Snoopy
The Australian Shepherd is a very intricate dog, who has an eye for detail and the way of life as a farm hand. They are very physical dogs, always ready for their next job or duty and ready to accomplish that duty in a quick, perfect speed. They originate from somewhere within the Pyrenees Mountains, between Spain and France, and the reason they are called the Australian Shepherd is due to their relationship with the Basque Shepherds who’s origins are from Australia. The shepherds are a lot alike and can be called Spanish Shepherds, Pastor Dogs, Bobtails, and even Blue-Heelers, because of their relationship with each other and the way the breeds are connected.
Their coats can be several different colors, like black and white with brown markings, red merle, blue merle and red with or without white markings (depending). Their coat needs a weekly brushing because they have a considerable amount of hair, which can tangle behind their ears and on their chest.
Snoopy
The Australian Shepherd is the most content when it has a job to do. If they are worked hard enough, given enough exercise, and feel that they have a sense of purpose within their owner’s lives, then they are the most complete. They can be family dogs but do need the exercise because they have a lot of energy to exert. They are incredibly smart, trained and reliable dogs and are perfect for the ranch living with all of the animals they can herd. Other than that, they have a loving personality and like to be a part of the family.
Snoopy
At the kennel I work at, there is a miniature Australian Shepherd, which is just a smaller size of the Australian Shepherd. Her name is Snoopy (seen in the photos above) and she is incredibly physical and will always be found playing with the other dogs and chasing the family’s horse. Snoopy enjoys being a part of her surroundings and loves getting involved and being a part of whatever is going on. Although she is small, she has the same personality and dog breed traits that a normal sized Australian Shepherd has and is able to herd the same size animals as well. They are not afraid of anything, as long as they are a part of it!
Once again, here’s a video from Animal Planet’s TV show “Dogs 101″ that talks more about the Australian Shepherd. Enjoy!
Posted by Joe B. on March 9, 2010 at 12:13 pm
My last dog was an Australian Shepherd, and I loved the guy. He was incredibly playful and energetic. Name was Pepe (in the same vein as the Looney Toons skunk, because of his color resemblance).
Unfortunately, my mom didn’t like him so much because he got on her nerves with how much attention he would seek (and the amount of energy he would use to get that attention). He got out one day on my mom’s watch and my mom never bothered to look for him… Pound probably picked him up or something. He was still relatively young and still learning some things so he hadn’t really built up a habit for returning home…
My mom also took our cat of 12 years and had him put to sleep one day without ever informing anyone that she planned to do so. I returned home from school one day and asked about why I hadn’t seen him around. Mom decided to break the news that way.
Mom doesn’t have a great track record with pets…
Posted by Aubrie on March 9, 2010 at 12:39 pm
I am always amazed by Australian Shepards. My boyfriend’s grandparents live on a farm in Iowa and have one named Bo. Bo knows everything about the day to day operation of the farm and is very intune to what is needed of him. He provides a great companion to my boyfriend’s grandfather and he knows every trick in the book. It is interesting that they originate within the Pyreneese Mountains, I just assumed they were from Australia. They are such a great dog but I don’t think I would ever get one because I think it is unfair for them not to live on a farm or at least a place with lots of room to run.
Posted by missmollymack on March 9, 2010 at 12:42 pm
My dad has two australian shepherds. We love them! They’re goofy, but really smart.