AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS
Australian Shepherds were bred to herd. This required a dog that was loyal, obedient, smart, energetic, and well tempered. These attributes have still proven themselves golden in the breed today.
Australian Shepherds are ranked among the most popular dog breeds, because of the fantastic qualities they have as a companion dog.
HISTORY
Australian Shepherds were thought to originate from an area between Spain and France called the Basque region. From here, sheep herders and their dogs had traveled by boat from the Basque region, charting through Australia with their herds of sheep and then traveled on to settle in the western part of America.
The Australian Shepherd came about from sheep herders who needed a dog that could thrive in the western parts of America. They wanted a breed that could handle the hot, dry climate, that had incredibly long endurance, and who would be a loyal and obedient companion.
The new breed of stock dog was born on U.S. soil, and came from a parentage of European collies, but was given their Aussie name from the Australian Sheep they herded.
PERSONALITY AND CHARACTER
Australian Shepherds were bred to be an aid to Shepherds in the fields. This required a dog that was loyal, obedient, smart, energetic, and well tempered. These attributes have still proven themselves golden in the breed today.
Energy Level
Aussies are a high, to medium energy breed. Breeding lines vary in energy levels of the dog.
Aussies are energetic in the sense that they have very long endurance. Hiking, swimming, agility, basically anything active, they love to do, and they'll go for as long as you will let them.
They also have intellectual energy. Problem solving is a huge part of where they put their energy into, which is why they love training, and they love jobs that challenge them.
This energy, however can be a catalyst for desructive behavior if they are left without an outlet. Aussies are great as family pets, but they do need a way to expend their energy through exercise, and problem solving activities.
What are NK Ranch's dogs like when it comes to energy levels?
We've selected our dogs from genetic lines of medium level energy Aussies. Our dogs come from show line dogs, rather than herding line dogs, giving them more of a "family lifestyle" background. They are the perfect balance of a fun outdoor dog, and relaxed indoor family dog. Because personalities and energy levels follow genetics, our puppies will have similar traits and energy levels as their parents.
Protectors
Aussies are natural protectors of their flock. They protect their territory through a very assertive bark. Their agressiveness in protection depends on what their lines have been bred to be, and how they are trained.
They are normally wary of strangers at first, but if introduced, tend to warm up quickly, and become friendly.
"Velcro Dogs"
Aussies are people-person dogs and they love being around their owners and family. This also means, they love being involved in what you're involved in.
Because of the way they were bred, they are constantly looking to you for cues and direction, so they are good at sticking by your side when traveling or walking.
Aussie have different personalities, and depending on their breed line and characteristics, the "velcro-ness" varies. Some are more independent than others.
They live for your love and companionship, and this is one of the endearing traits that makes them such a popular breed.
ARE AUSSIES GOOD WITH KIDS?
Aussies can be fantastic kid-friendly dogs. They have the disposition to be people-person dogs. A well bred, well trained Aussie can be the dream dog of a friend to your child.
Here's your disclaimer: They are herding dogs, and some will try to herd your children. There are also many factors that play into having a dog of any breed that make them kid friendly. Part of it has to do with your breeder and their dogs, the other part has to do with you.
So how do I get a kid friendly Aussie?
Well, let me tell you what we do on our part at NK Ranch, to make this possible for you. First, among health and structure, we breed for personality. We breed dogs for particular personality traits is one of the major points behind good breeding.
We have young kids, so our Dogs and puppies will be around kids constantly while they are in our home. We teach our children how to handle these dogs with love and respect, and we are constantly there to supervise when they handle the puppies. However, they are still kids, and they are not perfect. Which is great! Because neither are anyone elses kids. So our dogs and puppies learn how to properly react to babies, and toddlers handling them.
We also work on desensitizing the puppy to being picked up, and getting used to touch (playing with ears, paws, muzzle, etc.)
So we breed for sound minded, gentle dogs. We train them to be kid friendly while they are with us, and we give them every opportunity possible to be around kids of all ages.
