characteristics

Australian Shepherds are one of the most versatile breeds in the dog kingdom today. Though their name would automaticallly lead one to believe that they came from Australia, the evidence is inconclusive & thus their origins remain clouded. Some believe they came from Australia, while others believe they originated in Spain. What is known is that the cattle ranchers and shepherds of the Western United States played a major role in the history of the Aussie. As times changed and the children from the ranchers and shepherds grew up and moved away to new ways of living in urban areas, they remembered the faithful blue dogs from their childhood. They went back to the country to get a "friend" from the past...this is when the Aussie's true versatility and unique characteristics began to show.

The characteristics and temperament of Aussies are unique in many ways. Aussies, though normally silent working dogs, are very vocal when playing with other dogs & companions. When they are happy to see you or you are praising them they will make a singing noise, talking to you in various degrees of sound from a deep howl to almost a shrill whine. Their bark usually has a howl-like sound and many Aussies have a tendency to grin. The grin can be from a slight curling at the corners of their lips to a full-fledged curling showing their teeth like a snarl. The grin is usually accompanied with a wagging of their bobbed tail or wiggling of the body & squinting of the eyes. Some Aussies snap their teeth together making a clicking noise when they are happy or excited. To get your attention they will use a myriad of various methods such as pushing their nose up under your arm or hand, bumping you on the back of your leg with their nose as you walk & they will even strike you with their paw. Aussies are very handy in using their front feet; not only will they want to put their paw on your knee for attention, they will use them while playing with their companions or their toys. They also use their front legs and feet to wash their faces like a cat & to hold their bones while chewing. Many will cross their front legs while lying down.

Aussies like to put their head on objects such as chair rungs, rocks & your feet. If allowed up on a couch, they will take full advantage of a pillow, using it just like we would. Outside, especially in warm weather, they will dig a bed in the ground & leave a nice rim to put their head on. Even though they will dig, play in water & get dirt on them, they are in fact a very clean dog, spending a good amount of time licking themselves & others clean. They enjoy grooming their companions by itching & licking. The mother will clean her puppies & herself at great length. Because Aussies are so clean they are easily housebroken. They make excellent house companions provided they receive enough exercise each day. They are very playful & love to race & jump with other dogs they know. They will stalk the other dog, often using their innate eye & then suddenly they will charge the other dog & try to roll it or just wrestle. They will play with you as well & will enjoy it immensely. They are a very athletic dog & can leap to great heights, either over fences or straight up & down, as high as six feet or higher, like a yo-yo. They will even climb trees, fences or ladders.

The Aussie has a natural love for water. An Aussie will swim in a pond or up & down a creek for the sheer delight of swimming. Some will splash the water on purpose & try to catch the splashes. They love to retrieve sticks & balls thrown into the water & will actually dive to find the objects. They will plunge into a ditch or water trough after working or plalying hard to cool off & sometimes will try to climb into their water buckets; in other words, any water will do!!!

The Aussie has two main working styles, the fetch (bringing the stock to you) and the drive (pushing the stock away from you). Most Aussies have a natural gathering instinct, which means they want to keep the stock (or family) bunched together. They have a unique working style, upright in stature, with a smooth, easy gait while moving the stock at a moderate pace. They display a medium eye & are aggressive enough to move tough stock but gentle enough to work baby stock. The are low heelers & therefore not easily kicked. They will use a clicking of their teeth or a pinching (nipping) bite to move the stock (or family member) rather than a grabbing or slashing bite with the fangs. They have excellent stock savvy.

The Aussie is by far one of the most intelligent dogs in the world; they are loyal, protective & willing to please beyond belief. The Aussie makes an excellent watchdog, trial dog, farm dog or companion. They love & protect children, cats or any other perceived members of the family. With their bobtail & medium size they make an excellent house companion, as long as they receive regular exercise. For those with a little more ambition for their dog, there are services offered by the national parent club, ASCA - the Australian Shepherd Club of America,

AKC - American Kennel Club and UKC - United Kennel Club. Services include a titles program in conformation, junior handling, obedience, agility, tracking & herding trials & shows all over the United States and Canada.