All About The Breed: The Australian Shepherd

The Australian Shepherd, or Aussie as it is sometimes called

, is a dog with an interesting past. Perhaps the most interesting fact is that they are not Australian at all! The breed actually has its origins in the Pyrenees Mountains somewhere between Spain and France. Basque shepherds originally brought these dogs to Australia, and when their descendents immigrated to America in the 1800s they took their dogs with them.

It was from that point that the breed acquired the name Australian Shepherd, having previously been known as the Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bobtail, and the Blue Heeler.

These extremely intelligent, enthusiastic, people-loving dogs make excellent pets - for the right owner. That owner needs to be an active, outdoor person who is prepared to give the dog the physical exercise it demands. An Aussie lives to work, and one that is under-exercised, and under-stimulated mentally, soon develops behavioral problems.

The need to herd is still strong in this breed and you may notice that the dog tries to herd everyone within range, friends, family and other pets included!

Australian Shepherds are naturally protective, and will defend their home and those close to them. Around strangers they can seem withdrawn and wary, but this in not timidity. In fact, they are generally confident and self-assured dogs.

This is a dog with a real love of life. They want to be at the center of all activities and can be quite demanding of attention. The worst thing you can do to an Australian Shepherd is to ignore him, and if you are not prepared to give your dog lots of attention it may be wise to consider another breed.

But if you're looking for a real buddy to share in all your adventures, this dog may be the one for you. They are exceptionally easy to train and they particularly love competing, so canine sports like disc dog, advanced obedience and, especially, agility will be a real treat - both for you and the dog.

When training your dog, use a positive method that is proven to deliver results - something like clicker training. You'll be rewarded wiith a happy, fulfilled and balanced dog, and just think how impressed your family will be when they see the amazing things your dog is capable of.

The Australian Shepherd is a healthy dog breed, but like all purebred dogs it does suffer from a number of inherited conditions. These include back problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Median lifespan for the breed is 12 to 14 years.

by: Gary Walker

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