Australian Shepherd

Australian Shepherd

19×24 colored pencil. Original available.
The Australian Shepherd is a breed of working dog that was developed in the Western United States in the 19th century from several different breeds. Despite its name, the breed, commonly known as an Aussie, did not in fact originate in Australia.

Like all working breeds, the Aussie has considerable energy and drive and usually needs a job to do. It often excels at dog sports such as frisbee and dog agility. Quick FactsAustralian Shepherd Quick Facts

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Weight: 16-34 kg 35-65 lbs
Height: 43-58 cm 18-23 inches
Coat: Double coat
Coat (cont): Medium length
Activity level: High
Learning rate: High
Temperament: Responsive, active, friendly to owners
Guard dog ability: Medium-high
Watch-dog ability: High
Litter size: 5-8
Life span: Median 12-13 years

Appearance
The blue merle Aussie is the best-known coloring for this breed.The breed’s general appearance varies greatly depending on the particular line’s emphasis. As with many working breeds that are also shown in the ring, there are differences of opinion among breeders over what makes an ideal Australian Shepherd. In addition the breed can be split into two distinct lines – working and show dogs. Working dogs tend to have shorter coats, thinner and sometimes smaller whilst the show lines are bred according to breed standard and can have long fur.
Size
Reflecting the great variation that exists in the breed, an Aussie can stand between 18 and 23 inches (46 to 58 cm) at the withers and weigh between 35 and 60 pounds (16 to 34 kg). For show dogs, females should fall in the lower ranges and males in the higher ranges. There is a conflict, though, concerning the Miniature Australian Shepherd. Since there is no strict height or weight measurements, some say mini Aussies are the same as the original breed, simply smaller, and should not be considered a separate breed. Others stick to an opinion that minis were bred separately and should be their own breed. (Information from Wikipedia)

Complete 2001

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