The Australian Shepherd Mix – Everything You Need to Know
The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized dog breed that was developed during the 19th century back in Australia.
However, you should know that there are conflicting stories about the dog’s history before its arrival in the United States, and as a result of that, you won’t find an original consensus.
The Australian Shepherd has a very similar appearance to the Border Collie and the English Shepherd. According to research, the dog actually shares ancestry with the Border Collie and is a distant cousin. It is also quite popular, not just in Australia, but many other parts of the globe, as it makes for a fantastic pet.
The Australian Shepherd mix was originally bred for herding livestock, and is still renowned for its hard-working capabilities. You give them a task, and the dog will devote all of its time and energy to complete it. Just like the Border Collie, the dog is also quite intelligent, and it has established quite a reputation for its dedication to its owners.
The Origins
The Australian Shepherd mix is one of the best companion dogs in the world. They are becoming more and more popular by the day because of its friendly behavior and its loving appearance. This might come as a surprise to most people, but in the United States, many breeders believe that the dog was bred around the time of the Gold Rush, back in the 1840s.
It was developed to work through large pieces of land and is quite active. Finding an Australian Shepherd used to be a bit hard, but is now becoming easier by the day. You can even find this dog at your local shelter or a rescue as well. The dog rose in popularity throughout the United States after the end of the Second World War, and it was used in rodeos, horse shows, and even movies made by Disney for television.
The dog is medium-sized, and usually weighs anywhere from 35 to 70 pounds. It can reach a maximum of 23 inches in height. It’s important to note that most breeders don’t really prioritize the size, as quality is never sacrificed for a bigger, more hulking dog size. In fact, the dog is quite popular in many dog shows, and is renowned for its obedience, intelligence, and its athletic abilities.
Understanding the Temperament
The first and most important thing to discuss is the temperament of the dog. By its very nature, the Australian Shepherd mix is a very loyal dog breed. In fact, the dog often appears quite introverted, and will remain away from strangers. It truly considers its family its world. Therefore, you need to understand that the dog needs to be socialized to people and its surroundings as early as possible.
By socializing the dog from an early age, you will be able to ensure that it grows up to be happy and friendly. You need a well-rounded companion by your side, and this is a great way to do so.
However, if you don’t get the time to spend with your dog in its early stages, you might want to consider puppy kindergarten. At most, simply taking it out for a walk for an hour a day and letting it meet all kinds of humans and animals is going to be enough.
The dog is quite friendly, but you should know that it’s also fiercely protective of its masters. It’s also incredibly sharp and has amazing reflexes, so while the dog may seem docile one minute, it is likely to pounce on someone if it thinks they are up to some malicious behavior. There have been countless cases where these dogs have managed to intervene on behalf of their owners.
Activities
One of the things that you should know about this dog is that it tends to get bored very easily. If you think that putting around a few toys in their room is going to be enough, you might have to think again. The dog will get bored soon enough, and it’s going to start looking for other things to play with.
Before you know it, the dog will chew on your furniture. The dog requires lots of attention and mental stimulation, and you will have to spend time with it and play with it. This dog loves to train and will also enjoy trying out various activities, so it’s a fantastic way to bond with your dog. If you leave the dog alone for long hours, it is going to turn quite destructive.
Feeding the Dog
The Australian Shepherd mix requires high-quality dog food, and you will have to feed it anywhere between 1.5 and 2.5 cups a day. Ideally, it’s best if you divide their meals in two during the day. Obviously, the amount of food that your dog requires is going to vary depending on their metabolism, their age, and their overall levels of activity.
You need to be particularly mindful of what they eat, so it’s important that you encourage good eating habits in your animal. Don’t just leave food in their bowl so they can eat whenever they want because the dog will become obese very quickly.
Instead, you should make sure your dog knows when it’s going to be fed. Also, do check whether the food you are giving the animal has enough nutrients in it or not.
Caring for an Australian Shepherd
When you first bring an Australian Shepherd into your house, you need to make sure that you create a suitable environment for the pet. This is one of the most curious dog breeds in the world, so it’s going to get its nose everywhere it can find. Therefore, you need to make sure that you slowly introduce it to different parts of the house.
Furthermore, as a pup, you need to start off by socializing the animal and training it for pooping in specific spots. Once the dog begins to bond with you, things are going to get much easier. The dog will want to please its owner, and it is going to do everything that you want it to do.
Positive reinforcement is the way to go when training this animal, as like all dogs, this one does not understand the concept of punishment at all. Negative reinforcement should be avoided at all costs and you have to make sure that you never punish your dog. They are very intelligent, so you won’t really have to do much.
Wrapping up
The Australian Shepherd mix is a fantastic dog breed that has become quite popular and makes for an excellent pet. If you need an energetic animal that is going to stay by your side, this is one of the best dog breeds that you can go for. These dogs have a tendency to bond incredibly well with their owners, and it’s going to stick with you come hell or high water. These are just a few things that you should know about the Australian Shepherd dog.
