The Australian Shepherd is considered to have originated in the United States. They trace their roots back to Basque shepherds from the western coast of Cahuenga Valley (present-day Hollywood) and were crossbred with other herding dog breeds within the USA. Australian Shepherds gained popularity after the end of World War II. Their versatility, herding instinct, intelligence, and ease of training made them ideal working dogs on farms and ranches. The breed experienced its greatest development thanks to cattle and sheep breeders.
In 1957, the first Australian Shepherd was registered in the USA, a female named Hart’s Panda. Aussies appeared in Poland in 1995, and the first registration with the Kennel Club of Poland (Związek Kynologiczny w Polsce - ZKwP) was in 1999. The breed's name, or more specifically, its nickname "Australian," did not arise from its origin but rather from its utility - it was designed for herding Merino sheep imported to the United States from Australia.
Australian Shepherds can be divided into two, or more precisely, three functional types - working, show, and versatility, which is a hybrid of the first two types, although it does not appear in official breed standards. What distinguishes these types is their origin (breeding line), not their purpose (job performed) or temperament.
In addition to their high intelligence, reliability, and willingness to perform tasks, Aussies are also energetic, cheerful dogs with a guarding instinct and high emotional sensitivity. They are decidedly a breed that is very human-oriented, not independent, and will always strive to make their handler happy. One could say they are a "shadow of their human" - wherever you go, they go - in the bathroom, kitchen, on the couch, just to have you in sight and feel your closeness. Towards strangers, however, they tend to be somewhat distrustful, but without aggression, and after a brief acquaintance, they love with the greatest affection. Some individuals like to vocalize (bark, whine, talk).
Regular engagement in various activities, proper training, mental stimulation, and adequate time and attention are essential when living with an Australian Shepherd. Otherwise, unmet needs may lead to problems and ultimately result in frustration and destructive tendencies. Australian Shepherds are highly creative, so considerable emphasis should be placed on their proper upbringing and handling.
There are many activities in which an Australian Shepherd excels. Due to their versatility, they can engage in various activities and participate in dog sports both at an amateur and advanced level. Their herding instinct makes them well-suited for work on farms, herding, and guarding livestock. They also perform exceptionally well in agility due to their speed and agility, frisbee for their jumping ability and agility, obedience due to their high intelligence and task-oriented nature, nosework, mantrailing, water rescue, bikejoring, dog trekking, IPO defense, and dog therapy.
The Aussie's coat also requires regular maintenance. This breed has a lush coat and an undercoat, so regular bathing, brushing, and blowing (drying) are necessary. Otherwise, you might end up with a new (not necessarily wanted) rug on your floor every week :)
The Australian Shepherd is, by nature, a healthy and disease-resistant breed, enjoying a long life (approximately 12-15 years).
Genetic diseases can be a concern in Aussies, emphasizing the importance of conducting tests and selecting individuals for breeding that are free from diseases or where only one parent is a carrier of a disease (carrier does not necessarily mean the dog is affected +/−), resulting in all offspring being healthy. Diseases that commonly appear include eye conditions such as cataracts (HSF4), collie eye anomaly (CEA), and progressive retinal atrophy (PRA). However, preventive measures or early detection can be achieved through annual clinical eye examinations certified by ECVO.
Other diseases that may occur in the breed include epilepsy, cancer, autoimmune, and neurodegenerative diseases (Degenerative Myelopathy - DM and Neuronal Ceroid Lipofuscinosis - NCL). Another clinical test performed on Australian Shepherds involves X-rays of hip and elbow joints and the spine. It should be noted, however, that dysplasia is hereditary to a moderate degree. The most crucial factor in preventing musculoskeletal diseases is ensuring the appropriate surface on which the dog moves, especially in the puppy stage (slippery floors), a well-balanced diet rich in nutrients, and engaging in appropriately chosen activities during the growth period.
Australian Shepherds also carry a mutation in the MDR1 gene, which is not a disease but causes sensitivity to certain medications. A "clear"/"healthy" dog (+/+) in the genetic panel can still react to drugs in this group. Carriers of this mutation (+/−) show partial resistance, while "affected" dogs (−/−) are undoubtedly sensitive to these drugs. Therefore, conducting genetic tests is crucial to determine whether a dog is "clear", a carrier, or "affected". This information is vital for treatment, and veterinarians should be informed of the MDR1 gene mutation BEFORE starting medication to use suitable alternatives.
Aussies are a breed in which a gene responsible for the Natural Bob Tail (NBT) is present, resulting in different tail lengths - from a complete absence to very short, partial, or long, full tails.
There are 16 coat colors found in Australian Shepherds, with black and red being predominant. Each can have white markings or tan points, or both (tricolor). The "merle" gene is also present, responsible for unique marbled coats - blue merle (derived from black coat) and red merle (from red coat). In this case, variations include having white markings, tan points, or both.
In addition to diseases directly associated with the breed, it's essential to be aware that other conditions may occur, such as malocclusion (overbite, underbite) or missing teeth, improper posture of hind legs, or rickets in front legs, and cryptorchidism. It's important to note that there are no perfect, "flawless" dogs. However, selecting the right breeder who is aware of prevalent diseases and possesses the knowledge to selectively choose appropriate individuals for breeding can minimize the impact of these genes on a dog's life.
