Australian Shepherds

Appearance:

Body: Well-balanced and medium sized with a deep chest

Coat: Medium texture, slightly wavy and weather-resistant

Color: Blue merle, red merle, both with or without white marking

Ears: Moderately sized and triangular-shaped

Eyes: Almond-shaped

Feet: Oval and compact with well-arched toes and thick pads

Head: Flat to slightly domed skull

Legs: Straight and strong, hind legs are well-feathered

Neck: Strong and slightly arched

Size:
Weight: 35 - 70 pounds (16 - 32kg)
Height: 18 - 23 inches (46 - 58cm)

Tail: Natural bobtail or cropped

Behavior

Recommended for experienced owners
Good with children
Adaptable to most any climate

The Australian Shepherd is affectionate and faithful with a good-natured and loving personality. They have a sweet disposition and a love for dog sports - at which they excel.

Aussies are highly energetic and tireless workers. They are a working dog and do best if they have a job to do. Many Aussies work at dog day care centers and dog socials helping to keep a watchful eye for problems among the canine guests.

They have very strong instincts for herding and guarding and will often herd children and even adults - viewing them as their flock.

Luna spends her days at the Canine Country Day School (owned and operated by her owner - Brenda Stoeke). She lends a hand in keeping control over the 20-30 dogs attending on any given day. Her speed and agility outpace the other breeds and her instincts for herding are well exercised and many times very difficult. Herding a flock of sheep is not the same as trying to control 20 to 30 dogs of varying breeds.

As Aussies excel at sports, Luna excels at agillity and at freestyle dancing with Brenda. Freestyle is where the owner dances with their dog by doing any kind of freestyle movement such as rolling over or moving across the floor together. A fun time for both dog and owner.

Breed Type

AKC Group: Herding Group
Originally bred to herd and guard stock.

Care and Grooming

Exercise: Requires regular exercise and, because of their high intelligence, they also require regular mental stimulation.

Grooming: Weekly grooming is best. Daily grooming may be necessary during shedding season.

Health

Life Expectancy: 12 - 13 Years.

Possible Problems:
Cataracts
Collie eye anomaly (CEA)
Epilepsy
Mange
Patent Ductus Arteriosis (PDA)
Pelger-Huet Anomaly
Persistent Pupilary Membrane (PPM)
PRA (Progressive Retinal Atrophy)

For further information visit:
Australian Shepherd Club of America, Inc (ASCA)

Country of Origin

Australia