About the breed

• Despite it's name, the Australian Shepherd or "Aussie" is believed to have originated during the California gold rush of the mid-1800's.
• As a member of the Herding Group, they sometimes have an intense desire to round things up– livestock... ducks... children... toys, and keep them grouped together.
• They're an extremely smart breed. This means that while they're easy to train, they also may have a tendency to figure ways out of pens or become mischevious when bored. They're very eager to please, and love learning new tricks. They work hard, but are not nearly as intense or single-minded as the Border Collie.
• Aussies are a pretty active breed. They need at least 20 minutes of vigorous exercise daily and will always take more if they can get it. If you're looking for a low-maintenance, quiet little lap-dog, they're probably not for you. However, if you have an active lifestyle, the Aussie makes a great hiking companion or running partner and is always up for a game of fetch or frisbee.
• Unlike some breeds, the Aussie is an extremely social dog and craves constant human companionship. They work very hard to please their master, and are at-ease around others as well. They love children and can be teriffic family guardians.
• Aussies are medium-sized dogs that usually weigh between 35 and 60 lbs. They have a lustrous coat that sheds, but does not need to be professionally groomed. Thorough brushings twice a week will keep the excess hair in your house to a minimum.
• The breed standard calls for the Aussie's tail to be bobbed very close to the body. (apparently sheep love to bite them in the field)

• For the most part, Aussies come in four colors– Black Tri-Color, Red Tri-Color, Blue-Merle, and Red-Merle. The Tri-Colors markings are similar to the Shetlie (black or deep red with wite collars and bronze points on the face, ears, and legs. The Merles are either a gray-blue or cinnamon-brown color with random dark spots covering body. Merling is the term for the distinctive spotted pattern which is almost exclusive to the breed.

Note: Breeders must carefully check pedigrees when selecting mates– if both parents carry the recessive "Merle" gene, one-quarter of the resulting litter will be "double-merles". These are mostly white with only coloring on the rear haunches. Most of them are partially or fully deaf.