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Breed Description

Surprisingly, the Australian Shepherd is actually American!

The Australian part of the name comes from the sheep they worked with and imported from Australia. When they first arrived in the southwestern United States in the late 1800s, the dogs were first allowed to cross with other shepherd dogs to improve their ability to work.

In 1957, a breed club was established in the United States.

Family Friendly

The aussies love to participate in family life, feel good in the company of their owners. An early socialization is essential.

They hate beeing alone

If you want a dog that can stay alone for a long time, then the aussie is not the breed. They feel good in herd,other dogs or the owner.

Excellent Houseguard

Aussies are excellent guard dogs and warn their owners of strangers approaching, but not in the style of barking for no reason.

They love exercise

They need at least two hours of exercise a day. They perform to a high standard in dog sports, where they can harness their physical and mental energy.

46 - 58 cm
12 -15 years
18 - 30 kg

Personality

This dog has a strong herding instinct, he likes to participate in family life, he also treats his owners in this spirit. It is important to introduce new people to them, early socialization is essential. A combination of continuous training and physical and mental stimulation is also important to satisfy significant intelligence and energy.

Health

The Australian Shepherd is usually a very healthy breed. However – as with many breeds – he has various hereditary eye diseases and hip dysplasia (this condition can lead to mobility problems). Therefore, it is important to have the eyes and hips checked before breeding

Nutrition

He is not picky, almost everything is accepted and eaten. However, the dog’s diet should meet an appropriate balance of major nutrient groups, including a constant supply of fresh water. It is also important to have regular health check-ups to ensure that the dog is kept in ideal shape and that he does not forget to be fed at least twice a day, in accordance with the feeding guidelines for the particular food.

Care

The coat is of medium length with weatherproof undercoat. There are some longer hairs on the back of the legs and a moderate “mane” around the neck that is thicker and stronger in male dogs. It is advisable to cut the long coat at the bottom of the leg every six to eight weeks. It should be combed with a brush 2-3 times a week and more frequent grooming is required when the dog is moulting.

Physical movement

Australian Shepherds are energetic dogs who require daily exercise.

This needs of the dog must be taken care of. Australian Shepherds are very active and without proper daily exercise, their energy can become difficult to manage.

Play with your dog as fast as possible and let him have plenty of time to run around freely. This gives the Australian Shepherd time to work off the excess energy and thus stay fit.

View the exact FCI standard: