The Australian Shepherd, often called the "Aussie", is a herding breed of dog. They have a blue merle, red merle or black, red and white coat. The breed is thought to have first originated in the 1800s and herding sheep is what they were initially raised for. They are a popular selection as a herding dog, for movie roles, for search and rescue or as guide dogs nowadays. Characteristics like their high versatility, trainability and intelligence are things they are well-known for. The breed is thought to have been created in the Pyrenees Mountains between Spain and France and they were developed from the Carea Leones from Spain and various British herding dogs.

They are classed as a medium sized dog. The suggested male guidelines are 50-65 pounds and a height of 20-23 inches, while the female guidelines are 40-55 pounds with a height of 18-21 inches. The breed is famous for their bold, alert and confident temperament. The breed is generally shy towards strangers, and this makes them unsuitable as a protection dog. The breed is known to be highly intelligent, but is ranked 42nd compared with every other breed when learning new obedience commands.

They are great with children (but may try to herd them), which can mean they are suitable for a family pet. They do live peacefully with other pets such as other dogs and smaller animals. Taking care of their coat is a straightforward task. They require moderate brushing through their coat every few days, and a full-body groom once every couple of months. They like having a large backyard that gives them space to run around, and won't be suited to staying in an apartment.

They are predominantly longer-lived, like a good number of medium sized breeds, and have a life expectancy of 12-14 years. Their major health concern is Collie Eye Anomaly, and they're also susceptible to autoimmune disorders, hip dysplasia, epilepsy or eye defects. They have fun doing things like agility, flyball or herding. They have a high level of energy, and that means they need very long walks (plus other physical challenges) every day to prevent the threat of bad behavior.

You need to be prepared to meet their high demand for physical and mental stimulation if you choose to buy the Australian Shepherd. They're a good choice for active owners with a large yard and job to give them, but less suitable for inactive owners or apartment dwellers. Perhaps the main reason why dog owners find this breed so attractive is the fact it has a high level of intelligence and versatility that makes it possible to teach almost anything.