The Australian Shepherd has been a favorite breed for decades. The breed’s name is fairly misleading, as the breed was developed in North America rather than Australia.
These shepherds were bred to be aggressive herding dogs, uninhibited at herding cattle in unfamiliar terrain in America’s “Wild West” days.
While it is unclear where the breed’s name came from, it is likely that it arose from the breed’s popularity with the many ranchers who immigrated to the western US from Australia.
In the 1950s, the breed gained new popularity by being featured as performing dogs in rodeos. Since that time, the Australian Shepherd has also been featured in a number of Disney films such as “Run Appaloosa Run.”
Australian Shepherds were originally bred to withstand the environment of the Western US, and can tolerate arid climates with extremes of both hot and cold temperatures.
Like other herding breeds, this shepherd loves to be active outdoors and is usually good at such activities as Frisbee, catch, and dog agility. Their strong legs make them fast runners and great at jumping high, sometimes as high as four feet!
The breed has a natural tendency to be reserved, but does have a strong guarding instinct, making them prone to chase or nip.
These behaviors can be revised if the animal is properly trained, and the behavior may be less prevalent in those animals that have been bred specifically for a family environment.
Be Prepared for the Barking
In addition, Australian Shepherds have a tendency to bark when protecting their property.
My neighbor got an Australian Shepherd a few years ago and she barked constantly up until she was about 2 years old. This usually occurred when the owners weren’t home to give her attention.
Australian Shepherds are Protective
While these dogs do not have a tendency to be aggressive, they are very protective of their owners and may not take kindly to strangers.
The ideal owner for this breed is active and loves the outdoors. They have a strong desire to please, and are highly trainable. Because of this, the breed is also popular as a working dog, working with search and rescue teams, and also as guide and therapy dogs.
The Australian Shepherd typically has a long coat, which requires almost daily brushing and monthly grooming. The ears also should be cleaned several times a week, as they are prone to collecting dirt, which may lead to infection.
The breed also is known for numerous health problems, including back and hip issues, vision problems, and problems with the pancreas, bladder, and urinary tract. Many dogs of this bread are epileptic.
All dog breeds have specific health issues for their type so this may or may not be discouraging to you.
Learn more about his amazing canine at the AKC site. They have tons of info and resources for further research.