THE PAW CATALOG
Origin: United States of America
The name is misleading: the breed originated in the 19th century in California and the wider US West, where it was prized by cattlemen and sheepherders. Its ancestors are considered to be Spanish sheepdogs and herding dogs, which were brought along with sheep from Australia and New Zealand, hence the "Australian". Until the middle of the 20th century, dogs mostly stayed on ranches, and rodeo performances brought them wide popularity. Now the breed is recognized by American clubs and FCI.
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized herding dog that grew up not in Australia, but in the western United States. Hardworking, quick learner and attached to the family, but needs daily exercise for both body and mind. Without it, energy finds an outlet in running after children, barking and destroying things. This is a breed for an active family that is ready to invest in training for years.
A city apartment is possible only if there are long daily walks, classes and work for the head. A country yard by itself does not solve the problem: a dog without a task will be bored there as well. The Australian Shepherd is attached to the family, so it should not be kept alone or on a chain for a long time. She can hardly tolerate inactivity, but calms down well when she receives a reasonable load.
An adult healthy dog needs daily long walks and mental tasks: search, dexterity, obedience, games with finding a toy. Just jogging without a task is usually not enough. For puppies and older dogs, the load is adjusted with the veterinarian, especially when it comes to jumping and long runs.
The breed is very capable, quickly learns the rules and just as quickly learns unwanted habits if they are not controlled. Short, varied sessions with a reward work best: the dog willingly participates in obedience, agility and herding exercises. The herding instinct can manifest itself as chasing children, bicycles or other dogs, so calmness and calling are trained from the beginning.
The coat is of medium length, with a thick undercoat, so for order it is enough to comb it about twice a week, and more often during shedding. Note the feathers on her hind legs and behind her ears where she goes astray. Check the skin, ears, claws and eyes every time you groom the coat, and brush the teeth regularly. Bathe as needed, because the undercoat takes a long time to dry.
The dog is usually attached to children and willingly plays with them, but the shepherd's instinct can make it "collect" children: pull their clothes or bite their heels. Such attempts should be stopped and directed into playing with a toy. An adult should watch the game, and the child should know that the dog needs a separate corner for rest and food.
She is gradually introduced to other dogs. The owner should be prepared that the breed may try to control the movement of other animals, including cats. Early socialization helps, but in some dogs the herding instinct remains strong, so play with small animals is controlled.
Estimates help compare breeds. For zooaggression, 5/5 means less tendency to aggression towards dogs. The behavior and health of a particular dog depend on many factors.
The dog becomes attached to the family, but does not always show it violently. The level of contact depends on the socialization and experience of a particular dog, so you should not expect the same devotion from each representative.
A high score reflects the breed's ability to quickly learn commands and willingly work with a person. Short, varied activities in which the dog has a task work best. Training with reward gives a better result than force pressure.
An average score means that the attitude towards other animals depends on the dog. A herding motivation can manifest itself in attempts to manage cats, dogs or small animals, so early socialization and supervision during introductions are important.
British data (median life expectancy 13.7 years, 62 deaths) indicate good indicators, although the sample is small. Among the described risks: hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts. Sensitivity to some drugs (MDR1 mutation) is noted separately. Confirm the results of the parents' examinations with the breeder and the veterinarian.
Average rating: the coat is combed about twice a week, and more often during the molting period. Added to this are daily activities and mental tasks, without which the dog quickly becomes bored.
The disease, when the joint is formed incorrectly, can manifest itself in lameness and pain. Prevalence is low for this breed, but parents are X-rayed according to club recommendations. The veterinarian determines the need for examinations.
Seizures do occur in the breed, so ask the breeder about cases of epilepsy in the line. Diagnosis and treatment are determined by a veterinarian. Apart from this, it is worth knowing about the sensitivity to some drugs: there is a DNA test for the MDR1 mutation for the breed.
Cataracts can be detected during an eye examination. Ask about the results of both parents' eye tests before buying, and have eye exams as adults on the advice of a vet.
