Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Amazing Facts, Lifespan

Australian Shepherd Scientific Classification

Kingdom           Animalia

Phylum               Chordata

Class                   Mammalia

Order                Carnivora

Family                 Canidae

Genus                  Canis

Scientific Name: Canis lupus

Australian Shepherd Locations

North America

Oceania

Conservation status

Not Listed

Australian Shepherd Physical Characteristics

Colour                  Brown, Grey, Red, Black, Tan

Skin Type             Hair

Lifespan                  13 – 15 years

Weight                     65 lbs

2 Pros and Cons of Having an Australia Shepherd

Pros

Intelligent and hard-working

Australian shepherds also complete any task or job you give them.

Good exercise dog

This breed is an admirable companion if you spend most of your time outdoors daily.

Cons

Territorial

This breed can be a little greedy of its owner.

Destructive behaviour

If this breed does not have an outlet for its rushed-up energy, it may start destroying things around the home.

Australian Shepherd History

Despite its Name, the Australian Shepherd is an American-born breed. It was developed to herd livestock for breeders and farmers in the western U.S., and some modern Aussies still do that job.

The Aussie’s ancestors were collie and shepherd dogs imported with sheep deliveries from Australia during the 1840s. Breeders struggled to increase their herding ability and create practical, hard-working, and clever dogs. The breed relished an admiration explosion in the post-World War II years.

Australian Shepherd Personality

Aussie Shepherds are very trainable dogs. They are brilliant and enjoy the ability to form strong bonds with humans. Hence, they love to learn skills and tricks. They are very responsive to positive reinforcement and are easy to train.

They are very alert and energetic. They like to play with kids and adults and love the attention that playtime brings.

Their nature to herd livestock makes them very protective. These dogs are not aggressive but can protect their family and territory.

Australian Shepherd Size and weight

The Australian Shepherd dog breed is a moderate-sized dog with a firm body. The standard sizes of this breed are:

Height (Male)                    20 to 23 inches

Height (Female)               18 to 21 inches

Weight (Male)                   50 to 65 pounds

Weight (Female)               40 to 55 pounds

Australian Shepherd Feeding and Diet

This breed’s daily diet contains 1.5 to 2.5 cups of great-worth dry food divided into two meals. However, your dog’s diet depends on size, age, body, metabolism, and activity level.

The amount of food given to your dog keeps them healthiest. Aussies have high energy needs and a good appetite and will overeat if you are not careful. Be sure to buy food for your dog that is high in nutrients and low in calories. Look for dog food that contains chicken, beef, or lamb with healthy fats and nutrients. A dry, wet, or a mixture of both foods can work best for your Aussie.

Australian Shepherd Health

Although this breed is healthy, they are prone to certain conditions like other breeds. Not all of them get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware if you are considering this breed. If you buy a puppy, find a good breeder who will show your health clearance to the puppy’s parents. For this breed, you should expect health clearances from the Orthopedic Organization for Animals (OFA) for hip and elbow dysplasia and from the Canine Eye Registry Foundation (CERF) certifying that eyes are normal.

Hip Dysplasia

This is a heritable disease in which the femur does not fit tightly into the pelvic socket of the hip joint. This can occur with or without symptoms. Some dogs show pain and lameness on one or both legs. Dogs containing this problem should not be reproduced.

Elbow Dysplasia

Elbow dysplasia is a heredity disease common to large-breed dogs. It is caused by the different growth rates of the three bones that make up the dog’s elbow, causing joint leniency. Surgery is used to correct the problem, or medication is used to control the pain.

Deafness

Deafness is expected in this breed and may pose many challenges. Some forms of deafness and hearing loss can be treated with medication and surgery, but deafness cannot usually be cured. If your dog has hearing loss or deafness, take the time to evaluate whether you have the patience, time, and capability to care for it.

Cataracts

Cataracts are a disease of the eye lens that causes difficulty seeing. They generally occur in old dogs and can be removed surgically to improve their vision.

Allergies

Allergies are a common type of disease in dogs. Until the dog is discovered, allergies to many foods are identified and treated by removing these foods from the diet. Contact allergies are caused by the reaction of things that touch the dog, such as flea powders, dog shampoos, or other chemicals.

Cancer

Many dogs can develop cancer. There are different kinds of cancer, and treatment success differs from each type. For some types of cancers, tumours are surgically removed, some are treated by chemotherapy, and some are treated surgically and medically.

Maintenance and Grooming

The Australian Shepherd has a profuse double-layered coat that does need some courtesy. For the best part of the year, this breed requires weekly brushing. But in shedding season, the fur must be scrapped once every two to three days, followed by a rapid cleanup with a wire brush. Because of its outgoing nature, the dog may require regular bathing to prevent dirt from accumulating. It would be best if you also trimmed their nails frequently.

Training

The Australian Shepherd is a highly trainable and obedient dog that takes up numerous skills, instructions, jobs, and almost any other task. One other thing you should know is the dog’s herding instincts. If you don’t need herding, you should spot the marks before they become more severe.

You could also redirect your dog’s behaviour toward more suitable activities. Do not punish your dog by yelling at it, even if it is persistent. This may disappoint it or make it more suspicious of you. Professional training is necessary for more severe owners.

Exercise

Australian Shepherd is a high-energy breed that requires at least one or two hours of exercise daily. If you already have ample space, then you should be set, and widespread open space should be serving, and the dogs should be delighted to come with you on walks and biking trips. It also likes to perform tricks. Its double coat should isolate the dog from extreme heat and cold. On a warm day, you should ensure the dog is comfortable and has enough to drink.

Puppies

When dealing with your new dog, keep some things in mind. Puppies should be shown to as many conditions and people as possible. If they do not socialize early, they may become cautious around strangers. You should also take an exam at the vet as soon as possible to check for early health problems.

Australian Shepherd Popular Names

• Stella
• Milo
• Bear
• Charlie
• Bella
• Cooper
• Luna

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Is an Australian Shepherd a good pet?

It is a good pet because of its calm and easygoing nature. Due to their lively and active lifestyle, they can get along well with kids and make good companions. This makes them good pets for a family with kids.

Will Australian Shepherds protect you?

They are a very dedicated breed and highly intelligent. They form strong bonds with their owners and family and take their role as protectors seriously. However, if they are not properly socialized and trained, they can become protective and aggressive towards things they perceive as threatening.

Do Australian Shepherds get aggressive?

They usually have low aggression toward their owners and other dogs. However, they can expose their aggressive side towards strangers who are inferring or appear to threaten their family.

What do Australian Shepherds eat?

Aussies have high energy needs and a good appetite and will overeat if you are not careful. Be sure to buy food for your dog that is high in nutrients and low in calories. Look for dog food that contains chicken, beef, or lamb with healthy fats and nutrients. Dry, wet, or a mixture of both foods can work best for your Aussie.

At what age do Australian Shepherds stop growing?

As a medium—to large-sized dog breed, they generally take a little longer to attain their full size than smaller dogs. Most of them take 16 months to reach their full adult size, although many attain their adult height at around a year old.

Does Australian Shepherd have health problems?

Although this breed is healthy, like other breeds, it is prone to certain conditions. Not all of them get these diseases, but it’s essential to be aware if you are considering this breed. Some common health issues of this breed are hip and elbow dysplasia, deafness, cataracts, allergies, cancer, anxiety, and epilepsy.

Why Australian Shepherds are called Australians?

They came from the Basque region of Spain. Basque Shepherds first took their dogs to Australia and then the United States; hence, the Americans called them Australian Shepherds. As we know it today, the breed was developed exclusively in the United States.