Dog Breed Info: Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd, or “Aussie” as it is sometimes called, is a dog with an interesting past. Perhaps the most interesting fact is that they are not Australian at all! The breed actually has its origins in the Pyrenees Mountains somewhere between Spain and France. Basque Shepherds originally brought these dogs to Australia, and when their descendents immigrated to America in the 1800s they took their dogs 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 are extremely intelligent dogs who just love being around people, and make great pets for the right owner. Ideally that person will be someone who enjoys outdoor activities and is prepared to meet the dog's considerable exercise needs. As a working dog, the Aussie needs to be kept busy, and will almost certainly develop behavioral problems if he does not get enough physical and mental stimulation.
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They have a strong herding instinct, and will have a go at herding everything and everyone they come into contact with – including your kids and the family cat!
Australian Shepherds are protective of their home and family and therefore tend to be cautious around strangers. This is sometimes interpreted as timidity, but the breed is actually quite confident and self-assured.
This is a dog with a real love of life. They want to be at the center of all activities and can be quite demanding of attention. The worst thing you can do to an Australian Shepherd is to ignore him, and if you are not prepared to give your dog lots of attention it may be wise to consider another breed.
But if you do have time to spend with your dog, you’re in for a real treat. The Aussie Shepherd is a dream to train. These dogs learn quickly and love to please. They excel at a myriad of dog sports, including fly ball, agility trials and advanced dog obedience training. Aussies are willing and capable students, and time spent training serves multiple purposes. It provides your dog with mental and physical stimulation, gives him a job and a purpose, and helps to build the bond between you.
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.
Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online dog names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of boy dog names.
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