Aussie Info
We wrote a book on everything Aussie, geared toward pet owners! This guide covers breed history and characteristics, finding and selecting a breeder or rescue, preparing your home, training and socialization, feeding, grooming, healthcare, and so much more!
Buy The Complete Guide To Australian Shepherds on Amazon!
Buy The Complete Guide To Australian Shepherds on Amazon!
So what is an Aussie?
"First and foremost, the Australian Shepherd is a true working stockdog, and anything that detracts from his usefulness as such is undesirable. The most important breed characteristics are overall moderation in size and bone, balance with correct proportions, and sound movement."
- ASCA Breed Standard: INTRODUCTION
Aussies have been described as the jack of all trades. We know of Aussies who have competed or participated in herding, agility, obedience, rally, trick dog, freestyle, disk/frisbee, tracking, nosework, dock diving, barn hunt, lure coursing, flyball, schutzhund, therapy, search and rescue, weight pull and dog sledding. We love this breed's ability to "do it all", and it starts with a great temperament:
"The Australian Shepherd is primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an intelligent, exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained: performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. This unusually versatile stockdog works with the power and quickness to control difficult cattle as well as the ability to move sheep without unnecessary roughness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable."
- ASCA Breed Standard: CHARACTER
We believe that the ASCA breed standard describes not only a very balanced and functional dog physically, but mentally as well. An Aussie needs to be an intelligent, discerning dog - not one that reacts without thinking. A problem solver who is capable of making independent decisions, but not one so independent that he cannot take direction. A dog that loves to work and gives his tasks 100%.
The word "authoritative" has two meanings - "reliable" and "commanding and self-confident". We feel both definitions are accurate descriptions of two components of the ideal Aussie temperament. An Aussie should also be reserved with strangers; this does not mean afraid of or aggressive towards them. This is a dog that should be tolerant and accepting of new people, perhaps they even solicit some attention when they have determined the person to be a friend, but still able to guard the home and family when the situation warrants it. A dog with a correct temperament knows the difference.
"The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined."
- ASCA Breed Standard: GENERAL APPEARANCE
The ASCA breed standard uses the word "moderate" or a variation of it (moderation, medium, etc) FIFTEEN times. We have heard some brag that their dogs have "huge coat" "tons of bone" or "big, blocky heads"; none of which is correct for this breed. At Echolight, we strive to breed true to the breed standard - dogs of MODERATE size, coat, bone and structure.
- ASCA Breed Standard: INTRODUCTION
Aussies have been described as the jack of all trades. We know of Aussies who have competed or participated in herding, agility, obedience, rally, trick dog, freestyle, disk/frisbee, tracking, nosework, dock diving, barn hunt, lure coursing, flyball, schutzhund, therapy, search and rescue, weight pull and dog sledding. We love this breed's ability to "do it all", and it starts with a great temperament:
"The Australian Shepherd is primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an intelligent, exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained: performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. This unusually versatile stockdog works with the power and quickness to control difficult cattle as well as the ability to move sheep without unnecessary roughness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable."
- ASCA Breed Standard: CHARACTER
We believe that the ASCA breed standard describes not only a very balanced and functional dog physically, but mentally as well. An Aussie needs to be an intelligent, discerning dog - not one that reacts without thinking. A problem solver who is capable of making independent decisions, but not one so independent that he cannot take direction. A dog that loves to work and gives his tasks 100%.
The word "authoritative" has two meanings - "reliable" and "commanding and self-confident". We feel both definitions are accurate descriptions of two components of the ideal Aussie temperament. An Aussie should also be reserved with strangers; this does not mean afraid of or aggressive towards them. This is a dog that should be tolerant and accepting of new people, perhaps they even solicit some attention when they have determined the person to be a friend, but still able to guard the home and family when the situation warrants it. A dog with a correct temperament knows the difference.
"The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined."
- ASCA Breed Standard: GENERAL APPEARANCE
The ASCA breed standard uses the word "moderate" or a variation of it (moderation, medium, etc) FIFTEEN times. We have heard some brag that their dogs have "huge coat" "tons of bone" or "big, blocky heads"; none of which is correct for this breed. At Echolight, we strive to breed true to the breed standard - dogs of MODERATE size, coat, bone and structure.
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If you would like to know more about Aussies, call us anytime; or visit any of these informative websites:
Australian Shepherd Club of America United States Australian Shepherd Association Australian Shepherds Health and Genetics Institute |
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