Australian Shepherd: what is it?

The Australian Shepherd is a sheepdog.

Australian Shepherd: size, weight and hair (red, blue merle …)

It weighs 20 to 25 kg and measures 46 to 58 cm. Its hair is long, straight and wavy. He can wear different colors (black, brown, red, merle blue) with or without spots. The coat of an individual showing an excess of white markings is said to be ” invasive white “.

The Australian Shepherd falls under the category of large dogs, its body is quite long. His skull is wide and long, its ears drooping and this dog may have the eyes brown or amber and blue.

Dogs with excessively white variegated coats are generally healthy, but breed standards limit the amount of white markings an Australian Shepherd is expected to have. Regular brushing helps maintain your hair. The eyes are of different colors.

Contrary to what its name suggests, the Australian Shepherd does not come from Australia. The race was developed in the United States for use as a sheepdog for farms or ranches. The ancestors of Australian Shepherds are basque shepherd dogs.

The Australian Shepherd is nicknamed “Aussie”.

Australian Shepherd character

the Australian shepherd is a very active, resistant, fast dog, clever, which can travel long distances. As a herd keeper, he can guide sheep from one place to another. He doesn’t really like apartment life. He must be scheduled outings several times a day because he needs to practice an activity physical with his master.

Affectionate and loyal, he fits well in a family with children and makes a good watch dog or company. For the safety of its owner, it can deter people who might want to enter the property by barking. It’s a dog who can’t stand loneliness.

Food

It is recommended to feed the Australian Shepherd with quality kibble so that he can have the necessary nutritional contributions. It is a dog who needs a balanced diet. Preparing dishes yourself is possible for people who have knowledge on this subject, otherwise this diet could cause deficiencies or excess. The amount of kibble to give per day depends on the physical activity of the Australian Shepherd as well as his metabolism. Generally, we recommend about 300 to 400 g of kibble per day which is divided into two meals.

The kibbles have the advantage of being more economical, the conservation is easy and this food makes it possible to limit the appearance of tartar on the teeth of the Australian Shepherd. They are designed by specialists who have integrated all nutrients necessary for dogs. Choose premium kibbles rich in protein is important to contribute to the good health of our animals.

Pets are often greedy and this is the case of this large dog who loves treats! For the education of the Australian Shepherd, food is often a good source of motivation, it allows to generate enthusiasm, concentration and to attract the attention of the animal. However, it is important to use the treats sparingly for the health of our animals.

Australian Shepherd puppies need specific complete nutrition for good growth.

Australian Shepherd Education

Australian Shepherds are very enthusiastic and love to respond to requests from the master. However, they need a suitable education, the relationship must be based on trust and the principles of positive education must be respected. Mutual respect is a key point in creating a good relationship with the dog. The master must be firm and consistent from an early age of the Australian Shepherd. It is a dog that can tend to be stubborn but the cohabitation will be harmonious thanks to a successful education and various learning until at least the age of its 18 months.

The education of these dogs requires a lot of rigor and consistency. Puppies must be educated upon their arrival in the home. The first learnings can be the most basic such as waiting positions, recall, management of frustration …

The most difficult will be to channel theenergy of the Australian Shepherd but he is a dog who loves to learn and his education will be rather easy. The game is perfect for his education, it is both fun and educational.

Health

Health is often a priority for our animals and this is the reason why we must take an interest in it to take care of our precious companions. The Australian Shepherd is ideally brushed once a week to remove dead hair and allow its skin to breathe. It should not be washed frequently, only when necessary to best preserve its fur and skin.

Regularly, you should check the condition of your ears, especially after a walk. It is advisable to deworm the Australian Shepherd 3 times a year and to vaccinate him every year. For the health of your dog, you should absolutely not use Ivermectin-based dewormer!

This breed of dog has a life expectancy 13 years old. The Australian Shepherd is sensitive to certain health problems including hips, back, ofatrophy progressive, ofepilepsy… It is all the same a robust and resistant dog capable of working all day long with its master!