Meet The Australian Shepherd 

The Australian Shepherd, often affectionately called the “Aussie,” is a breed that combines striking looks with a sharp intellect and vibrant energy. Originating from the western U.S. rather than Australia, these dogs were bred for their herding prowess and quickly became a favorite among ranchers and farmers. Known for their multi-colored coats, including blue merle, red merle, and black and white, and piercing blue or multi-colored eyes, Australian Shepherds are as beautiful as they are agile and smart.

Their intelligence and trainability make them excellent candidates for various dog sports, including obedience, agility, and flyball. Despite their energy and drive, Aussies are intensely loyal to their families, making them superb companions as well as working dogs. For those considering an Australian Shepherd, understanding their need for regular exercise and mental stimulation is crucial. This introduction aims to delve into the fascinating world of the Aussie, showcasing why they continue to capture hearts worldwide.

Happy New Year! Like many of you, we’re still getting used to writing 2024 on things. One of the first things on our agenda for this year is celebrating a very special dog: the Australian Shepherd. This amazing pup has his own day to shine: January 9th is Aussie Day! A local Peterborough, ON vet goes over some basic breed information about Fido in this article.

Australian Shepherd Breed Basics

Strong, loyal, and very, very smart, the Aussie is a working dog. Fido is part of the AKC’s Herding Group, which also includes some high-performing dogs, such as the German Shepherd and Corgi. The Aussie usually weighs between 40 and 65 pounds, and can be up to 22 inches high. With good care, Fido can live about 12 to 15 years.

What Kind Of Temperament Do Australian Shepherds Have?

Fido is a working dog at heart, and has a built-in affinity for herding. In fact, he may even try to herd his humans! Aussies are incredibly smart, and often make the list of the most intelligent dogs. They are very active, and need lots of exercise and stimulation. This is not the dog for someone who wants a calm couch potato for a pet. These pups are friendly but protective, and are very driven to please their humans. Fido absolutely loves going for walks with his humans. Once he’s fully grown, he also makes a good jogging buddy.

What Are The Grooming Needs Of An Aussie Shepherd?

Fido is about medium on the beauty care needs scale. You’ll need to brush your pooch about once a week to get dead hair out of his fur. (Note: Aussies have double layered coats.) However, your canine pal will shed quite heavily about twice a year. You’ll need to use a special brush, known as an undercoat rake, during those wardrobe changes. You’ll also need to brush your pet a bit more than usual during shedding season. Aussies are prone to wax buildup, so you’ll need to clean your pup’s ears. Aside from that, you’ll need to occasionally bathe your pooch, and keep up with his nail trims.

Are Australian Shepherds Healthy?

For the most part, Aussies are healthy and hardy. We do recommend hip and elbow evaluations, as well as ophthalmologist evaluations.

It is worth noting that recent studies on the canine genome divided our four-legged pals into groups. Aussie was assigned to the UK Rural Clade, which also includes the Collie, Shetland Sheepdog, and Border Collie. Many of the dogs in that group carry the MDR1 mutation, which has been linked to ivermectin sensitivity. Eye problems are also not uncommon. Ask your vet for specific advice.

How Active Is The Australian Shepherd?

In a word? Very. The Australian Shepherd is known for being extremely agile and athletic, and is always on the go. Because they are so active, they do best in homes with large, fenced yards. These dogs also excel in various sports, such as agility, obedience, dock diving, or flyball. Given their high energy levels and space requirements, Australian Shepherds may not be the best choice for apartment living. If you’re looking for a dog better suited to smaller spaces, you might want to check out our article on What Dog Is Best for an Apartment?

What Does The Australian Shepherd Excel At?

Aussies are extremely smart, which makes them a great dog for many fields and jobs. Herding is of course Fido’s original career, but it’s by no means his only option. Aussies also excel in many modern fields, and may be found working as Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Of course, they can also make great pets!

Training For The Australian Shepherd

Proper training and socialization are important for all dogs, but they are particularly crucial for active, high-energy pups like the Aussie. When Aussies are rehomed, it is usually because of either a lack of exercise, a lack of training, or both. Fido gets very attached to his humans, but he can be territorial and possessive. He also can get destructive if he gets bored or lonely.

Ask your vet for specific care tips.

Plot Twist: Fido Isn’t Australian

It’s not uncommon for breeders to name their pups after the region they originated in. There are numerous examples of this, such as the German Shepherd, Labrador Retriever, and Bouvier des Flandres, who will have his own special day on the 16th. So, it just stands to reason that the Australian Shepherd is from Australia, right?

As it turns out, not so much. Fido is actually an American dog, whose first job was helping cowboys. He was particularly skilled at herding sheep, and came into his own in Western American states such as Colorado, California, and Wyoming.

The Australian Shepherd’s history, as you can probably already tell, is a bit confusing. To go back to the beginning, we have to look at the Conquistadors who came to the New World in the 1500’s. Some of those settlers were shepherds from Basque, which is a small but culturally unique region between France and Spain. They took their dogs to both Australia and the United States. They also brought sheep with them. (Fun fact: many of those sheep were Merinos, a breed whose wool was so valued that taking them out of Spain was punishable by death. 

