Best Bully Sticks Breed Spotlight: Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a hardworking breed, yet a breed that doesn’t have to work hard to win an owner’s love or affection. Best Bully Sticks highlights this breed because they have a great history, temperament and not to forget, they’re beautiful. Read more about the Australian Shepherd below!
History & Background: The obvious guess as to where this breed originates would most likely be a wrong guess. It’s thought Australian Shepherds originated in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France; yet earn their name because of the Basque shepherds who lived in Australia before coming to America in the 1800s. In practice, this dog is an American breed.
When new cattle species were introduced to the American West, so was a new breed of dog that worked well with the herds. Even in the dangerous altitudes of the Rocky Mountains, this breed was mostly unaffected. Ranchers all over the West were buying up these dogs for their own herds and began further developing the breed. The end result of this breeding gives us the Australian Shepherd that we know and love today; a dog that is adaptable, intelligent, has strong herding instincts and has a beautiful all-around look.
Today, there are still plenty of Australian Shepherds used as working dogs. However, this dog also excels at agility trials, flyball and Frisbee tournaments.
The Australian Shepherd was once called many different names like Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, Blue Heeler, New Mexican Shepherd and California Shepherd.
Height: Males: 20 to 23 inches, Females: 18 to 21 inches
Weight: Males: 50 to 65 pounds, Females: 40 to 55 pounds
Coat: Aussies have a medium length coat, with a profuse amount of hair. The hair itself is soft, but not silky; coarse, but not hard. The AKC describes their coat as having a “medium texture.” An Australian Shepherd’s hair ranges from straight to wavy and is very abundant! This dog’s undercoat varies with climate. The hair on the head, ears and front of legs and below hock. Everywhere else on this dog is frill, mane and fur. Feathering appears on the back of the legs and the chest has a very thick layer of fur. Read more
