The Australian Shepherd is one of those breeds of shepherd dogs that people just absolutely love, and if this is a breed you are considering for your family, then you are in for quite a treat. Of course you want to ensure that you are choosing the right breed for you and your family when choosing a dog, so it’s important that you identify both the strengths and the needs of each breed that you are considering. In the case of the Australian Shepherd, those strengths certainly outnumber those needs, but you are still going to have certain responsibilities to consider.

The Origin and Strength of the Australian Shepherd

The origin of the Australian Shepherd lies in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France. It was called the Australian Shepherd because of the connection to the Basque shepherds who came to America from Australia in the 19th century. The Australian Shepherd has actually had a number of names in its time as a breed, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, New Mexican Shepherd, and California Shepherd.

The Australian Shepherd is, in fact, intelligent, hard-working, and very adaptable! The breed isn’t much for fooling around, however; instead, it is interested in putting its brains and energy to a good use. That doesn’t have to mean having a flock of sheep that it can shepherd around as it would have back in the day; but it does mean keeping your Australian Shepherd busy and providing plenty of stimulation, rather than letting him or her laze around all day and become fat, lazy, and bored.

Time and Effort

The best way to help your Australian Shepherd burn off all their energy is to ensure that they get lots of exercise. As a dog that has its origins as a sheep herding dog, the breed needs to have a regular outlet for its energy, or else it can become incredibly bored, which in turn can lead to destructive behaviors – tearing about furniture and other not-for-tearing-apart things – as well as loud, growling and barking.

If you give your Australian Shepherd the exercise and engagement they will need, you can do so in a number of ways. Just taking regular trips to the park will work, as will having a yard that your dog can treat as their personal play space. However, you have other, more “extreme” options, like dog sports! The natural agility and intelligence of the breed makes them ideal for sports like agility tests, flyball, and herding tests. They are also great guide, hearing, and assistance dogs. In fact, they’re perfect for just about whatever you want them for – so long as you’re willing to put the time and effort into their training!