Intelligent and very alert, the Australian Shepherd gives complete devotion to his owner. All he asks in return is the chance to work. He was bred to herd livestock, and is serious and single-minded about his job. If he sees sheep, geese, chickens, goats, ducks—even a group of children—he’ll immediately start herding. 

The Aussie is unhappy if he does not get enough exercise and purposeful activity. He loves to play ball, catch flying disks, and participate in obedience, agility, tracking, herding, and carting events. He’s always ready to go on a hike and is happy to carry his own supplies in his pack.  The Australian Shepherd’s water-resistant coat enables him to adapt to various conditions and to work long hours in foul weather. Coat color is black, blue merle, red merle, and red with or without white markings and/or tan points.

Excerpts from the Standard

General Appearance: Confident, strong desire to work, reserved with strangers, intelligent, trainable, curious, loyal to owner.

Size, Proportion, and Substance: Height—18 to 23 inches at the withers. Weight—45 to 60 pounds.

Fun Facts

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd did not originate in Australia. Descended from herding dogs used over 12,000 years ago, the Aussie might have evolved from several herding breeds that came to America with early settlers from Europe. Another version says the breed originated in Spain, went to Australia, then came to California during the Gold Rush of 1849.

Excerpted from The Complete Dog Book For Kids © 1996, John Wiley & Sons, Inc.