Everything You Need To Know About The Australian Shepherd Dog
Before you decide to purchase an Australian sheepdog, you should know a few important details.
These include: Body type and Temperament, Health problems, and Exercise requirements. Here, you’ll learn about all the features of this breed.
After you’ve read through this article, you’ll be able to decide if this is the dog for you! And if so, congratulations!
Body
Australian cattle dogs are well-known for their intelligence, agility, and work ethic.
These dogs are fast and strong, with sturdy, compact bodies. Their ancestry goes back to the dingos.
These dogs’ bodies are composed of a solid frame with a long, stocky neck and strong shoulders.
Their coats are short and bristly with a soft undercoat. Typical Australian cattle dogs weigh between 35 and 50 pounds.
The Australian Shepherd is the largest breed of cattle dog, ranging in height from paw to shoulder. Blue Heelers are smaller, weighing an average of 47 pounds.
Despite their larger size, these dogs are still relatively healthy and should be exercised at least 14 miles per week.
If you have a large yard, consider getting an Australian Shepherd mixed with a Blue Heeler mix. This breed enjoys hiking and dog parks, and will happily go anywhere you do.
Despite their hardy lives, Australian Cattle Dogs need regular attention. They must be properly groomed, with regular baths, but only if their coat is excessively matted.
Unless they are playing in the mud, Australian cattle dogs may also need occasional baths. Regular nail trimming is also necessary, as they are notoriously rough workers.
They can sustain eye injuries while working and may develop progressive retinal atrophy if it is not treated properly.
Temperament
The Australian Cattle Dog is an independent, loyal and hardworking breed.
They require plenty of exercises and human interaction. Australian cattle dogs are not suited to apartment living and do best on a farm or ranch.
Because of their thick, woolly coat, these dogs need a lot of grooming. They do not like to be left home alone for long periods.
If they are left alone for too long, they will become destructive. The temperament of the Australian Shepherd varies depending on the type of environment and the owners’ lifestyle.
A puppy with a good temperament is curious, playful, and willing to approach and be held by humans. Otherwise, a puppy with a bad temperament is likely to be misbehaved.
However, if you’re considering purchasing a puppy, meet its parents and siblings. You can use these traits to your advantage.
Despite the fact that Australian cattle dogs require a large space, they thrive when given a job.
While male Australian cattle dogs are larger than females, they are still very energetic and require a large space for exercise.
A well-rounded, solid frame, a merle-colored coat, and a low tail are some of the most common characteristics of the breed.
This breed can live anywhere from twelve to sixteen years. There is even a dog in the world with the longest life span, Bluey.
Exercise Needs
The Australian Shepherd Cattle Dog requires daily exercise to stay healthy and happy.
The average Aussie needs about half an hour of vigorous activity a day. You can engage him in activities such as agility and obedience training.
Playing puzzle toys with him can also provide him with mental stimulation. Puppies do not need as much hard exercise as adults.
You should not let him run on hard surfaces or jump until he is a year old, as this can stress his growing skeletal system and cause future joint problems.
The Australian Shepherd is a highly energetic and active breed. To make sure your dog stays fit and healthy, you should schedule at least two hours of exercise each day.
Otherwise, the Aussie may become high-strung, destructive, or snappy. Australian Shepherds have an incredible amount of energy and need an outlet for it.
You can encourage them to participate in activities like agility or games of fetch. Off-leash playtime can be a great way to keep them busy and happy.
The exercise needs of the Australian Cattle Dog vary with age and life stage. While puppies are still young and need a small amount of exercise, adult cattle dogs require one to two hours of exercise each day.
A regular walking program of ten to twenty minutes will keep them physically and mentally stimulated.
Likewise, you can take your dog hiking with you and spend some time with the dog in the dog park.
These dogs are loyal to their owners and will not bark at your children, so you need to give them the daily exercise they need.
Health Problems
The most common inherited health problem of the Australian Shepard is cataracts.
This genetic disease may occur in puppies or older dogs. It is often triggered by an abnormality in the HSF4 gene.
Cataracts in Aussies can cause blindness and may occur early or late in life. Cataracts begin presenting symptoms around two years of age, and the progression of the disease is variable.
The prevalence of Australian Shepherd health problems varies from breed to breed.
Breeders should be willing to talk to prospective buyers about the prevalence of different genetic and nongenetic conditions in the breed.
Although some of these problems are difficult to detect in young puppies, reputable breeders should be able to provide proof of health screening for the Australian Shepherd breed.
Listed below are some common musculoskeletal conditions of the Australian Shepherd.
Lymphoma is a type of cancer affecting Australian Shepards more than other breeds. It results in abnormal lymphocytes, or white blood cells, throughout the body.
Fortunately, this disease is treatable. Chemotherapy has a high success rate. A blood test may be required to detect lymphoma.
A veterinarian will most likely recommend a complete blood count twice a year for your dog.
Colors
The different colors of the Australian Cattle Dog are due to their markings, which set them apart from other breeds.
Although white is not specifically mentioned in the breed standard, it does exist. This color is produced by intermingling the black and white hairs.
This combination is called “blue” by fans of the breed. However, this color may not be found in every dog. Here are some common examples of Australian Cattle Dog colors.
Merle – The merle coat color of the Australian Shepherd is becoming more popular, and there is a good reason for that.
It creates an individualistic sense of character, and the dog may have a different color eye than the other three.
While the Australian Shepherd is recognized in four different colors, the Australian Cattle dog can be distinguished by six different colors.
Merles are more common and tend to have larger patches of color. Black, red, and brown are the common colors of the Australian cattle dog, but it is also possible to get this color with white and red markings.
The Australian cattle dog is a working cattle dog with a variety of physical and mental traits that make it a great choice for pet owners.
It is an extremely hard-working breed that has a long history in Australia. However, it should not be confused with other breeds as it has a unique color.
Origins
The Australian Shepherd, or Aussie, is a breed of cattle dog that was bred by farmers in the Rocky Mountains and was not harmed by altitude.
Many ranchers from Boulder, Colorado, began breeding the breed and sold them to people as far away as California.
Although the exact origins of the breed are unclear, the majority of Australian Shepherds are blue merle. Because of this, the breed’s name became associated with blue merle dogs.
The Australian Shepherd’s origins go back to the late 1800s when European settlers brought their favorite herding dogs to the new continent.
These immigrants had flocks of sheep from many European countries, including many from Australia. These newcomers were able to use the dogs to herd the sheep.
Although there is no concrete evidence to prove that they brought Australian herding dogs with them, the Basques’ descendants did bring the dogs to the New World.
The Australian Cattle dog has similar characteristics to the Scottish Collie but has a shorter muzzle and smaller, floppy ears.
The tail of the Australian Cattle Dog is also naturally docked. While the Australian Cattle Dog retains the wild look of its dingo ancestor, the breed has retained its traits from its wild ancestor.
As a result, the breed is both adorable and extremely loyal to its family.
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