AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD DOG

The appearance of the ancestors of the Australian Shepherd in the United States in the 19th century is often attributed exclusively to the Basque shepherds and their Pyrenees. shepherd dogs. However, not everything is so simple in this tangled American-Australian-German-Spanish story. According to some researchers of the breed, the ancestors of the Australian Shepherd are other shepherds. - Old German (more precisely, one of their varieties - tigers (tigers) - shepherd dogs with a thick coat of a marbled gray-black color, whose homeland is considered to be Germany). Old German Shepherds came to the territory of New South Wales in Australia in the middle of the 19th century for the protection and grazing of flocks of sheep. And only then, as mentioned above, the descendants of tigers (Old German dogs), crossed with dogs of other breeds, came to the USA.

Another breed of Aussies is considered to be the Pyrenean Shepherd Dog. These dogs from Andorra (a small country between France and Spain) came to the USA in the second half of the 19th century. Along with the Basques, the Pyrenean Sheepdogs arrived to help the American sheep industry, which was gaining momentum in the US at the time. The third breed that influenced the emergence of the Australian Shepherd is called the Australian Coolie. - beautiful aboriginal herding dogs coping with herds of sheep, goats and cows. In terms of color and characteristics, coolies resemble modern Aussies (by the way, like the Old German and Pyrenean Shepherds).

The farmers of the United States liked the qualities of these hardy and hardworking breeds so much that starting from the first decades of the 20th century, breeding work was carried out to develop a new breed by crossing coolies, Pyrenean and Old German Shepherds with other breeds (Bernese Mountain Dog and representatives of the shepherd group collie dogs). And so the Australian Shepherd was born. Already in 1957, the American Australian Shepherd Club began to function, by the 1970s more than 25 kennels had appeared, and in 1977 the Breed Standard was approved.

Properly raised Aussies are cheerful, active and cheerful dogs, lovingly relating not only to the owner, but also to all family members, including children. Four-legged pets of this breed are wary of strangers, although usually without aggression or fear. Aussies are calm to pets, especially to those who have been known since puppyhood (the owner must teach the Australian Shepherd puppy to respond correctly to cats and dogs since childhood). Aussies are very devoted to the owner, they love to be in his company. The owners of this breed note a sharp mind, curiosity, excellent obedience to the Aussie. They are extremely rarely vicious towards people or animals, they lend themselves perfectly to training.

The owner needs to provide the animal with sufficient physical activity. Australian Shepherds are very active working dogs, so sitting in the walls of an apartment is fraught not only with depression, but also with pranks when the dog itself finds something to do in the form of damage to the owner’s property. Therefore, they should be started by easy-going people who have enough time to communicate and walk with the dog.

Australian Shepherds can live perfectly both on the territory of plots of private or country houses, and in apartments. Outdoor maintenance involves the construction of an aviary with a booth insulated for the winter. It is not recommended to keep an Aussie on a chain. In apartments, it is required to take the dog a corner with a bed, bowls and toys, you need to monitor the absence of drafts and excessively dry air.

Walks with such dogs are made twice (or more) a day for 1-1.5 hours. In the heat, the walking time can be reduced or the animal can be taken out during the coolest hours in the summer (morning and evening), when the sun is not so hot. Cold, as a rule, Aussies tolerate well. The dog must run, follow the commands of the owner. With interest and success, Aussies participate in catching plastic discs (frisbee), ball (flyball), overcoming obstacle courses (agility). During country trips, Aussies are happy to rush around the area, in summer they love to swim (after swimming, you need to carefully examine the body of the dog, and after returning home, rinse the coat with running water). After the walk, it is also necessary to wash and inspect the dog's paws for wounds.

Australian Shepherd grooming includes brushing and bathing the dog. During molting (in spring and autumn, and when living in an apartment, the periods can be prolonged), Aussies are combed out daily with a comb and brush or furminator. In normal times, the old dog hair is removed by combing 2-3 times a week. It is very important not to neglect these procedures, since the thick coat and impressive undercoat of the Aussie can lead to the appearance of skin diseases, the appearance of parasites, and the formation of tangles. These shepherd dogs are bathed about 4 times a year with a special pet shampoo for dogs.

Indispensable conditions of detention - rubbing the eyes several times a week with a cotton swab dipped in tea leaves or chamomile decoction. The pet's ears are wiped 1 or 2 times a week with a cotton pad soaked in water or a special wax remover. Aussie teeth must certainly be in order, so the owner should purchase special products for dogs - toothpaste and brush, as well as treats to remove plaque.

Any sign of illness (temperature above 39 degrees or below 37 degrees, gastrointestinal disorders, discharge from the eyes, ears, nose, apathy and other alarms) is an immediate reason to contact the veterinarian. You need to find out from a doctor (preferably before buying a dog) what kind of medicines should be in the home first aid kit in case of first aid at home by the owner himself. And it is the veterinarian who should be consulted about vitamins, vaccines and antiparasitics (frequency of administration, doses, methods of administration). Self-medication should not be done, as it is dangerous for the dog's life.