All About the Australian Shepherd Dog Breed

The Australian Shepherd is an American breed that was designed to work on cattle ranches. They are a mid-sized active breed that grows to be between 18 and 23 inches tall and they usually weigh between 35 and 70 pounds. They have a medium length double coat that can be straight or wavy. This breed has a variegated coat that can be red, blue merle, black, or red merle. Their coats can also have markings. This breed has a few health issues that you will want to look out for, deafness, sight problems, and hip dysplasia.

Characteristics and behavior of the Australian Shepherd

When picking out an Australian Shepherd to add to your family you will want to make sure that the puppy comes from a family line that has not been bred for aggressiveness. The non-aggressive lines of this breed make excellent pets. The more aggressive lines are better suited for working with cattle and other herding animals.

Routine health care and grooming for the Australian Shepherd

To care for this breed you will need to groom and bathe them only as it becomes necessary. However, if you notice a burr or other plant material tangled in their coats you will want to remove it as quickly as possible to avoid matting and skin irritation. This is a smart breed that responds well to obedience training. Both the aggressive lines and the non-aggressive lines of this breed should undergo some type of obedience training to keep them safe and to prevent problems in your household.

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