The Australian Shepherd or Aussie is a herding dog with an unusual eye color and beautiful color. He is a loyal friend and a good helper who is always ready to play with the children or look after them. And the trademark "smile" of such a pet will not leave anyone indifferent.
The Australian Shepherd (Aussie), contrary to its name, has practically nothing to do with Australia. This dog was artificially bred in the United States, crossing various breeds of Collie and Sinnenhund with the Pyrenean and Basque Shepherd Dogs.
This breed received its name, most likely, due to the fact that one of its ancestors, which was used in breeding, came to America from Australia. The results of breeding this breed have surpassed all expectations - the Australian Shepherd has become known and distributed almost all over the world.
Description of the breed
The Australian Shepherd is a herding breed, so the best place to keep it is a farm, where the dog can run around and apply its skills to help the owner. The Aussie will delight its owner and gladly do its job for 13 years - this is the life expectancy of the Australian Shepherd.
Height and weight
Height at the withers depends on the sex of the Australian Shepherd. So, the growth of males can reach 58 cm, and bitches - 53 cm. The weight of dogs of this breed, with proper feeding, does not exceed 32 kg.
Body
Dogs of this breed have a body of moderate length, wide and strong legs, and on their hind legs they have long hair, which is usually called "trousers".
Tail
The tail is straight and should not be longer than 10 cm - by standards it is docked at puppyhood. If the dog is not started for show and breeding, the tail may not be docked.
Head and eyes
The head is in proportion to the body, the top of the Australian Shepherd's skull is rounded or flat. The structure of the muzzle is quite similar to that of the border collie. The ears are semi-erect, triangular in shape.
The eyes of the Australian Shepherd are almond-shaped, expressive. In dogs of this breed, heterochromia is often found - the pet may have multi-colored eyes.
Heterochromia in the Australian Shepherd can be as follows:
- One eye is of one color and the other is of a different color. For example, the left eye is blue and the right eye is light brown.
- One eye is completely one color, the other two colors. For example, the left eye is 2/3 blue and 1/3 brown, and the right eye is brown.
In dogs of this breed, eyes can have the following colors:
- green,
- brown,
- blue,
- yellow.
Wool and color
The coat is dense and of medium length, moderately coarse in some places (usually on the chest and neck).
The color of this breed is varied. It can be one-color, two-color, and also have three different colors. However, the most common colors are:
- the black;
- marble red;
- marble blue;
- black tricolor;
- red tricolor.
The color of the nose can be black or brown, but it can have small pink spots on it, which is a variant of the norm according to the breed standard.
Australian Shepherd personality
Aussie is distinguished by hard work and dedication. Dogs of this breed are very friendly and affectionate. At the same time, they mistrust strangers and can show aggression, defending their territory, other animals or their owner.
Australian Shepherds get along well with children and are friendly to other pets. Also, the Aussie closely monitors the behavior of its owner and is able to anticipate his desires.
This is a very energetic, playful and sociable dog, she will follow on the heels of the owner and gladly carry out his orders. Whether it is a flock of sheep or a small child, the Aussie will do an excellent job of both the shepherd and the nanny role, trying his best not to upset the owner.
If you do not pay due attention to the dog, do not train and educate, often leave it alone, then it can cease to obey the owner and even begin to show aggression.
Aussie health
In regards to the health of the Australian Shepherd, you need to know the following:
- Red animals do not tolerate heat well, so they need a place in the shade and coolness, where they will rest and hide from the sun. It is advisable to have a bowl of fresh water nearby.
- For some dogs of this breed, antiparasitic and anticancer drugs can be dangerous to health and life. Before giving the Aussie such drugs, it is necessary to carry out a genetic analysis.
The list of diseases most commonly affected by Australian Shepherds include:
- retinal dysplasia;
- cataract;
- dysplasia of the hip joints;
- epilepsy;
- malignant neoplasms;
- dystrophy of the optic nerve.
Aussie content
The Australian Shepherd needs a lot of mental and physical stress. Such a pet needs long walks, so it is best to keep the Aussie in a country house, where the animal will have the opportunity to run around.
If the Aussie starts as a companion or family dog for living in an apartment, then it needs to be allocated enough time for walking - at least 2 hours with the opportunity to run and play.
While walking, one should not forget about training - even if the dog knows all the standard commands perfectly, it can always be taught something new or, in extreme cases, repeat something from the old.
Aussie care
Like any dog, the Australian Shepherd needs timely trimming of its nails, cleaning its ears and teeth, and basic eye care.
Long hair should be brushed several times a week to avoid tangling. This is especially true during the shedding period - the more often the pet is scratched, the less hair there will be in the house. As for water procedures, bathing the Australian Shepherd is enough once every three months.
It is best to feed your dog with specialized super-premium or premium food. Aussies can also be fed with natural products, but then you need to ensure that the dog has a complete diet.
Australian Shepherd Training
Aussies begin to train from the age of three months and only with the help of affection and encouragement. In no case should a pet be punished or shouted at during training, and this is hardly required - Australian Shepherds are very smart and grasp everything on the fly. They learn quickly and memorize new commands.
With the right approach to training, it is easy to teach them various tricks, recognize, search and bring objects. They can easily help you find the keys to the apartment, the TV remote control or the lost sock, if you teach them such things in advance. Also, dogs of this breed take part in various competitions with pleasure, they love to study and work.
Breeding australian shepherd
There are several things to know about Aussie breeding:
- The most optimal age for the first mating is 1.5 years.
- Aussies usually have a pregnancy duration of two months (maximum 68 days).
- Most often, an Australian Shepherd has 3-5 puppies.
- It should also be remembered that it is highly discouraged to use bitches over 9 years old for breeding.
Where are Aussies used?
The Australian Shepherd is an excellent companion and family dog. Best of all, she feels herself in the role of a shepherd, helping to graze animals. However, this breed is also used for other purposes.
For example, the Aussie does an excellent job of being a guide dog or a helper for people with disabilities. This breed can be used in pet therapy, as well as in search and rescue services or as a police dog.
