This is not among the most popular dog breeds but that won’t count when you finally realize how many benefits it can offers you. The Australian Shepherd is a lovely and committed dog and that is why its origins are related to herding and working activities. We invite you to know this breed’s basic information so that you can make up your mind. You will absolutely want to have one of these around.
To begin with a bit of history we can say that in spite of the breed’s name, Australian Shepherds were breed in the United States as the result of a process of population movements across the country in the eighteen and nineteenth centuries. It is believed that this dog’s ancestors were located in the rocky areas of the Pyrenees, between France and Spain and other areas such as England.
Australian Shepherd traveled to the United States along with their owners, and there they gave birth to this new breed which was not known in Europe until then. They were bred mainly for herding activities in the farms and ranches that Americans installed all over the country, although they were primarily bred in the east coast and then their presence increased in the west coat when the California gold rush made this place the center of attention for workers.
You will find bicolor and tricolor specimens, but it will be hard for you to find equal or even similar coats since each dog has a particular design. The coat can also have white markings or spots in the neck, legs, back or chest. The hair is of an intermediate length and the grooming is not an essential matter to take care of since it is very smooth and soft. This medium sized dog should have measures such as these: from 18 to 23 inches tall and 35 to 70 pounds. The tail is a very particular feature since it is naturally docked or bobbed.
The eyes are always beautiful and may be of green, brown, blue, amber, hazel or split colors.
The ears are V-shaped and should fall in the top of the head but not at the sides. The most important health conditions this breed might suffer are blindness or deafness issues which were traditionally linked to the blue and brown coat colors. Nowadays this association is completely disapproved. They can also suffer from spinal defects and hip dysplasia.
The Australian Shepherd will give you lots of joyous and fun moments. If you are looking for a dog that respects you and takes his job seriously this is the right breed for you. Give them a chance and you will see.
