The Australian Shepherd
Overview
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized working dog that, despite its name, originated in the western United States in the mid-nineteenth century. Aussies, as they are often known, are highly intelligent and very energetic dogs that excel at canine sports, and are widely used throughout the emergency services in roles, such as search and rescue, drugs and explosives detection, and as therapy dogs.
About & History
The breed as we know it today first emerged in the western United States,
particularly in Colorado, around the time of the Gold Rush of the 1840s. The
reasons for its name remain unclear to this day, with some suggesting it
relates to the merle coat colour, often seen in cross-bred and other pedigrees
commonly found in Australia. Another theory is that Spanish migrants to the
US brought their native dogs with them, but followed a circuitous migratory
path through Australia; hence the misnomer.
To add further confusion to the debate, genetic analysis indicates that the Australian Shepherd is in fact most closely related to the Border Collie, and was derived from British collie stock by selecting dogs that were most tolerant of the harsh climate and high altitude of the Rocky Mountains. Whatever the case, the Aussie has long been a favoured farm dog in these regions for its obedience and skill in herding a wide range of livestock. Its innate cleverness allows it to herd cattle, sheep, and even farmed rabbits with equal skill.
Long after the breed was well established in its working role, a surge in its popularity in the entertainment industry, from rodeo riding to appearances in Hollywood blockbusters, brought it to the attention of the general public, and Australian Shepherd numbers have climbed steadily in the United States since the 1940s as a result. Despite its long history, the breed was only officially recognised by the major kennel clubs in the 1990s.
Appearance
The Australian Shepherd is a nimble, athletic dog that is well-built without being bulky. Many individuals have striking markings, extending even to the colouration of their eyes. They are ever alert and keen, and marked sexual dimorphism exists, with bitches being clearly more refined in build and character.
The breed has a very “natural” head, without exaggeration of any feature. The skull is slightly rounded, with a moderate stop between forehead and muzzle, which are of approximately equal length. The lips sit close to the teeth, and are variably pigmented, as are the nasal cartilage and eyelids. The eyes are almond-shaped and sit somewhat obliquely. The pigmented irises can be any one or a combination of brown, blue, or amber. The eyes may be different in colour to each other, a feature known as heterochromism, and they may also be flecked or “marbled” with pigment. The triangular ears sit high on the head, and are usually held semi-erect and forward facing.
​
​
​
Character & Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog that longs to work. Deprived of a job, it will invent one for itself, whether it is chasing passing cars or herding the children. Aussies will “glue” themselves to their owners as much as possible, twisting and winding their way around their feet. A well-exercised Aussie is a joy to spend time with, as he has an innate understanding of his owner’s emotions and intentions, and is highly responsive. The breed is endowed with a strong territorial instinct, and is aloof or suspicious in its dealings with strangers, so most individuals make very good guard dogs. They can tend to be nervous around those they do not know, and may bite when unsettled, so should be socialised as much as possible. They are usually very good with children, though as with most dogs, may resent rough handling by the very young.
Without adequate exercise and stimulation, a rather different dog emerges, showing signs of frustration and hyperactivity that are often very difficult to manage. If an Aussie feels his owner is either not providing the opportunities for exercise or confident leadership that he requires, he may attempt to assume the position of top dog for himself, and this can lead to very unpleasant situations within the home. This is a wonderfully rewarding breed to own, but only on the understanding that it needs time and energy in return for its loyalty and affection.
​
​
The neck and back are strong and muscular, not overly broad, but with a flat and firm lumbar region. The forelimbs are angular and well laid back, and the breed has reasonably heavy boning. The hip and stifle of the hindlimb are also well angulated, and the overall shape of the body exudes agility and power.
The coat can vary in thickness in response to climatic variations, but is generally quite dense, with a coarse outer layer of medium-length hair, and a denser, soft undercoat. The breeds colouration and markings can vary widely, with the following patterns accepted:
-
Black
-
Red
-
Blue merle
-
Red merle
All colours may feature white or tan markings. Males average 20–23 inches in height at the withers, and should weigh between 59–66 lb. Females are usually 18–21 inches tall, and weigh 45–55 lb.
Trainability
Australian Shepherds are very quick to learn, and will happily and easily pick up new tricks and commands. Again, exercise is crucial to their ability to focus and commit to training, and flyball and agility classes provide ideal settings to stimulate body and mind. They will find repetitive training dull and uninteresting, so owners must be prepared to provide variety and ample praise when attempting to teach new behaviours.
​
An Aussie will enjoy being given chores to do, and with a little imagination and a small amount of effort can even contribute to keeping a tidy home. Dogs displaying herding behaviour toward children or other pets need to be taught this is not acceptable, as nipping is a normal part of herding, and may eventually result from such unimpeded behaviour.
​
​
​
​
Above Content From Article by Dr Stuart Fitzgerald
