. New Aussie shepherd owners everywhere also discovered that these dogs, in addition to their farming skills, made affectionate, enthusiastic, intelligent family pets.

Despite its nation- and worldwide adoration, the Australian Shepherd breed wasn't officially recognized by the American Kennel Club until 1993. A member of the AKC's Herding Group, the Aussie quickly shot up through the popularity ranks, and today is 16th out of 193 recognized AKC breeds.

The Australian shepherd is normally lean and rugged-looking, and its overall appearance is almost a cliche of a "cowboy dog."

The Australian shepherd's body is normally a bit greater in length than in height. It's head is wedge-shaped, and Australian shepherd ears are triangular, medium-length, and hanging. Australian shepherd eyes can be an assortment of colors: for the Australian shepherd, blue eyes are common--but brown, hazel, green, and amber are also possible. Also, for the Australian Shepherd eye color change exists--meaning the two eyes can be different colors, or even two colors "swirled" within one eye. Australian shepherds have tails with differing lengths too: An Australian shepherd with tail docked, Australian shepherd with long tail--the Australian Shepherd tail docking length varies depending on the puppy.

Australian shepherd coats have some variation as well, especially in color--but most Australian shepherd coat types are thick, medium-length, and double-layered.

Technically speaking, multiple Australian shepherd types do not exist. Though Australian shepherd miniature dogs are actually well-known, the Miniature Australian shepherd is not recognized by the United States Australian Shepherd Association, and can only be registered with the AKC as a separate, small Australian shepherd breed. Within the standard Australian shepherd breed, individual features like head size and leg length can vary some from dog to dog, but these are naturally occurring and do not signify a distinct sub-type.

While always fluffy, Australian shepherd hair or fur length can vary a bit, but for the most part these dogs have medium-length, double-layered coats. A short haired Australian shepherd--or at least one that appears to be so--is possible, especially for dogs living in warmer climates.

Again, the Australian shepherd toy dog is fairly popular, but is a completely separate breed. The "Minnie Australian Shepherd," as it's sometimes called, was developed starting in the 1960s by selectively breeding smaller standard Australian shepherd types. And these dogs are indeed smaller: Australian shepherd teacup or toy size averages 15 inches in height and 30 pounds in weight.

Super-intelligent, task-oriented, friendly, and at times a bit dominant, the Australian shepherd temperament is one of work mixed with with plenty of affection. Dogs of this breed are whip-smart, and are at their best when they have a job to do. Because of their history as livestock dogs, one of the keenest Australian shepherd personality traits is its work ethic. (In other words: the herding instinct is strong with this one, as Yoda would say.) With a lack of frequent stimulation of both mind and body, these dogs will become destructive and bark nonstop, and their herding instincts will make them try to "control" moving objects like people, animals, and bicyclists. The key to balancing Australian shepherd behavior, vets and breed experts say, is socialization in a variety of environments and situations.

"When do Australian shepherds calm down?" owners often ask. Australian shepherd puppy behavior is often that of hyperactivity during the dog's first couple of years of life. Usually after about 24 months, the Australian shepherd dog temperament is less active. Again, the key to maintaining the young Australian shepherd disposition is socialization: take your Aussie puppy to dog parks and to malls or stores that allow animals, and have the pup interact with a variety of people.

One of the most prized Australian shepherd characteristics is the breed's ease of training. These dogs are extremely willing to learn, and can understand tasks and commands with very few repetitions. Obedience training--well into an Aussie's adult years, according to experts--is a great way to channel the breed's busy mind and body.

Another excellent aspect of the Australian shepherd temperament: it's protective. These dogs are alert and curious, so they're great watchdogs, and will usually sound a loud (and frequent!) vocal alarm if they detect a potential threat.

Below are health issues and concerns most common in Australian Shepherds