Australian Shepherd

History

His exact origin is unknown but the breed we know today was developed in the United States and is not a native of Australia as his name implies.
He is called an Australian Sheppard because he was developed from Basque Shepherd dogs who came from Australia
He was developed as a herding dog
He has been used as a ranch dog, guide dog, hearing dog, drug detector, search-and-rescue dog, and therapy dog.

He likes nothing more the being with you and bonds very closely to you
He has a natural tendency to herd; whether it be sheep, children, guests, or small animals and may nip at their feet to get them moving
He can be highly protective of his property
He has a lot of stamina and is very nimble, and quick on his feet
He's good natured and not aggressive
He takes a while to warm up to strangers
He is highly intelligent, a fast learner, and excels at guarding and herding
He loves to play!
If he's bored he will find ways to entertain himself and can become destructive

He sheds profusely! You will find a lot of hair in your home - stuck to your couch, carpets and clothes - and to just about everything else. You will be vacuuming regularly.

His medium-length coat only needs to be brushed occasionally. However, because it sheds profusely you may find yourself brushing it a couple of times a week, or even daily, to reduce the hair in your home (what you remove with a brush doesn't end up on the couch!).