At some point, Germans crossed their own sheep with the Merino, and then took the wooly progeny to the American West. Those dogs are described as yellow, black, or tan pooches with a wolf-like appearance. It’s likely that Fido’s family tree also includes the Carea Leonés, a small, active sheepdog from Spain. There are no records of the Careas coming to the U.S., but their remarkable resemblance to the Aussie seems unlikely to be coincidental. Fast forward a few hundred years. In the U.S., the Gold Rush sparked a need for sheep. This in turn led to the arrival of imported sheepdogs, many of which were Collies. The rest, as they say, is history.

Was The Aussie A Rodeo Dog?

By the twentieth century, Fido was a renowned rodeo dog who wowed crowds with his herding skills and charmed them by doing tricks. In fact, rodeo star Jay Lister is credited with the Aussie’s rise to popularity in the 1900’s. He brought Fido on the rodeo circuit, where the pup’s affinity for performing tricks helped win him hearts across the country … and later, opened the doors for his popularity as a pet. He was officially recognized by the AKC in 1991.

What Is The Aussie Stare?

Aussies are renowned for their stares, which are sometimes called the ‘Aussie death stare.’ This is just one of the many tactics these dogs learned to use when herding animals. It is not unusual for them to have heterochromia, or different colored eyes, which only adds to their striking appearance. Fido’s eyes may be brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green, or any combination. In fact, some Aussies have multiple colors within one eye. Many of these dogs have striking pale blue eyes. Native Americans called them “ghost eye dogs” and considered them sacred.

What Color Is The Aussie Shepherd?

They can wear several pretty colors and patterns, including black, red, and merle, which is a pretty dappled or mottled pattern, and may have lighter points or tips.

Does The Australian Shepherd Bark A Lot?

Fido isn’t the quietest dog on the block. Barking was very important to his early role as a herding dog, and he hasn’t yet outgrown his tendency to vocalize.

Are Australian Shepherds Good Family Dogs?

Though Fido is very active, he still has that exuberant doggy joy we all love. Aussies can make excellent pets. They enjoy playing with kids, and usually do well with other pets.

What Other Name Does The Australian Shepherd Go By?

Fido has certainly collected lots of ribbons and trophies. He’s also picked up quite a few nicknames! These pooches are also known as Spanish Shepherds), Pastor Dogs, Bob-Tails, New Mexican Shepherds, and California Shepherds.

Why Do Aussies Have Short Tails?

Another interesting thing about Fido? He doesn’t always have much of a tail to wag. About one in five Aussies are born with short tails. Some have no tails at all. This isn’t a coincidence: ranchers selected the pups with this abnormality for breeding, because it was safer for the pups doing herding work.

Australian Shepherd in 2024: Managing Separation Anxiety and Living Requirements

How do Australian Shepherds handle being left alone/separation anxiety?

Australian Shepherds are highly active and intelligent dogs that thrive on companionship and activity. When left alone for extended periods without proper training or mental and physical stimulation, they can develop separation anxiety. This may manifest as destructive behavior or excessive barking. Early socialization, consistent training, and ensuring they have enough exercise can help mitigate anxiety. Providing toys and puzzles that stimulate their minds can also reduce stress when they are alone. However, due to their need for interaction, they are not ideal for owners who are away frequently.

How do Australian Shepherds perform as therapy dogs?

Australian Shepherds excel as therapy dogs due to their intelligence, strong desire to please, and protective nature. Their ability to learn quickly and adapt to new environments makes them ideal for therapeutic settings, where they can assist individuals with diverse needs. These dogs’ active disposition requires regular exercise, but it also means they can handle the physical demands of therapy work. As highly trainable and sociable animals, Australian Shepherds often thrive in roles that involve interaction and support, providing comfort and assistance to those in therapeutic programs.

What is their suitability for first-time dog owners?

Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and active, requiring consistent training and ample exercise. They thrive in environments where they can engage in physical activities and mental stimulation. Given their herding instincts, they may attempt to herd children and other pets, necessitating clear, early socialization and training to manage these behaviors. Their high energy and exercise needs, along with their grooming requirements, make them less suitable for first-time dog owners who may not be prepared for the commitment needed to keep these dogs healthy and well-adjusted.

What are the specific health clearances that should be requested from breeders?

When considering an Australian Shepherd, prospective owners should request health clearances from breeders for hip and elbow evaluations and ophthalmologist evaluations. These tests help identify potential genetic conditions common in this breed, such as hip dysplasia and eye disorders. Additionally, because Australian Shepherds can carry the MDR1 mutation, which affects medication sensitivity, it is advisable to check for this genetic marker to ensure proper medical care can be administered safely.

How do they perform in apartment living?

Australian Shepherds are highly active and athletic dogs requiring ample space and regular exercise to thrive. Their energetic nature and historical role as working herders make them less suitable for apartment living. These dogs benefit from access to large, fenced yards where they can expend their energy. While adaptable, the confined spaces of an apartment may not meet their physical and mental stimulation needs, potentially leading to behavior issues. For those in smaller living spaces, considering a different breed better suited to limited areas is advisable.

Do you have questions about caring for an Aussie? Contact us, your local Peterborough, ON pet hospital, today!