Other names

Aussie

Life expectancy

14 years

Age adult

32 months

Height (Shoulder height)

52 cm

Weight

25 kg

Coat texture

medium length / undercoat / wavy / short straight hair on the face / tail feathered / legs feathered / crest / trouser like

Coat color

blue merle, red merle, tricolor, black, red with and without white and/or copper-colored markings

Common illnesses

dysplasia of the hip joint / elbow dysplasia / MDR1 gene mutation / merle factor (deaf, blind, malformation) / progressive retina atrophy / degenerative myelopathy / neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis / Collie eye anomaly / iris coloboma / craniomandibular osteopathy / hereditary cataract / Pelger Huet anomaly

Food expenses per month in €

about € 57

Suitable for children

Rather not

Needs a garden

Rather not

Hunting motivated / needs alternative employment

Rather not

First dog suitable

Rather not

Allergy friendly

Rather not

Athletic

Attention

Care and grooming

Eager to learn

Exercise

Nature

sporting / vivacious / alert / intelligent / prone to barking / likes learning / tenacious / territorial / protective / attentive / loving / likes to work

Bred for

drive and shepherd sheep

Common illnesses

dysplasia of the hip joint / elbow dysplasia / MDR1 gene mutation / merle factor (deaf, blind, malformation) / progressive retina atrophy / degenerative myelopathy / neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis / Collie eye anomaly / iris coloboma / craniomandibular osteopathy / hereditary cataract / Pelger Huet anomaly

Dog type according to FCI

sheepdogs and cattledogs (exept swiss cattledogs)

FCI description

Shepherd dogs have the task to defend their herd from bear and wolf attacks. They are usually suspicious of strangers. Especially at dusk, when people go to rest, their instincts of defense and guarding become active. They are often insecure outside their territory. These animals need a task as working dogs. Shepherd dogs are not dependent on humans, because they must react independently and quickly to danger.

Cattledogs drive the cattle of the traders with a lot of barking, sometimes over long distances, to the market. They protect it from thieves and make sure that none escapes. These powerful, robust dogs have great assertiveness, because in certain situations they have to decide for themselves what to do.

Shepherd dogs emerged as agriculture grew and wolves were largely extinct. No longer protecting the independent, but keeping and driving the herd animals together without much barking became their tasks. They work together with the shepherd, have to react to his instructions as quick as lightning, but are also able to make their own decisions. They are fast, intelligent, agile, persevering and want to work.

Undemanded dogs in this group tend to have behavioural problems. Their instinct to keep the herd together is innate. For example, it happens that fast-moving children are tweaked into change. They need a clear, loving education, a task or a substitute task and are to be inspired for sporty activities.

Also, these animals must learn to come to rest. The active part is no problem for them, but if they are overstrained and do not come to rest, this can also lead to behavior problems.

Short description

The Australian Shepherd is an active and willing to work herding and cattle dog, that has a distinct guarding instinct. Around strangers he is rather sceptical and ready to defend. He is suitable with children when he grew up with children. He can be used as a family-dog but needs a firm and soft training. Owners should not underestimate his herding and protection instincts. He needs a lot of physical exercise and a purpose, otherwise this very vivid breed can develop unwanted behavior. Likewise, he may be prone to resource defence.