The Australian Shepherd is a breed of herding dog from the United States. The name of the breed is technically a misnomer, as it was developed in California in the 19th century, although it has its origins in Asturias, in the northwest of Spain; the breed was unknown in Australia at the time.
Vision problems, epilepsy, and cancers are the primary health concerns with this breed. Approximately 30% of all Australian Shepherds die due to cancer or cancer-related problems. The Australian Shepherd has a lifespan of around 11 - 13 years, which is not uncommon for a dog of its size.
The Australian Shepherd reaches his senior stage when he is 10 years old or older. Now is the period when your Aussie may not be able to run as quickly or jump as high as they once could.
The oldest known dog (according to Guiness) was an Australian Shepherd named Bluey who lived to the ripe old age of 29 years 5 months before being euthanized in November 1939.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age. But don't worry!
Adult Australian Shepherds need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, depending on how much energy they burn during the day.
Their average life expectancy is 12 to 15 years. As with any dog, some can have a longer life span than others depending regardless of their sex. Male Australian Shepherds can be more prone to certain health conditions than females. As an example, male Aussies have a high rate of testicular cancer and prostate issues.
Alone Time
While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
Your Australian Shepherd will need a minimum of two hours exercise every day, but the more you can give them the better. This should be split into two fairly long walks, with plenty of time to stop and have a sniff, along with the chance to run around off-lead in a secure area.
Australian Shepherd Health Issues. Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. However, they are predisposed to a few health issues more common to the breed.
According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), most purebred dogs live 8-15 years. So, the Australian shepherd's life expectancy of 12-15 years is near the upper limit. They are very long-lived dogs. But to truly compare apples to apples, we need to compare Australian shepherd dogs to other dogs of the same size.
Cancer is the leading cause of death in dogs, and unfortunately, the symptoms are frequently not recognized until it is too late.
Pitbulls (10.3 per cent) topped the list for the most dog attacks in Australia.
Aussies may become frightened or aggressive when they encounter unexpected people or animals if they are not properly socialized. Australian Shepherds require training as well. Because these dogs are bright and eager to please, they are typically simple to teach.
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy.
The Aussie's desire to cuddle
Dogs in general are known for being happy, cuddly, sweet, and soothing for a human to pet. Some breeds are, by nature, more affectionate than others. While the Aussie will typically reserve cuddling for one person or a group of trusted people, sometimes he won't want to cuddle at all.
Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living. Medium-large-sized homes with gardens are best, but they can do well in smaller homes, too. Just so long as they get everything they need to be happy and healthy!
They're a very devoted breed and highly intelligent. Australian shepherds bond with their owners and family and take their role as guardians seriously. This can cause them to be protective, but also aggressive toward things they perceive as a threat if they're not properly socialized and trained.
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.
As a puppy, at least once every hour, maybe every 2 hours in some instances. By the time your Australian Shepherd is all grown up, he should be outside 3 to 5 times every day.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.
Loyal. Aussies are very smart, loyal, and love having someone to be with at all times. Loyalty is a necessary trait for any service dog. Besides being extremely friendly and energetic, Aussies are usually very easy to train and can make great emotional support animals or service dogs.