Now heres your part. To have a kid friendly dog, you have to make training in this aspect a priority. We as breeders have these puppies for a relatively short time, and we socialize them as best we can. But it stops at our door if there's no continued training with your puppy and your children.
PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS
BLUE MERLE
RED MERLE
BLACK TRI
RED TRI
Aussies have a range of coat markings that fit into four categories. Black, Blue Merle, Red, and Red Merle. Within these categories they can range from a solid colored coat, to tan and white Tri colored markings.
Below is a chart showing the common variants of their coat color.
DO AUSSIES SHED?
Yes, in the spring and in the fall, when the temperature starts to change. Brushing out the coat during these bi-annual times will speed up the shedding process, and make shedding hair more manageable. Throughout the rest of the season the coat is easily managed through regular brushing.
EYE COLOR
Australian Shepherd eyes can range from pale blue, to chocolate brown, and any range of color in between.
This coloration gave them the nickname "The Ghost eye dog" by Native Americans. They believed that the dog was able to see into the spirit world through the lighter colored eye.
Aussies can also have bicolored or Heterochromatic eyes, which is a marbling of two different colors in a single eye. This is linked to the Merle gene.
SKIN PIGMENTATION
Pigmentation on the lips, nose, and around the eyes differ in Australian Shepherds. For Red, and Red Merles, they will have liver colored pigmentation, whereas Black, and Blue Merles have black pigmentation.
TAILS
Aussie tails can range from a natural bob, partial bob, or a full tail. The full tail is slightly curved, with full, fluffy plumage.
WHY ARE AUSSIES TAILS DOCKED?
There is a reason behind the 'no tail' dog. Aside from the Aussies genetic possibility of having a natural bob, or partial tail, Aussies tails are docked to keep them from coming to physical harm while working the livestock. Docking avoids the tail getting stepped on, bitten, caught in a closing gate, etc.
Natural Aussie tails are long, slightly curled (similar to a husky tail), with luscious plumage. This beautiful tail can also easily catch burrs and stickers, and is prone to mat.
AKC and ASCA have kept the standard as a docked tail for Aussies.
There is the question that other herding type dogs keep their tails and they are fine, so why Aussies? From what I've come to find, different breeds have different herding styles, which puts them in less positions for tail injury. For instance, Border Collies will tuck their tails while herding which helps avoid being stepped on. Aussies on the other hand hold their tails high, or low when herding, which causes more room for injury.
Bottom line is, it's a safety and health thing.
Many have differing opinions on whether or not this should continue to be a standard in the breed.
The reasons for tail docking, are concerns more particular for working Aussies. Family Aussies do not necessarily need to have a docked tail, unless they plan to be in events that require a docked tail. Which is why we offer both options of keeping your Aussies natural tail, or to have them docked.
BREEDING AND GENETICS
DOUBLE MERLES
PhotoHomozygous merles (MM) or Double Merle breeding, refers to the breeding of two dogs that both have the merle gene (ex: a Red Merle to a Red Merle, Blue Merle to a Blue Merle, or Red Merle to a Blue Merle). If both parents bred have the Merle gene, this results in puppies with excessive white in the coat coloring, and on average, 25% of the puppies will be born blind and/or deaf. They can also have mishapen eye pupils, and lack of pigmentation on the nose and around the eyes. There can be other internal health defects as well that are associated with Homozygous Merles.
Double Merle breeding is highly discouraged and is usually a result of breeders who are uninformed, or who are not concerned with the health of their dogs.
If you are looking to buy an Australian Shepherd puppy, take the initiative to ask the breeder about the Sire and Dam Genetics and Health History.
If they are not willing to provide you with a pedigree, or are willing to breed Australian Shepherd pairs that are both Merle in coloring, be prepared with the knowledge that you may have a dog that could range in a variety of genetic defects, and will likely require a lifetime of specialized care.
