Have you ever heard of the Australian Shepherd? Despite its name, this large dog breed originated in the United States and has everything to win you over, especially if what you are looking for is a loyal friend, companion and with energy to spare. But before buying or adopting a dog of this breed, it is important to get to know it a little more thoroughly. To help you with this, we have prepared an article full of information.of important information about the Australian dog: origin, physical characteristics, personality and main care of the breed. Enough more!

The Australian Shepherd dog originated in the United States

Unlike its name, the Australian Shepherd does not have Australia as its homeland. It is believed that the Australian Shepherd is descended from a line of herding dogs and, therefore, would have come from the Pyrenees region in southwestern Europe, between the regions of France and Spain. Precisely in this region, the Australian Shepherd began to work in pasture functions. WithSo you might be wondering: why is it called the Australian Shepherd anyway? It turns out that during the colonization of Australia, many people migrated to new lands in search of richer pastures. After settling in the region, they were largely responsible for perfecting the characteristics and breed traits needed to create an ideal dog for work in the field.farms, giving rise to the Australian Shepherd we know today.

Get to know some physical characteristics of the Australian dog breed

The coat of the Australian Shepherd is the physical characteristic that most draws attention to the dog of this breed. With an inner layer whose thickness varies according to the seasons, the semi-long coat of the Australian dog can be erect or wavy, and the hair on the head is always short and smooth. Another differential of the coat is its color variation, which can have shades of black,Generally, the Aussie dog has white hair from the chest to the neck, on the inside of the paws and on the muzzle. In addition, the eyes of this breed can have varying shades of brown, green, blue and amber.

When it comes to the physical aspect, the Australian Shepherd is a large dog full of elegance. Its body is strong and the extra charm is due to the ears that gather imitating the shape of a rose when the animal is alert. The height of the Australian Shepherd varies from 46 to 58 centimeters, while the weight of the dog can be between 16 and 32 kilos - males being larger than females.

Australian Shepherd and Border Collie: understand the difference between the two breeds

It is not difficult to find people who confuse the Australian Shepherd and the Border Collie. The truth is that these dog breeds are, in fact, quite similar. However, there are some subtle characteristics that are able to differentiate the two dogs. The coat, for example, is one of them. The Australian Shepherd has hair with more diverse colors than the Border Collie, which is restricted to tonesIn addition, the temperament of the two dogs also have some differences, such as the energy level. The Australian Shepherd tends to have a lower dose of energy when compared to the Border Collie.

What is the personality of the Australian Shepherd like?

The Australian Shepherd is loving, intelligent and sociable with the people he meets. Although he was initially bred to be a herding dog and has an intimidating build, the breed has also developed a very loyal and companionable personality to his humans - so don't be surprised if he turns into your shadow, okay? Precisely because he is attached, he does not usually react very well to strangers andalways seeks to defend their guardians - or people close to them - until they feel comfortable with the "intruder". Therefore, it is important to keep in mind that gaining a puppy's trust is far from an easy task. In this case, positive training and correct socialization as a puppy can help improve this canine behavior.

Other personality traits of the Australian Shepherd are their sense of humour and willingness to play. The Australian Shepherd is always up for a romp and hardly tires with a few minutes of activity, which makes them a great companion for families with children at home.

Basic care for the Australian dog

- Bathing and grooming: Because their skin is drier than normal, the Australian Shepherd does not require such a frequent bathing routine. One bath a month is the ideal frequency to keep your friend clean and healthy. Otherwise, the result may be quite different from what is expected and the animal may suffer from dryness and hair loss.

As for brushing, once a week is enough to make the dog's coat beautiful and well cared for. In this way, it is possible to remove all impurities, but without major concerns, since the Australian Shepherd does not usually shed much hair.

- Food: Dog food is the main way to take care of the animal's health and it is clear that with the Australian Shepherd it is no different. As it is a large dog, it is important that the guardian seeks a food with the right amount of nutrients for the animal. In addition, it is worth remembering that during the pet's childhood, it is necessary to invest in a specific food for puppies to ensure a good health.If in doubt, you can (and should!) consult a trusted veterinarian.

- Physical exercise and daily activities: Like all herding dogs, the Australian Shepherd is very active and athletic, which makes him a real energy tank. Precisely for this reason, he requires long physical exercises to stay healthy. So, be prepared for daily walks and don't be surprised if they turn into a real marathon. Also, it is worth remembering that, although he can adapt to apartments and small houseswhen properly exercised, this is an animal that needs space to have a good quality of life.

Australian Shepherd health: everything you need to know

In general, the Australian Shepherd is usually very healthy. Still, some health conditions are common in the breed, such as cataracts. The condition, which causes opacity and loss of vision, is usually related to hereditary inheritance. Another common eye disease of the Australian Shepherd dog breed is progressive retinal atrophy, which compromises the cells of the retina until blindness. In addition,hip dysplasia, which impairs the animal's locomotion, is also a disease quite characteristic of the breed. To prevent, diagnose and treat any of these pathologies, it is necessary to consult a veterinarian regularly. Only the help of a professional in the field can ensure that your puppy is strong and healthy.

Australian Shepherd: buying a dog of this breed requires financial planning

After discovering all the characteristics of the Australian Shepherd, you must be wondering how much a puppy of this breed costs, right? Although it is entirely possible to find it in some kennels, the Australian dog requires financial planning, since a puppy of the breed can cost between R $ 2.500 and R $ 5.000, depending on the lineage of the animal. Therefore, it is important to organize yourselfand search for trustworthy places before acquiring an Australian Shepherd dog.