Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherds are usually characterised by their herding traits including being very intelligent, obedient, active, energetic and watchful. These traits now allow Australian Shepherds to be used as service dogs primarily in search and rescue, disability assistance and drug detection.

The athleticism and stamina of the pet Australian Shepherd requires physical and mental stimulation in the family environment, as with other working breeds. They respond well to reward-based training showing eagerness to learn. They have been known to enjoy a wide array of activities including agility, flyball and Frisbee which can help the dog bond with its family.

Their herding tendencies can impair this family bond as they may herd children (sometimes by nipping), chase moving vehicles, or bark. Australian Shepherds may also be suspicious of strangers, which implies some degree of low level fear or concern about them but socialisation from an early age diminishes the development of fear-based defensive aggression.

Australian Shepherd History:

The Australian Shepherd was developed into a working dog, purposefully to assist with the herding of animals. The Australian Shepherd was introduced into United States of America in the 1800s, along with the Basque Shepherds that emigrated from Australia. The origin of the Basques began in the Spanish Styrenes and the breed’s ancestry may be traced back to the Spanish Shepherd dogs that lived during the beginning of the United State’s colonisation. The population of the Australian Shepherds grew significantly following World War II and the breed gained popularity due to their role in rodeos, horse shows and rise in media attention. The breed was introduced to the UK in the 1980s and has seen a growth in popularity since.