The Australian Shepherd was created from a combination of various herding breeds in California in the mid-19th century. Their roots are thought to be from herding dogs from the Basque region.
Apart from color variations, there is just one type of Australian Shepherd.
Australian Shepherds live about 13-15 years.
Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs, most weighing 35-70 lbs and standing around 18-23 inches tall.
Australian Shepherds come in a variety of colors, among them red, blue, black, tuxedo, and merle.
Australian Shepherds have moderate shedding, mainly in the spring when they lose their thick winter coat but it can be year-round.
Australian Shepherds require weekly brushings to help avoid the coat from becoming matted. Their coat is not difficult to groom.
Australian Shepherds are incredibly loyal dogs, which on the other side of the coin, makes them excellent watchdogs. They often only accept strangers once they’ve been proven acceptable by their owners. Like most dogs, they have a tendency to bark at loud noises and intruders. However, they can be discouraged from excessive barking with proper training and exercise.
Australian Shepherds are fairly healthy on the whole, though they do suffer from some genetic health issues such as Epilepsy.
You can adopt an Australian Shepherd at a much lower cost than buying one from a breeder. The cost to adopt an Australian Shepherd is around $300 in order to cover the expenses of caring for the dog before adoption. In contrast, buying an Australian Shepherd from breeders can be prohibitively expensive. Depending on their breeding, they usually cost anywhere from $500-$1,500.
There are animal shelters and rescues that focus specifically on finding great homes for Australian Shepherd puppies. Browse the list of Australian Shepherd rescues and shelters near you, below.