They are very playful, interactive, and demonstrative dogs, responsive to commands and quick to learn. Some Australian Shepherds have naturally short “bob tails.” Such dogs should also not be bred together, as some offspring will have serious spinal defects. Merle dogs should never be bred to one another, as the resultant “double merles” (homozygous merles) can have serious hearing and vision problems. They especially like and excel in such dog sports as herding, agility, obedience, nose work, tracking, and dock diving. The eyes are brown, blue, or amber, and in some dogs each eye is a different color. Experts who study genetic conditions in Aussies recommend dogs with close relatives who have had hereditary cancer—such as lymphoma—do not mate with other dogs with a history of the same cancer. It's important to consider your lifestyle before committing to any dog, but it may help to speak with an Australian shepherd breeder or rescue group about expectations to see if an Australian shepherd puppy or dog would be a good fit for you. Due to the contrast between eye problems and blue eyes, eye conditions in blue-eyed dogs are much easier to spot. Although many believe that only dogs with blue eyes have eye problems, it is not correct. The Australian Shepherd is one of the breeds more commonly affected by hereditary cataracts. The Australian Shepherd is one of the more commonly affected breeds for an autosomal recessive mutation of the MDR1 gene. Like other herding breeds, these dogs excel at many dog sports, especially herding also known as stockdog, dog agility, dock diving/dock jumping, obedience, rally, tracking, disc, and flyball. A well-adjusted Australian shepherd is good with cats, other dogs, and children under supervision—though their herding instincts mean they may try to employ those skills on small children or other pets by nipping at ankles. The breed descends from European herding dogs that lived around the Pyrenees Mountains. The modern breed is predominantly bred for pets; despite this, many retain a strong herding instinct and it is not uncommon for companion dogs of the breed to try to herd children or other pets. Originally used solely as a herding dog, the Australian Shepherd has become one of the most popular companion dog breeds in North America. The name "lethal white" is a misnomer, as this genetic condition is not lethal to the dogs; it is often the breeder who is lethal to the pups by culling them immediately after birth. The breed is known for its unique colorations and variable coat patterns, it being said no two dogs sharing a coat. The Australian Shepherd is also believed to be descended from a variety of herding dogs imported to California with imported sheep, including collies from Australia and New Zealand. The breed as it is known today developed in California in the 19th century, as a sheep herding dog for Californian shepherds. It is believed to have its origins in sheepdog breeds from northwest Spain, as well as collies imported, alongside sheep, from Australia and New Zealand; the breed reportedly took its name from this trade. The Australian Shepherd, also known as the Aussie, is a breed of herding dog from the United States. The name of the breed is technically a misnomer, as it was developed in California in the 19th century. A high-energy, athletic dog, the Aussie needs a great deal of exercise on a daily basis. The Australian Shepherd should do well on a high-quality dog food, whether commercially manufactured or home-prepared with your veterinarian's supervision and approval. As a working breed on farms and ranches, their tails were docked to avoid injury or to identify them as working stock. The upper arm, which should be relatively the same length as the shoulder blade, attaches at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. In the 1800s Basques and their dogs sailed east to try their luck in Australia, a wide-open paradise for sheepmen. During their long sojourn in Australia, the Basque shepherd refined their dogs with judicious crosses to Australia's British imports, Collies and Border Collies, among them. Eventually, many Basques, with their faithful shepherd dogs in tow, sailed east to try their luck on the virgin Australian continent, a wide-open paradise for sheep herders. Their herding dog of choice was called the Pyrenean Shepherd, progenitor of our modern Aussie. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. These breeds are more likely to react to any potential threat, whether it's the mailman or a squirrel outside the window. Some breeds just want to make their owner proud, while others prefer to do what they want, when they want to, wherever they want! Some breeds will be reserved or cautious around all strangers, regardless of the location, while other breeds will be happy to meet a new human whenever one is around! While some breeds will bark at every passer-by or bird in the window, others will only bark in particular situations. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog's calorie consumption and weight level.
