Article From SubmitYOURArticle.com: Australian Shepherd Dog Breed Profile

Description: The Australian Shepherd is a medium
sized herding dog. The males are found to be 20
to 23 inches at the withers, with the females 2
inches less. This dog weighs between 40 and 65
pounds, depending on its sex. The Australian
Shepherd has a relatively long coat with a dense
undercoat. The coat can be found in a variety of
colors including blue merle, red, black, and red
merle. The dog's eyes can be amber, blue, or
brown. The tail is often naturally short, but is
sometimes docked. The Australian Shepherd lives
from 12 to 15 years. The Australian Shepherd is
also called the Blue Heeler, California Shepherd,
and Bob-Tail.

History: Oddly enough, despite its name, the
Australian Shepherd did not originate in
Australia. It had its origins in the Pyrenees
Mountains, somewhere between Spain and France.
Bred by Basques, the dog went with its owners
when they emigrated to Australia. During the
1800s, the Basques migrated again, this time to
the United States, and introduced the breed here.
Once here, the foundation stock was bred with
Collies to produce the dog with which we are
familiar today.

Temperament: The Australian Shepherd is a playful
energetic dog that needs to interact with its
human family. It is good with children and enjoys
active play with them. As with most working dogs,
the Shepherd is intelligent and easy to train.
This dog has a high energy demand and must be
given plenty of exercise. It originated as a
working dog and will be happiest if given some
'task', even if that task is running next to a
bicycle or learning agility skills.

Health Issues: One rather odd health issue with
the Australian Shepherd concerns any breeding
between two merle dogs. This crossing can
sometimes result in deafness or blindness in the
offspring. Care should be exercised to choose a
suitable mate for the merle dog. Serious spinal
problems can arise if bob-tail dogs are bred to
bob-tail dogs. The Shepherd can also suffer from
cataracts. Hip dysplasia and hypothyroidism can
also occur in this breed.

Grooming: The Australian Shepherd, despite its
rather long coat, does not require extensive
daily grooming. An occasional brushing will keep
the coat in good condition. The only exception to
this is when the undercoat is being shed. At this
time, the dog needs to be combed or brushed to
remove the loose hairs. The ears should be kept
clean and dry, and if the dog has been in running
through brushy areas, check for ticks and fleas.

Living Conditions: Although the Australian
Shepherd loves to be around its people, it is not
a suitable dog for living in an apartment, it is
much too active inside. If kept in a confined
situation, it will become bored and destructive.
An active family that loves outdoor sports and
activities is the best owner for this dog. The
Shepherd does very well on farms or ranches where
its guarding and herding instincts can be used.
This dog is capable of living outside, but as it
bonds closely with its human friends, it is best
kept near them.

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