All About The Breed: Australian Shepherd
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The Australian Shepherd, affectionately known as the "Aussie" is a sheep herding dog that originated in the Pyrenees Mountains, between France and Spain. Yes, you read that correctly, the Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed at all. These dogs were in fact brought to Australia by Basque immigrants, and when some of their descendants later moved on to America, their dogs went with them.
From then on the breed started to be called the Australian Shepherd, but prior to that, the Aussie went by a number of other names, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, and Blue Heeler.
These extremely intelligent, enthusiastic, people-loving dogs make excellent pets - for the right owner. That owner needs to be an active, outdoor person who is prepared to give the dog the physical exercise it demands. An Aussie lives to work, and one that is under-exercised, and under-stimulated mentally, soon develops behavioral problems.
You should also be aware that the herding instinct is still very strong in the Aussie Shepherd, so don't be surprised if the dog tries to herd you and your family.
The Australian Shepherd is a confident, self-assured and protective breed. They do tend to be somewhat cautious around strangers, but this should not be interpreted as timidity, they are just naturally wary.
This is not a dog to be left to his own devices in the back yard. The Aussie simply craves attention and wants to be at the center of all the family's activities. If you're not able to devote a lot of time to your dog then this may not be the breed for you.
On the other hand, if you want a responsive, enthusiastic and loving companion, look no further. The Aussie is one of the easiest dogs to train because they simply love to learn. They excel at canine sports like disc dog, flyball and particularly agility. These activities are all wonderful opportunities to build up a strong bond with your dog, by the way.
When training your dog, use a positive method that is proven to deliver results - something like clicker training. You'll be rewarded with a happy, fulfilled and balanced dog, and just think how impressed your family will be when they see the amazing things your dog is capable of.
The Australian Shepherd is a healthy dog breed, but like all purebred dogs it does suffer from a number of inherited conditions. These include back problems, eye problems, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Median lifespan for the breed is 12 to 14 years.
Finding good dog names, for a Australian Shepherd can be a challenge. Your best bet is to use an online dog names database like Puppy Names HQ, which has literally thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-list of cool dog names.