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Aussies are very agile. They excel in pet sports such as frisbee, agility, and flyball. They have a medium coat and may have either straight or wavy hair. Aussies can have either brown or blue eyes; it is not uncommon to see one with two different eye colors.
In addition to herding and farm work, Australian Shepherds have been used for search and rescue, police work, therapy work, and aid to blind, deaf, or otherwise physically disabled people. They are valued family pets but require a high level of activity.
Their high intelligence level is what makes them paw-sitively amazing at their job; herding livestock! Now of course, the Aussie is talented at many other things as well besides herding, such as obedience, agility courses, and being a down right fantastic companion dog.
Australian Shepherd History
Their Pyrenean Shepherds crossbred with other working dogs, including Collies and Border Collies, creating the modern version of the Australian Shepherd.
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.
Aussies with blue and red merle coats tend to be more expensive than most of the other color variations. Although blue merles are the most common coats for Aussies, they're also one of the most highly sought after.
Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. 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.
Will there come a point in your Aussie's life when they relax a little? If so, when? 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.
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
Aussies are known to bare teeth when they smile, one of only a few breeds to do so. Although they are not obsessive barkers, they will bark to protect their property, and warn you of nearby activity.
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.
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.
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy.
Australian Shepherds tend to whine for all sorts of reasons, such as to get your attention or if they're sick or injured. If you can rule out a medical condition, then the next step to quiet your Aussie is to train them not to whine. Failing to indulge in their bad behavior will clue them in to stop.
Adult Australian Shepherds need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, depending on how much energy they burn during the day.
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! It winds down gradually and gets less “naughty” as they grow and learn, and Mini Aussies are quick learners.
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.
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.
About the Breed
Being a medium-sized dog, Australian Shepherds, on average, weigh between 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches in height. Their expected lifespan is 12-15 years.
The solid red coat of an Australian shepherd is the rarest color. 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.
The Australian Shepherd is one of a few dog breeds that commonly have two different colored eyes, called heterochromia. Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes. Some Aussies even display more than one color within the same eye.
Heterochromia is caused by a lack of the pigment melanin in all or part of one eye. In dogs with heterochromia, the lack of melanin causes one of their eyes to appear blue or bluish-white. Heterochromia in dogs is often hereditary, meaning it is passed through their genetic makeup.