Australian Shepherd - Dog Breed Profile

Author: Dooziedog.com

Key Facts:

Size: Medium - large

Height: 46 - 58 cm (18 - 23 inches)

Weight: 9 - 14 kg (20 - 30 lb)

Life Span: 12 years

Grooming: Reasonable

Exercise: Demanding

Feeding: Medium

Temperament: Energetic & even-tempered

Country of Origin: United States

AKC Group: Herding

Temperament:

The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, astute, alert, tough and loyal. Australian Shepherds have tremendous stamina and energy and bond closely to their family. They can be shy with strangers, but tend to tolerate children and other pets well, if they are socialised at a young age. Australian Shepherds are easy to train as they are eager to please and are quick learners. The Australian Shepherd is naturally protective and makes a gentle and easy-going companion.

Grooming:

Australian Shepherds need occasional grooming is when the coat is moulting to remove the dead hairs from the under-layer.

Exercise:

Australian Shepherds require a decent amount of exercise and need to be occupied. These dogs are ideal for various dog sports such as agility trials or fly-ball.

History:

It is believed that the progenitors of the Australian Shepherd arrived in Australia with sheep brought out with the early settlers. It is safe to presume they carry similar lines to the Stumpy Tail Cattle Dog and the Border Collie. After the 1840 Australian Gold rushes, many gold diggers took off for the Californian gold fields and with them went sheep and their sheepdogs. Thus it was in America that the Australian Shepherd evolved and a resultant breed standard approved.

Physical Characteristics:

General Appearance: Muscular, athletic and friendly.

Color: Black, red, blue or red merle with or without white markings and/or tan points.

Coat: Medium to long hair that is either straight or wavy, with a dense undercoat.

Tail: Can be docked or remains naturally short.

Ears: Semi-pricked or rose-shaped.

Body: Strong, level back slightly sloping towards the tail. They are slightly longer than tall.

Additional Comments:

The Australian Shepherd makes a great family pet, so long as the exercise demands can be met.

Some Australian Shepherds like to nip people's heals, with their natural herding instincts.

About the author: This article provided courtesy of http://www.dooziedog.com/dog_breeds/australian_shepherd/