Australian Shepherd

Australian shepherds love to move, but, as one owner points out, when they are puppies, they seem to hop rather than run. At 1-2 months, their ears stand up, with the ends lopping forward, forming the so-called Aussie ears, and their eyes, dark violet at first, gradually lighten to blue or amber. Despite its name, the Australian shepherd, which resembles the border collie, was first bred in the United States. However, its lineage is not clear. It may be the offspring of a dog. European immigrants crossed with a sheepdog from Australia, or it may be descended directly from a dog from Down Under, and some people believe it carries the blood of the Australian wild dog, the dingo.

Aussies are herding dogs, and very skilled ones. Even today, they work in the United States as cattle dogs. Tough, energetic, and highly trainable, they require a lot of physical activity.

These observant dogs have a knack for being in tune with their owners’ thoughts, and they are deeply affectionate toward their owners and those they perceive as being part of the owners’ families. And, although they are highly territorial, Australian shepherd bark sparingly, though many of them like to “chat.”

Use a hard brush for grooming, and note that their coats tend to form clumps of hair (which they may try to eat when they shed, so clean up carefully).

Origin : United Stated
Size : (male) Height 20-23 inches; Weight 50-65 pounds
(female) Height 18-21 inches; Weight 35-50 pounds
Coat : Straight or wavy, undercoat seasonally change density. Feathering on neck, chest, and forelegs prominent in males. Color include red merle, blue merle, red and black, all of which may include white markings or tan points.