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14 Interesting Facts About Australian Shepherds You Probably Didn`t Know

Published: · Modified: by Alka Polischuk · This post may contain affiliate links

Aside from the fact that Australian Shepherds are loyal, easygoing, and dependable. These dogs are great family pets, police dogs, herding animals, and competitors in obedience trials, but there are actually lots of amazing things about them that you probably didn't know.

So, here are 14 interesting facts about Australian Shepherds you probably didn't know.

#1 They are also called Aussies

An Australian Shepherd puppy biting the flower in the hand of a woman
Other Names : Aussie, Little Blue Dog, Blue Heelers, "American dog boy toy"?, Pastor Dogs, Bob-Tails, Spanish Shepherds, New Mexican Shepherds, and California Shepherds?.

#2 Aussies don’t really originate in Australia

An Australian Shepherd standing on the floor while holding a teddy bear stuffed toy with its mouth
Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd originated in the western U.S., not Australia, around the time of the Gold Rush in the 1840s.

#3 The rodeo has made them famous

An Australian Shepherd new born puppy lying on its bed
They became known to the general public through rodeos, horse shows, and Disney movies made for television.

#4 The American natives regarded Aussies as sacred

An Australian Shepherd puppy lying on the floor behind its toy
Some Indian tribes called this dog breed the “Ghost Eye Dog” because of its phantom-like eyes.

#5 There are Australian Shepherds in different sizes

pack of Australian Shepherds sitting on the kitchen floor with their happy faces
The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) standard calls for the Australian shepherd to stand between 18 and 23 inches (46 and 58 cm) at the withers, females being 18 to 22 inches (46 to 56 cm) and males measuring 19 to 23 inches (48 to 58 cm); however, quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.

#6 They often have two different colored eyes?

two Australian Shepherd lying in the backyard
The Aussie is one of a few dog breeds that commonly have two different colored eyes, called heterochromia. The Australian Shepherd might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes.

#7 Many Australian Shepherds have short tails

A woman carrying a Australian Shepherd puppy in her arms
Roughly one in five Australian Shepherds will have a natural bobtail, meaning they were born without a tail.

#8 The Australian Shepherds can have merle coats

An Australian Shepherd standing on the floor with its begging face
Today, you can find Aussies in many different colors, although only black, red, red merle and blue merle are accepted by the American Kennel Club.

#9 Australian Shepherds have many jobs

An adult Australian Shepherd lying down while being surround with Australian Shepherd puppies
In addition to being herding dogs, Australian Shepherds serve as Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, drug-sniffing dogs, and search and rescue dogs.

#10 Aussies need a lot of exercises

An Australian Shepherd sitting on the floor with its begging face
Australian Shepherds need roughly 30 to 60 minutes of exercise a day, preferably with high-energy activities like playing Frisbee???.

#11 Australian Shepherds are very intelligent

An Australian Shepherd running in the field with its tongue sticking out
In fact, they're tied for the 65th smartest dog breed – according to famed researcher Stanley Coren.

#12 Be careful your Aussie will herd your children

An Australian Shepherd lying down on its bed
If they have too much rest, they could use their natural instincts and start to take care of other things in your house.

#13 Aussies are extremely popular

An Australian Shepherd puppy at the beach and looking sideways
One of the most popular dogs in the United States, the Australian Shepherd is an unbelievably loyal dog. It's also extremely smart and even holds a world record???.

#14 Aussies are very good family dogs

An Australian Shepherd puppy sleeping on its bed with its toy
If you're seeking a hard-working, loyal, and intelligent companion, then the Australian Shepherd may be the ideal family pet for you???.
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