Now that you understand a little more about the Australian Shepherd, it’s time to check out some of the most amazing Australian Shepherd mixes! Some of these beauties are just amazing!
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Appearance and Physical Characteristics
Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs that stand between 18 and 23 inches tall and weigh up to 70 pounds
The Miniature Australian Shepherd is slightly smaller, standing between 13 and 18 inches tall with females generally on the smaller side and weighing between 20 and 40 pounds.
Dwarfism
Sometimes one of the genes responsible for dwarfism occurs by chance, but more often it is introduced by interbreeding. Creating a mini breed in this way will reduce the size of a dog by shortening their legs, but they also tend to have overly large heads.
So a Mini Australian Shepherd with dwarfism will not look proportionally the same as the standard breed. It also carries a risk of painful muscular and skeletal side effects.
PUPPY
Puppies need to be given clear leadership and guidance from a very early age, right from the start. They must have clear limits and understand that the human being is in control of their behavior. This does not mean harshness or strictness, but that the human being must control all aspects of the puppy’s life in a way that the puppy can perceive it. Play, food, toys and access to valuable items must be carefully controlled so that the puppy clearly understands who is the leader in the household.
Most Aussies are «easy pups», and far too many Aussie owners go through the «easy pup phase» without considering the consequences.
An Aussie who hasn’t had much practice bowing to a human’s wishes doesn’t easily take direction at times when direct compliance is needed. It is advisable to train his pup to be obedient, docile and non-argumentative during the part of his life that is easiest…the puppy stage.
Basic Facts About Australian Shepherds
According to the Australian Shepherd Club of America, the Australian’s experience as a working dog is evident in his physique. Australian Shepherds are medium-sized, deep-chested, and slightly longer than they are tall, with relatively straight front legs, a combination that helps them maintain both agility and stamina. Depending on the sex, they range in size from 18 to 23 inches tall and 40 to 65 pounds. Their coats are medium length, somewhat thick, and weather resistant, helping them to work in any weather conditions, and they come in Blue Blackbird, Red Blackbird, Black, and Red varieties, all of which commonly have tan and white.
Aussies also have bright, alert eyes, which betray their high level of intelligence (working dogs use their intense gaze to communicate with their packs and herds). While they most often have brown eyes, it is not uncommon for Aussies, especially merle varieties, to have blue or even heterochromatic (one blue and one brown) eyes. And an amazing feature: 20% of Australians have naturally waggled tails.