I am an Australian Shepherd. Regardless of what my name suggests, I am not from Australia; I originated in the western United States around the 1840s. People often call me Aussie, and I was initially bred to herd livestock. My working nature has not changed much, and I am still a working dog at heart. In fact, I am the happiest when I am on the job. And dog sports are the best ways to channel my energy.
The Australian Shepherd is likely to a dominant role in the family, if not handled properly. Hence, it is not the right breed for first-time owners. In addition to that, like most herding dogs, this breed is loyal by nature to owners and family but vary of strangers. Additionally, it has to be a part of every family activity that is going on. In other words, it requires an active lifestyle to be happy.
What’s more, the Australian Shepherd is a brilliant, adaptable, and energetic dog breed. In fact, this breed thinks a lot before making a decision. On top of that, it is very punctual and big on consistency. Australian Shepherd likes to do things at the same time every day. Owners cannot change the day-to-day schedule very easily.
The Australian Shepherd is not meant for apartment living, and it is quite sensitive. Plus, it has a tendency to bark and howl. Thus, it won’t sit well with the neighbors. Moreover, this breed can tolerate both the hot and cold seasons. The Australian Shepherd is quite good with children and other dog breeds. It will shed but grooming this breed is also straightforward.
In terms of sizes, the male Australian Shepherd can stand about 51-58cm, while the female can be up to 54cm tall. Plus, the male can weigh around 40-70lbs, and the female can weight around 35-65 lbs.
The Australian Shepherd is full of energy and likes to be involved in many physical exercises such a playing Frisbee. Furthermore, owners might want this breed to get involved in daily obedience training or competing in agility trials.
The Australian Shepherd is a highly active dog and requires plenty of physical activities. To be specific, this breed needs roughly 30-60 minutes of regular exercise. Hence, if you plan to own this breed, be prepared to spend a lot of time training Aussie.