15 Fun Facts About Australian Shepherds

You may quickly scream “Australia” if asked where Australian Shepherds are from, but you’ll be wrong. The thing is, their origin is not the only thing people get wrong about them. There are many interesting things to know about this dog, especially if you look forward to having one or more as a pet. If you don’t know these things, you may not enjoy having them around or fully appreciate them. These slides contain 15 fun facts about Aussies.
Not Australian

Don’t let the “Australian” in Australian Shepherds fool you. These misnomer-named dogs were developed in the western United States during the 19th century. Americans named them so because Basque shepherds first took them to Australia before bringing them to the USA.
Colorful Eyes

Not many dog breeds have different-colored eyes—something we call heterochromia—and Australian Shepherds are among the lucky few. One of their eyes may be blue, brown, amber, or green, while the other is a different color. Sometimes, only one eye can have multiple colors.
Intelligent and Trainable

Besides being highly intelligent, Australian Shepherds are eager to please their owners—a trait that makes them easier to train. They are quick learners. How fast they learn basic obedience commands is impressive. These dogs can think and make decisions independently. Many dog lovers and owners agree that they are problem-solvers.
Double Coat

The Australian Shepherd has a double-layered coat—a thick and dense undercoat and a medium-length hair top coat, which may be straight or wavy. It is said that no two Aussies share the same coat. Their standard colors are solid red, solid black, or blue/red merle.
High Energy

The energy of these dogs is on the high side, so owners should be able to match it and give them enough physical exercise and mental stimulation. They instinctively chase fast-moving objects—no thanks to their herding background. Behavioral issues may arise if their owners don’t meet their physical and cognitive needs.
Versatile Workers

It’s easy to feel like Australian Shepherds can do all jobs. Besides herding, they’re also great in therapy, search and rescue, drug detection, rodeo performance, and service dogs. Thanks to their happiness and intelligence, work isn’t boring with them. They’ve been known as working dogs for over a century.
Strong Herding Instinct

Remember that Aussies were originally bred for herding. This trait remains today, and you’ll see it when you need one as a pet. They might try to herd other animals, children, or even adults by nipping at heels or circling them. You can manage this behavior with proper training.
Loyal Companions

When Australian Shepherds join a family, they bond well with them and assume the role of protector. Their devotion to this role shows their loyalty, and while that can be a good thing, they may scare off people they perceive as a threat by being aggressive towards them.
Natural Bobtail

Roughly twenty percent of Australian Shepherds are born with a naturally bobbed tail. Not all of the other eighty others have longer tails, though, because some owners dock the tails of their Aussie to prevent injuries and for Hygiene. Tail docking is common because short-tailed Aussies are safer.
Great with Kids

Generally, Australian Shepherds are good with children, so families with an active lifestyle and huge living spaces for dogs to run around should consider getting one when in need of a pet. Because they are playful and energetic, they can make them great playmates for active kids.
Health Issues

Aussies are generally healthy dogs, but like every other breed, they have health issues, too. The most common is eye problems, which may be cataracts, conjunctivitis, epiphora, or red eye. Other common issues are hip and elbow dysplasia, epilepsy, and dermatological and respiratory problems.
Medium Size

They are considered medium-sized dogs. Their heights can range from 18 inches to 23 inches, with the males claiming the top heights (20-23 inches) and the females slightly shorter (18-21 inches). As for their weight, they typically fall between 35 pounds and 70 pounds.
Long Lifespan

Expect your Aussie to live up to 13.7 years. Their average lifespan is 12-15 years, though. How healthy they are can affect how long they live and the quality of their life, so remember that a balanced diet is important, regular exercise is now just for fun, and routine veterinary care is non-negotiable.
Excellent Swimmers

These dogs can handle themselves in water. In water, double coats provide buoyancy and can use their webbed feet as paddles. Some may love water, and some may be fearful of it. With a proper introduction and enough training, the latter can be your next favorite swimming partner.
Nutritional Needs

Choose what you feed your Aussies carefully. Protein is the nutrient they need most, and it can be obtained from chicken, beef, fish, and eggs. Offal, meat, and bone can provide them with natural vitamins and minerals. Also, ensure they have adequate water so they won’t get dehydrated, especially as they have high energy.