The Australian Shepherd - Hard Working and Loveable Companion Dog

The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent, hard working and fiercely devoted dog that makes a wonderful pet for active people who love to interact with their animals. If you are a runner, walker or biker you will find the "Aussie" to be a tireless companion. Understanding the personality of these awesome dogs as well as being aware of the health problems that can occur will help you decide if the Australian Shepherd is the right dog for you or your family.

Intelligence and Temperament

Aussies are bred to be work dogs on ranches and farms so their herding instincts come naturally, even if they don't live anywhere near cattle or sheep. Given a group of people or young children to watch over the Aussie will corral everyone together to make sure all are safe and where they should be. They are natural workers who can run and play all day without tiring so it is important for Aussies to have plenty of exercise. Bred to make decisions while herding, the Aussie is highly intelligent. This intelligence in an untrained dog can be the very thing that gets the Aussie in trouble as they can easily outwit their owners. It is recommended that Aussies take obedience training so they can channel their natural desire to please in the right direction with their owner.

Aussies are loveable, loyal dogs who can be protective of their owner or family. While they are usually friendly, easy-going dogs, if not socialized properly they can become aggressive with strangers. Taking your Aussie for walks in the park or introducing many people into your home will help to keep your Aussie friendly and outgoing with people. Aussies are also good with young children, especially when introduced into the family as puppies. They have an innate understanding that young children are to be protected and cared for and will surprise you with how carefully they watch over them as they play in the yard. However, you should never leave very young children alone with any dog until you know how the dog will behave around them.

Aussies are easily housebroken, easy to train and willing to please. For this reason they have been used for many different jobs such as seeing-eye dogs, hearing aid dogs, police and narcotics dogs, search and rescue dogs, therapy dogs and utility dogs for the physically handicapped. Aussies love to have a job they feel useful in and their intelligence and versatility makes them the perfect choice for many jobs.

Because Aussies are highly active they can be trying on owners who do not have the time to spend with them. Without enough exercise and training, Aussies tend to channel their energy in destructive behaviors such as chewing and digging. People should consider carefully how much time they can spend with their dog before choosing an Australian Shepherd as a pet.

Overall, if you are an active person who wants to include a companion dog into your lifestyle the Aussie is perfect for you. Their high energy and easy-going attitude fits in perfectly with active owners and families on the go.

Size and Color

Aussies are bred to be a medium-sized dog with males weighing from 50-65 pounds and females weighing 40-55 pounds. They have a sturdy build but are fast on their feet and very coordinated. Aussies come in a variety of colors, the most acceptable being the Black Tri (black, white and tan or brown), Blue Merle (marbling of gray and black), Red Tri (red, brown, or cinnamon color with white and tan or copper) and Red Merle (marbling of red and silver or tan). Their fur can be short to medium on the top layer and is short and dense underneath. The fur is easy to care for and dries quickly when wet. An Aussie is born either with a bobbed tail or it can be docked at birth. Their eyes come in a variety of colors such as blue, hazel, amber and all shades of brown.

Health Concerns to Look for in a Puppy

Generally, a well-bred Australian Shepherd is healthy and will live for an average of 12 or more years if they are well-cared for. There are a few health concerns you should be aware of before bringing an Aussie home from the breeder. Many of these can be genetically transmitted, so it is important to ask the breeder questions about the puppy's parentage. The most common health conditions for Aussies are:

• Hip Dysplasia - Hip Dysplasia is a condition of the hip joint when the bones do not form properly. The result is a loose hip socket to thighbone connection which causes hip pain and lameness. While this is usually a genetic problem it can also occur if a puppy is grossly overweight while growing. Responsible breeders x-ray their breeding stock regularly to make sure they are not passing on this genetic disability. You can ask the breeder for certification that the parents do not have hip dysplasia to ensure your new puppy won't be inflicted with this problem.

• Eye Defects - Several eye defects can be inherited by Aussie pups if the parents are not continually tested and certified to have normal eye sight. Ocular coloboma, juvenile and senior cataracts, iris coloboma, detached retina, progressive retinal atrophy, persistent pupillary membrane and distichiasis are all eye defects that can be passed from parent to puppy. Request certification from the breeder that both the parents and the puppy have been examined and declared to have healthy eyes before purchasing a puppy. Puppies can have their eyes checked by the age of 6 weeks old.

• Epilepsy - Idiopathic Epilepsy (IE) is a problem that can occur through bloodlines in Australian Shepherds. Symptoms can be as small as staring off into space, facial twitches or muscle jerking or can be a full-fledged seizure. Responsible breeders should not breed dogs with a family history of this disease but it is always best to inquire about the family history to be safe. While (IE) can be treated, it can become very expensive and difficult for an owner that cannot care for a dog with health problems.

• Other Health Concerns - Other health concerns that are hereditary include heart disease, thyroid dysfunction, cancer, allergies that cause serious skin conditions and elbow dysplasia. It is important to ask the breeder as many questions as possible about the parents before deciding on a puppy. Heritage is important in getting a healthy puppy.

Australian Shepherds make wonderful pets for the right family or owner. By doing your homework about the breed and carefully choosing a breeder you are assured to bring home a happy, healthy and active puppy who will become a wonderful companion for years to come.