The Aussie has a natural or docked bobtail. The AKC standard states the tail should not exceed four inches in length; tails that are longer are docked. The dog's body should be slightly longer than its height at the withers. The chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow.
Australian Shepherds have solid, muscular bodies with straight, strong backs and deep chests with well-sprung ribs. Their almond-shaped eyes may be brown, blue, amber, or other variations or combinations of these colors—and often include flecks and marbling.
A deep-chested dog usually has a chest that extends to or below their elbows, making them proportionately deeper and narrower than normal or barrel-chested dogs. Deep-chestedness is proportionate, and although many large breeds are represented, small and medium dog breeds can be deep-chested also.
Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs with a solid build and low center of gravity. They are about 18 to 23 inches in height, and weigh from about 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). Males generally are taller and heavier than females.
While intelligent and hardworking, the Australian Shepherd can still be a goofy and loving family pet.
adjective. having a large, broad chest: a deep-chested man. coming from deep in the chest: a deep-chested cough.
Large-breed and deep-chested dogs are at the highest risk of developing bloat. Predisposed breeds include: Great Danes (39% of Great Danes will experience bloat during their lifetime)
Barrel chest is a visible symptom of COPD, emphysema, osteoarthritis, and CF. The lungs fill with air and are unable to fully breathe out. This gives the chest a pronounced barrel shape. The treatment of barrel chest focuses on managing symptoms of the underlying condition and limiting the extent of lung damage.
Border Collies have solid, muscular bodies with straight, strong backs and deep chests. They have oval eyes; medium-sized ears that are set well apart and carried erect or semi-erect.
Gastric dilatation-volvulus (GDV) is a serious condition and is fatal if left untreated. Commonly referred to as "bloat," GDV occurs when a dog's stomach fills with gas, food, or fluid and subsequently twists.
There are many theories on which breeds were used to create the Australian Shepherd. It's likely that the Aussie's ancestors include collie and shepherd-type dogs that were imported with shipments of sheep from Australia during the 1840s — hence the name.
It is slightly arched at the crest and fits well into the shoulders. The Aussie has a firm body with a level topline from withers to hip joints and a moderately sloping croup. The deep chest and well sprung ribs appear well balanced and strong without being barrel chested or slab-sided.
Exercise. At least two to three hours of exercise—physical and mental—is necessary to keep the Australian Shepherd happy and healthy. Without enough activity, the Aussie can become high-strung, destructive, or snappy. As a working breed, they've got plenty of energy to burn, and they need your help to do it.
Be aware that any dog could possibly bloat at any age. I have seen GDV in a six-month-old Australian Shepherd puppy. Smaller, "rounder" dogs are less likely to suffer bloat, however.
The breed with the highest average lifetime likelihood of a bloat episode is the Great Dane, at 42.4%. Other breeds at higher-than average risk include the Bloodhound, Irish Wolfhound, Irish Setter, Akita, standard Poodle, German Shepherd Dog, and Boxer.
The rib cage on a barrel-chested dog is very deep, wide, and round and they are visually chest-heavy. The top and bottom of the dog's chest is reasonably straight and even, and this is then paired with wider, rounded shoulders on the sides. The bottom of the chest is usually above or in line with their front elbows.
Picture a pit bull in your head, and most likely you see a muscular, short-haired dog with a broad head, deep chest, and a medium-to-large size.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
Australian Shepherds will bark at strangers, loud noises, and other animals as a way of getting rid of all that excess energy. More so, they can display the same type of behavior towards squirrels, thunderstorms, or even a passing car.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety.