The Australian Shepherd is not, in fact, from Australia. This intelligent herding breed was actually created in the United States. This is a high energy breed with a big personality and beautiful good looks to boot! Their herding roots make them great working dogs, however they do not fit into every household because of their boundless energy and need for a job. For those who are willing to put in the work, however, this medium-sized shepherd can make a great companion!
Many people are drawn to Aussies because of their plethora of colors and color patterns. There is a lot of individuality from one dog to the next because of the variance of color and markings. The four main color patterns are red merle, red, blue merle and black – however any of these colors can also have white and/or a copper trim. But do not be fooled, despite their pretty appearance, this breed has plenty of stamina, agility and strength. They love to roughhouse, swim, jog and jump – and will often dirty up their flowing coat while out having fun! Regular brushing and occasional baths will be necessary to keep the coats in good condition. Keep in mind that the breed does shed seasonally.
Aussies live to work for their owners, showing lots of attention and excitement in most everything they do. They are easy to housebreak and also tend to be easy to train in all sorts of venues – often gaining high marks in the performance ring because of their enthusiastic nature. Because this breed needs a job to do, obedience training is a must! Owners who do not train their dogs often end up with bored or stressed Aussies who turn into problem chewers or diggers. When not being destructive, untrained Aussies will out-think their owners and get into all sorts of frustrating situations. Luckily, a little bit of training goes a long way and these dogs have the capability to be extremely versatile and work in many different training avenues.
Australian Shepherd should never be outright shy although many are reserved with strangers until they get to know them. Others are friendly to everyone from the get-go. With their own families, they are unquestionably loyal and devoted. They tend to form very strong bonds with those they love. Many tend to have a protective side and will be extra cautious when a new person comes to the house or near their owner, so early socialization and training are very important. Aussies also get along well with children and cats when they have been raised with them, although they may try to herd both!
Because of their high herding drive, Aussies need to be kept securely behind a fence or on a leash when they are not being supervised. Otherwise (especially if they’ve had no training) they tend to herd anything that moves. This includes cars, which is obviously very unsafe. Prospective owners need to be aware of this before acquiring an Aussie. New owners also must be aware that they need a lot of daily exercise. While some Aussies are more laid-back than others, virtually none of them are complete couch potatoes… at least not until they are older. Because they have a higher energy level, they may also eat more than other dogs of a similar size.
Australian Shepherds prefer to go wherever their owners go, including car trips. They love impromptu frisbee sessions at the park or a hike in the woods. When at home they will follow their favorite person from room to room, and sometimes even that isn’t enough as many indivuduals must always have at least one foot touching their owner at all times. As can be imagined, this is quite an affectionate breed! They do not make good outside-only pets. While one might assume that the Australian Shepherd needs to live on a ranch or a home with a huge backyard, this isn’t actually the case as long as the owner is willing to put in extra work exercising the dog.
Aussies are known for being barkers, so those who prefer a quiet house probably should steer clear. They will bark whenever anything seems amiss, whether or not that thing is actually important. They prefer things to be consistent and don’t like change. Neither do they like loud or startling sounds – and they will alert to that as well. On the plus side, however, they make good watchdogs that are willing to back up their bark with a bite if need be.
