About Auss

The Australian Shepherd was developed in the 19th century (1800's) by Californian farmers. This breed got their start from the trading and importing of sheep from Australia and New Zealand. When sheep were imported, their herders went with them. These dogs that were imported included the breeds that were used to create the Aussie as we know them today. This trade is how they got their name as well, effectively honoring the dogs that created them.

Primarily designed to handle sheep, as the breeds popularity spread west it was discovered that they are capable of handling cattle, goats, avian stock, and more. As more farmers and livestock owners learned of their versatility they became a staple farm dog across the nation. They didn't gain standard popularity until the mid 20th century (1900's) by Jay Lister by way of rodeo performance.

The first club to recognize the Australian Shepherd as a breed was the United Kennel Club in 1979. The American Kennel Club recognized them in 1990. As more and more clubs recognized the Aussie, it grew in popularity. Aussies are one of the most popular breeds around and are now recognizable to the average person and hold the spot as the 12th most popular breed according to the AKC.

The Australian Shepherd is an intellegent working dog with strong natural herding instincts. They are loyal companions and seek out human companionship. Each Aussie offers large personalities that vary as much as their looks do, every Aussie is an individual. They are very attentive to their humans and animated in how they do so. Although the breed is generally friendly towards humans, they can be reserved with strangers. Their personalities are generally compatible with co-habiting with children and other animals as long as effort is put forth for them to succeed in those relationships. You get out of an Aussie what you put into them.

Australian Shepherds are vulnerable to a few genetic diseases as a general breed. Some of these genetic issues can also be seen in other herding breeds, Hip Dysplasia, Elbow Dysplasia, Multi-Drug Resistance, and Ophthalmological (eye) conditions. These are all testable, preventable diseases that any owner can test for. DDen Aussies tests for these conditions and more to guarantee the health of our dogs and the lives we create. A genetically clear, healthy Aussie can live well past 12 years of age.

Australian Shepherds have double layered coats. Although this means they can succeed very well in colder climates, it means they shed a considerable amount. Every dog sheds every day. It is a common myth that there are breeds of dog that exist that never shed. Due to being a double coated breed, they need to be brushed all over to remove tangles. Aussies also require regular baths to remove dirt, dead skin, shed hair, and anything else that hides within their thick double coat. 

All being said, they don't need rigorous attention if their coat is maintained. Brushing a few times a week, a reasonably timed bath, and spot cleaning will keep an Aussie at manageable grooming needs. 

Although not complicated to maintain an Aussie's coat, there is the ability to learn good grooming skills. Many Aussies need their feet trimmed or shaved and their glorious floofy butts cut back for sanitary reasons. Aussies are a great opportunity to break into the world of grooming and scissoring by learning small maintenance tasks for your own dogs. 

By way of grooming tools, there are many avenues you can take. Here are suggestions from DDen on a good arsenal of tools to maintain the Aussie coat:

1 brush, 1 slicker brush, 1 ear cleaner, 1 shampoo, 1 conditioner,

1 nail tool, 1 pair of hair/fur scissors, 1 de-shedding tool

Australian Shepherds are an intelligent an athletic breed. In addition to physical exercise, they need to be mentally stimulated as well. This means that owners have to get creative to keep these active minds busy. Owners should be prepared to give Aussies a large enough space to sprint in, whether this be a local space or their own yard (with appropriate permission and obeying local leash laws). Physical activity like running can be turned into a mind game as well to meet mental needs. Their mental needs can be met with many tools, our favorites at DDen are stuffed vegetables like bell peppers and food puzzles that utilize kibble. 

With raising Aussies, it is important to not set the standard amount of exercise your dog would get at an unsustainable level for the dog OR the owner. It is important to balance energetic times with relaxing times to keep the need for physical and mental stimulation at a reasonable level for both dog and owner. Doing this can help with many training aspects as well, such as house behavior, public behavior, impulse control, and many others. These behaviors are also important to work on for the general Aussie as they can develop reactivity or impulsive behaviors with strangers.

Aussies are capable of incredible things, but that doesn't mean they have to spend their lives chasing the stars. DDen is an advocate of focusing on the experience of the race and not finishing the fastest. Training will occur for the entirety of a dogs life and will never truly be finished, don't rush to the end.