Australian Shepherd
| Name | Value |
|---|---|
| Popularity | 8/10  |
| Official Name | Australian Shepherd |
| Common Name | Aussie, Ausssie |
| Lifespan | 12–15 years years |
| Weight | 16–32 kg, 35–70 pounds (males); 14–29 kg, 30–65 pounds (females) |
| Height | 46–58 cm, 18–23 inches (males); 43–53 cm, 17–21 inches (females) |
| Coat Type | Medium-haired |
| Trainability | Highly Trainable |
| Activity | High-Energy |
| Vocalization | Quiet and Vocal |
| Colors | Black, red, blue merle, red merle, with or without white and tan markings |
| Adaptability | Outdoor/Working |
| Hypoallergenic | NO |
| Origin | United States |
Overview
The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent, energetic, and versatile working dog known for its strong herding instincts and loyalty. Despite its name, the breed was developed in the United States and excels in various roles, including ranch work, agility competitions, and as a devoted family companion.
Health
Australian Shepherds are generally healthy but may be prone to conditions such as hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), and epilepsy. Regular vet check-ups, a balanced diet, and proper exercise are essential for maintaining their health.
History
Instead of its name identifying it as a western United States breed of dog; the Australian Shepherd breed was discovered in western United States of America during the 19th century. It is believed that Basque shepherds brought the formerly uncatalogued dogs to Australia first before they eventually showed up to the United States and into Australian territory where the breed is believed to have evolved into something similar to what is known today. Due to their intelligence and versatility the breed became in high demand as working dogs on ranches and small farms around the world owing to their ability to find out often hidden stray dogs amongst a herd and their intelligence to quickly adapt to new situations that were put in to test the breed abilities based on their short aptitude for several tasks on the job slate and strengths they were known for.
Facts
Despite their name, Australian Shepherds were not originally bred in Australia but got their name because of their association with Basque shepherds who emigrated from Australia to the U.S.
This breed is often referred to as "ghost-eyed" when they have heterochromia (different colored eyes) or blue eyes, which is relatively common in merle-coated Aussies.
Australian Shepherds are one of the most popular breeds for dog sports like agility, flyball, and obedience trials due to their athleticism and trainability.
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