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.

It was from that point that the breed acquired the name Australian Shepherd, having previously been known as the Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bobtail, and the Blue Heeler.

These intelligent, active and affectionate dogs make wonderful pets for the right person or family. The proviso is that any prospective owner should be an active person who involves the dog in a lot of outdoor activities and provides the dog with vigorous daily exercise. Dogs that lack physical and mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and that will almost certainly be the case with this breed.

The need to herd is still strong in this breed and you may notice that the dog tries to herd everyone within range, friends, family and other pets included!

Australian Shepherds are naturally protective, and will defend their home and those close to them. Around strangers they can seem withdrawn and wary, but this in not timidity. In fact, they are generally confident and self-assured dogs.

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.

For training, use a constructive, reward-based training method, like clicker training, and you’ll be rewarded with a balanced, happy and fulfilled dog. Not only that, but you’ll be able to impress the pants off your friends and family with all the amazing tricks you can teach your Aussie to do!

While the Australian Shepherd is generally a healthy robust dog, it is prone to a number of congenital diseases, including hip dysplasia, epilepsy, back problems and eye disorders. These dogs can live 12 to 14 years on average.

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