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Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale
Australian Shepherd
(Australischer Schäferhund)
(Aussie)
Mikey, the Aussie lives with 5 horses, a larger heard of
goats and 3 dogs
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Pronunciation |
Australian
Shepherd |
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Description |
The Aussie, as it is known, is a
medium-sized, robust, well-balanced, rustic dog. The ears are set on high at the
side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. The coat is of
medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length
with an undercoat. The quantity of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short
and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks.
Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There
is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. An
identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. He should be
attentive, lively and agile with a body slightly longer than its height at the
withers. The Aussie has a strong, deep chest and stands squarely on all fours.
The front legs are straight. Front dewclaw removal is optional, but rear
dewclaws are generally removed. The feet are compact and oval with arched toes.
The top of the head is approximately the same length as the slightly tapering
muzzle. The head has a moderate stop. The teeth form a scissors bite. The
medium-sized oval eyes come brown, blue, amber, or any variation or combination
including flecks and marbling. The ears are set on high at the side of the head,
triangular and slightly rounded at the tip, of moderate size with length
measured by bringing the tip of the ear around to the inside corner of the eye.
The medium length coat comes in blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and
solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points
with no order of preference. The hair around the ears and eyes should not be
white. The coat may be straight or slightly wavy, and should have feathering on
the back of the legs, and a mane and frill around the neck. Hair on the head,
front of the forelegs and on the outside of the ears is shorter than the rest of
the coat. The tail is generally docked if it is longer then 4 inches, though
most are naturally short. Each individual's masculinity or femininity is clearly
defined. |
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Temperament |
Australian Shepherds are easy going, perpetual
puppies that love to play. Courageous, loyal and affectionate, they are
excellent children's companions that are great with active children. A devoted
friend and guardian, for they are naturally protective. Very lively, agile and
attentive - they are eager to please, with a sixth sense about what the owner
wants. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Though
aggressive when at work with livestock, the Aussie is gentle with human friends.
Australian Shepherds needs lots of exercise and a job to do, as the breed is
very intelligent, active and easily bored. They can become nervous and
destructive if left alone too much without exercise. They are naturally
suspicious of strangers, so they should be well socialized as puppies. Working
lines of Australian Shepherds may be too energetic to be suitable pets. Some
like to nip people's heals in an attempt to herd them. They are quiet workers,
unlike some breeds, which are bred to bark constantly at livestock. This breed
is not usually dog aggressive. |
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Height, Weight |
Height: Dogs 20-23 inches (52-58cm.) Bitches 18-21
inches (46-53cm.)
Weight: Dogs 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg) Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.) |
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Health Problems |
The gene for the beautiful merle coloration also
carries a blind/deaf factor. This may be expressed only in merle/merle crosses.
Be sure to check the hearing on merle puppies. Natural bobtail-to-natural
bobtail breedings can result in some offspring with serious spinal defects. Major
concerns: cataract, CEA. Minor concerns: CHD, nasal solar dermatitis, Pelger –
Huet syndrome, iris coloboma. Occasionally seen: lumbar sacral syndrome,
epilepsy, PRA, vWD, distichiasis, PDA, PPM. Suggested tests: hip, eye. Some are
prone to hip dysplasia This breed is often sensitive to ivermectin; however, the
dosage for heartworm preventive is considered safe. Also
IMHA (Immune Mediated Hemolytic Anemia) |
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Living Conditions |
This breed is not recommended for apartment life.
They are moderately active indoors and will do best with at least a large yard. |
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Exercise |
This energetic working dog
needs plenty of vigorous exercise to stay in shape, mentally and physically, or
better yet, some real work to do. Very intelligent and crave a good challenge.
They need to be taken on a daily, brisk,
long walk, jog or
run alongside you when you bicycle.
If under-exercised, this breed can become
restless and destructive. |
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Life Expectancy |
About 12-15 years |
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Litter Size |
6 - 9 puppies - Average 7 |
Grooming |
The coat is easy to groom and needs little
attention. Brush occasionally with a firm bristle brush and bathe only when
necessary. This breed is an average shedder. |
Origin |
Despite the misleading name, the Australian
Shepherd is not Australian at all, but was developed entirely in the U.S. to
work as a herding dog on ranches. It is possible that the name was derived from
one of the dog's ancestors. The breed's principal forebears were most likely
Spanish dogs that accompanied the Basque shepherds and herds of fine Merino
sheep exported to both America and Australia in the early days of the colonies.
At some point it probably crossed with Collie stock. It has only recently gained
recognition as a distinct breed. Its many talents include, retrieving, herding,
watchdogging, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, search & rescue,
agility, competitive obedience and performing tricks. |
Group |
Herding, AKC Herding |
| Recognition |
ASCA, UKC, NKC, AKC, NZKC, CKC, APRI, ACR |
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ASCA = Australian
Shepherd Club of America
UKC = United Kennel Club
NKC = National
Kennel Club
AKC = American
Kennel Club
NZKC = New Zealand
Kennel Club
CKC = Continental
Kennel Club
APRI = American Pet Registry Inc.
ACR = American Canine Registry |
Australian Shepherd Posters and Prints!
LionHill's Red Baron
Photo Courtesy of Genevieve Simmons
Photo Courtesy of
Cheynat
Australian Shepherds.
Australian
Shepherd Pictures Page 1
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