| AKC Group: | Herding |
| A.K.A.: | Aussie |
| Functions: | Herding, Competition, Search & Rescue, Dogs for the Blind, Therapy, Drug Detecti |
| Year of Origin: | 1800s |
| Country of Origin: | United States |
| Life Span (yr): | 12 - 15 |
| Colors: | Black, Blue merle, Red merle, Red |
| Height (Inch): | 18 - 23 |
| Weight (lb): | 40 - 65 |
| Size: | Medium |
| Hair Length: | Long |
| Energy: |  |
| Playfulness: | |
| Ease of Training: | |
| Exercise Needed: | |
| Self Protection: |  |
| Grooming: |  |
| Shedding: | |
| Watch Dog: | |
| Living Area: | |
Appearance:
The Australian Shepherd has a beautiful face and a strong, lean body. His head is sleek and powerful. It is very well-proportioned to his body. His muzzle narrows to a rounded end where his dark nose sits. He has a deeply attentive expression that shows his willingness to obey, his alertness, and his desire for friendship. His almond-like eyes can be a variety of colors from brown to blue or even amber. The rims of his eyes can be black or brown, depending on the color of his coat. The ears of the Australian Shepherd are located high upon his head. They are shaped like moderately sized triangles.
Temperament:
The Australian Shepherd is clearly a smart and lively breed of dog. He is very even-keeled and has a great disposition. He is rarely aggressive, but he may be rather reserved upon a first encounter. He is not known to be shy, fearful, or hostile. In fact, the opposite is true. The Australian Shepherd is loving towards children, even those children that are quite active. He has a watchful side and will try to protect his family. When he is working with the farm animals – he may nip at them to direct them – he must tow a hard line to bet them to obey him and he is relentless while doing so.
Health:
The Australian Shepherd is a beautiful breed of dog; however, like nearly all breeds, he suffers from a few genetic conditions that may or may not be passed on to him. If he is graced with a spectacular merle coat, he may likely carry a gene for deafness. Consequently, merle puppies must have their hearing checked. And, it is beneficial to know the hearing test results for the puppy’s parents. If the Australian Shepherd has parents with natural bobtails, then it may be common for the puppy to have severe defects with his spine. Cataracts are also common. They can lead to blindness and can occur in one or in both eyes.
Maintenance:
The Australian Shepherd does not take a lot of effort to groom and maintain. He should be brushed on a regular basis with a brush that has firm bristles. He only needs to be bathed when his owner deems it appropriate. Over bathing can dry out his skin and fur and lead to other problems down the road. The Australian Shepherd loves to get out and about and stay active. He is happiest when he can exercise his mind and his body. Challenges are great for the Australian Shepherd, as he is an intelligent breed who enjoys them. His owner must take him on a long walk every day to prevent destructive behavior.