But Aussie shepherds aren't only common in purebred form — they also occur as mixed-breed mutts, who each vary in both subtle and not-so-subtle ways.
Australian Shepherd History
Their Pyrenean Shepherds crossbred with other working dogs, including Collies and Border Collies, creating the modern version of the Australian Shepherd.
The breed as it is known today developed in California in the 19th century, as a sheep herding dog for Californian shepherds. The Australian Shepherd is believed to have developed from a variety of herding dogs imported to California with sheep imports, including collies from Australia and New Zealand.
The Australian Shepherd, the cowboy's herding dog of choice, is a medium-sized worker with a keen, penetrating gaze in the eye. Aussie coats offer different looks, including merle (a mottled pattern with contrasting shades of blue or red). In all ways, they're the picture of rugged and agile movers of stock.
They are often referred to as “double merles.” If these puppies only had lots of white, there wouldn't be a problem. Unfortunately, most of them are also blind, deaf, or both. This is the reason that the breed standards disqualify white dogs.
Solid Red Coat
This Australian shepherd coat color, which ranges from deep reddish to lighter shades of red, is the rarest color. To create a solid red coat, breeders must strategically pair dogs with the ee recessive form of the E gene.
Australian shepherd colors and patterns can vary greatly, but the United States Australian Shepherd Association recognizes these four major categories: black, red, red merle, and blue merle (merle being the genetic pattern that occurs in a dog's coat, often appearing as speckled patches of color).
The Aussiedoodle, sometimes known as the Aussipoo, is a cross between the Australian Shepherd and a Poodle. These dogs are the most popular Aussie cross today, particularly because they were bred to be the ultimate companion and family dog.
Far more Australians are descended from assisted immigrants than from convicts, the majority of Colonial Era settlers being British and Irish. About 20 percent of Australians are descendants of convicts. Most of the first Australian settlers came from London, the Midlands and the North of England, and Ireland.
American ranchers loved Australian Shepherds because they were great herders, but Aussies rose to fame among the general population because of their frequent appearances in rodeos. Not only could Aussies help herd the bulls, they could also perform tricks.
While intelligent and hardworking, the Australian Shepherd can still be a goofy and loving family pet. If you are considering adding this handsome breed to your family, it is always important to know what illnesses are prevalent among the breed.
Dogs evolved from wolves. German shepherds, Australian shepherds, French poodles, even Mexican chihuahuas all trace their lineage to Canis lupus.
Aussies have a lush, medium-length coat that is straight or slightly wavy. They have feathering on the back of the legs and a generous mane around the neck. Coat colors vary and might be blue or red merle or red or black tricolor, all with white and/or tan markings.
Your Mini Yorkshire Aussie is a mix of the Miniature Australian Shepherd (or Mini American Shepherd) and Yorkshire Terrier and, as such, can take on the appearance traits of one or both of the parent breeds.
Descendants of Australian Shepherds were likely European herding dogs from the Basque region of the Pyrenees Mountains. These ancestors are thought to have been bred with the Border Collie and other herding dog breeds to create the Australian Shepherd we all know and love.
The Australian White was developed to be a self-replacing, haired, meat sheep that required minimal maintenance. The four breeds of sheep that were selected to develop the breed were chosen for specific traits they could bring to the breed. These breeds were the Poll Dorset, Texel, White Dorper and Van Rooy.
The islands were settled by different seafaring Melanesian cultures such as the Torres Strait Islanders over 2500 years ago, and cultural interactions continued via this route with the Aboriginal people of northeast Australia.
They conclude that, like most other living Eurasians, Aborigines descend from a single group of modern humans who swept out of Africa 50,000 to 60,000 years ago and then spread in different directions.
Australian English can be described as a new dialect that developed as a result of contact between people who spoke different, mutually intelligible, varieties of English. The very early form of Australian English would have been first spoken by the children of the colonists born into the early colony in Sydney.
Double coated dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies, Pomeranians, and Australian Shepherds have two layers of fur. The bottom layer, closest to the dogs skin, is very thick and dense. This layer is referred to as the "undercoat." The top layer is stiffer and usually coarser.
2. sheila – woman or female.
Aussies pride themselves on being good friends and neighbours, and not just to people they know. They tend to greet everyone from the mail carrier to the cab driver with a “g'day” or “how ya going?”. For Australians, this emphasis on mateship creates a cheery, welcoming attitude, and one that says anyone can be a mate.
According to our study, the average Australian is: 31.00% British. 28.62% Irish. 17.15% Western European (primarily French and German)
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
Female Australian Shepherds
It is suggested that females are also more sensitive and laid back. Because of this, they are said to have an easier personality to deal with. They've often got their agendas and will let you know what they want.