The Australian Shepherd Dog: Intelligent Beautiful Sheep Dogs
During our younger
days, we may have mistaken an tri or bi-coloured Australian Shepherd for a
Border Collie, which is rather unavoidable, given their similarities in
appearances. Up until recently, we had the chance to encounter some unique
looking Dogs, of which happened to be none other than the Australian Shepherd.
What made them so special? For one thing, they stood out because of their Merle
patterned coats and their uniquely odd-coloured eyes.
Little did we know,
they’re amongst the top favourite breeds in many countries!
The Aussie Shepherd
On the contrary to
their name, the Australian Shepherd has no relation that ties back to the
country itself. In fact it is believed that Basque (mountainous region border between Spain and France) shepherds were
the very people whom introduced the Australian Shepherd dogs into America, and
may have stopped over at Australia whilst migrating for a while. Being a close
relative to the Border Collies, the Australian Shepherd also has a myriad of
aliases, such as Pastor Dog, Spanish Shepherd, California Shepherd, Bob-tail,
and even Austrian Shepherd.
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What can be known for
sure is that the Australian Shepherd breed was in fact developed in West
America, and fondly nicknamed Aussie, for short. Back in the days,
Aussies might have differed in appearances for different regions, mainly
because Shepherds were only concerned with the physical capabilities of their
sheep-herding Dogs, and Aussies were inter-bred to better cope with different
weather conditions. Recent standards stem from the bloodlines of Aussies in
West America, with the Australian Shepherd Club of America forming in the
1970's. Aussies were bred for extreme weather conditions, endurance and high
stamina as a great working dog.
What Does An Australian Shepherd Look Like?
Aussies are a medium
sized breed weighing from 14 to 29 kilograms, with males usually larger than
females. They have either straight or wavy medium-long hair around their
bodies, and spot a thick mane around their necks, usually more visible on
males. One of the distinct features of the Aussie lies in their coat
colouration. Speckled and marbled patterns are known as merle, and they come in
a combination of Black, Blue, Red, Grey, Tan and White.
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Fun Fact Did you know,
that Australian Shepherds’ tails were docked off at birth in the past? This odd
practice has now thankfully been banned!
Grooming Requirements Of An Australian Shepherd
The medium to long
coat should be kept tangle free and brushed weekly, as Aussies shed throughout
the year. Regular combing and brushing will prevent any buildup of loose hair
from the undercoat. As you brush and comb, be sure to reach the undercoat as
deep as you can without hurting your Aussie. They only require baths if they
are dirty i.e. outdoor activities, a healthy coat remains shiny instead of
dull.
Australian Shepherd Behaviour And Personality
These are highly
intelligent and affectionate Dogs whom remain devoted and loyal to their
family. Because they were bred for working, they strive on learning new skills
and training, to keep their brainy-self preoccupied and entertained. A bored or
neglected Aussie may in turn become quite the opposite of fun, also deemed as
destructive behaviour. They may also be rather reserved towards strangers due
to their protective nature.
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Just
how lovely can Aussies be? Have a look at these wonderful
Pet-owner-relationships from around the world for instance!
My Aussie Gal
Australian
Shepherd named Secret and her owner
Mary show you just how well Secret can take to training! From enjoying fun
outdoor times to helping Mary out with work-out exercise, Secret is just full
of surprises.
– 211 K
followers
Allie And Gator
Two
Aussies from Sydney, Australia of Blue Merle coat (Gator) and Black Tri-clour coat (Allie) spend their days enjoying the outdoor weather and frolicking
amongst greenery and sandy beaches. It’s just so much fun looking through the
photographs.
– 60.5 K
followers
Happy Aussie
Meet
Tigger, the Aussie with a photojournal of wonderful moments amongst flowers,
the woods and different seasons. We are calmed by looking at these photos, the
tranquility is how charming Tigger looks, even within beautiful scenery.
– 28.5 K
followers.
Mr.Bear
This is Cody, an Aussie from Hanover, Germany.
Yet another Aussie with owners whom love enjoying great outdoor fun like they
do! Capturing these perfect moments of love, friendship and peaceful
landscapes.
– 14.8 K
followers
You
might also be interested in these:
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Disclaimer
This article was written with informational purposes, as you know, we’d love to share our collective research and experiences as fellow Pet owners and lovers. It is not meant to alternate in any way as advice or diagnosis of Professionals.
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ThePetsDialogue claims no credit for images posted on this article unless otherwise displayed/stated. All rights go to respective owners as mentioned. If you do not wish for your image(s) to appear here do drop us an e-mail and it will be removed promptly. If you do wish to use any of our original published information, you are welcome to contact us!
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