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Australian Shepherd
Medium Breed
The Australian Shepherds natural good looks and obedient nature are increasing its popularity as a companion dog, whilst still being an excellent work dog on farms and ranches.
Breed standards
Country of origin
U.S.A.
Weight
Males 20-25kg / 45-55lbs;
Females 14-20 kg / 30-45 lbs (standards may vary)
Height
Males 51-58cm/ 18-21in;
Females 18-21cm/ 46-53in (standards may vary)
Coat
Straight to wavy and of medium length hair
Markings
Blue merle, black, red merle, and red. Some with white markings and/or tan points
Lifespan
Average, 10-12 years
Their affectionate and playful nature has lead to them being described as perpetual puppies, whilst remaining a protective guardian to those around them.
Temperament
The good-natured Australian Shepherd loves to play and will be happy around anyone willing to play with them. They are happy to be around children and are very friendly and affectionate. They are easy to train and, once trained, become good guardians with a protective nature. Though aggressive when working with livestock they are gentle with humans. Due to their lineage they need a lot of exercise and without this they can become easily bored if not physically and mentally stimulated. If this happens they can become nervous and destructive when left alone without having been exercised.
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PoorChildrenGood
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VeryCombativenessNot very
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VeryDominanceNot very
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Not veryFriendlinessGood
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Not veryIndependenceVery
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LoudNoiseQuiet
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Not veryTrainabilityVery
Good to know
Australian Shepherds are excellent working dogs with a fantastic temperament, this gives them the ability to work well and be a great companion dog. Their distinctive coat in a range of colours can be spectacular.
- Excellent with children
- No trimming or stripping needed
- Is happy in most climates
- Can act as a good guardian
- Excellent work dog with high intelligence
- Not suited to apartments, preferably needs a bigger than average yard or acreage
- Not a dog recommended for novice owners
- Needs daily physical activity and mental stimulation, or can become bored and destructive
- Can be susceptible to hip dysplasia and eye problems