You may know that these days Australian shepherds are an extremely common dog breed and the one that lives all around the globe. For instance, this dog breed is extremely popular in the United States. In the United Kingdom, they are popular but not as much. These dogs are very intelligent, they have a lot of energy and they love to play. In other words, all the right ingredients a pet should have. Let’s see 10 facts about this dog breed that will amaze you.
10 Facts About Australian Shepherds
1. Australian Shepherds Are Not From Australia
Yes, that’s right. Australian shepherds didn’t come from Australia but rather Spain. They started life in the Basque region. When these shepherds inhabited Australia, dogs inhabited it as well. After that people carried them to the United States. People in the United States consider them as Australian dog breeds despite the fact they are from Europe. Most people and even some owners don’t know that. It is important to add that the breed we have today was completely bred in the United States.
2. They Have Short Tails Due To A Reason
You may see a dog of this breed with a very short tail. You may even believe that it is just a characteristic and nothing more. In reality, these dogs have short tails because breeders need this. A short tail makes a dog much safer during herding. As we all know these are herding dogs hence a short tail is a massive advantage and a nice trait to have. Some people like this look while others don’t. It is up to you.
3. These Dogs Are Popular Thanks To Rodeos
In the United States, many farmers had and still have Australian shepherds. They are great because they can herd animals easily. They also participate in rodeos, and they can perform many tricks. All of this means that the breed we have here is popular thanks to their appearance in rodeos. In addition, these dogs are also known as Aussies so we can use that term later on.
4. Australian Shepherds Shed All The Time
Some people including many owners of these dogs will claim that they shed 2 times per year. This is not an issue and is common for most dog breeds. Well, Australian shepherds shed all the time. This can be a huge issue if you want to keep one in a small apartment. You will have to clean it on a regular basis and it can be annoying or problematic sometimes. Luckily if you have a backyard and you can keep him there, shedding is not a huge issue. You will still have to clean the backyard though. Don’t believe everything owners tell you about these pets.
5. They Still Have Many Names
Aussies are still dogs with many names. Some people call them Spanish shepherds which actually makes more sense. But, you can hear many other names. Some of the examples include Bob-Tails, New Mexican Shepherds, Blue Heelers, Pastor Dogs, California Shepherds, and many more. Each name here is interesting and some of these will amaze you even more.
6. Australian Shepherds Can Be Used For Many Things
Yes, these dogs are shepherds and we all know what does means. But, over history, they had and still have a lot of different jobs. Many individuals use them as Seeing Eye dogs or even hearing dogs. But, authorities have been using them as rescue and also sniffing dogs for decades.
Thanks to their intelligence and an obviously strong sense of smell they can work almost anything. It is one of those breeds that has been commonly appealing due to so many reasons. Different jobs are just one of those things. Of course, every dog must complete special training before you can give him a job with a responsibility like this.
7. Native Americans Believe These Dogs Are Sacred
Believe it or not, Native Americans consider these dogs sacred. This is the case due to pale blue eyes. These are ghost eyes and they are the main reason why these people consider Australian shepherds sacred. Over history, this was an interesting topic. It is still strange and interesting today. The ghost eyes are definitely stunning and not something you can easily see every single day on the street.
8. Hyper Hank Was A Celebrity
Hyper Hank is actually a dog of this breed who was very successful in Frisbee games. In the 70s he and his owner Eldon McIntire were celebrities and they traveled across the country and enjoyed all kinds of spectacles. The best-known of them all is the fact they performed at the Super Bowl at the White House. This is a big deal and one of those facts you will rarely see. Australian shepherds have a lot of energy and they are smart hence you can teach one to play anything you like or do anything you want him to do.
9. Heterochromia Is Common In This Breed
Heterochromia means that a dog has 2 eyes with different colors. Australian Shepherds are well-known for this. It is common to see a dog with blue, hazel, brown, amber, and believe it or not, green eyes. Some dogs even have multiple colors present in one eye. There are not a lot of dog breeds with this characteristic which means Australian shepherds are rare and special.
10. Australian Shepherd Will Follow You Everywhere You Go
You may have heard that some dogs are Velcro pets. This means that they will always be with you, even when you want to go to the bathroom. Well, Australian shepherds are similar. They love their owner and they will go or better said follow him all the time. This is one of the reasons why Australian shepherds are great family pets and why they are so popular today
The Final Word
Australian Shepherds are special dogs and they are great pets. If you want to adopt one, make sure you know more about the breed. Each dog breed is different and has different needs and requirements. You must know all of these before you adopt a dog of that breed.