Just when we thought we’d heard of 180 recognized breeds, the American Kennel Club brings a new generation of great dogs to the pack.
An Italian working dog and a cuddly cotton canine are among the five newest members of the AKC’s Miscellaneous Class, which is the level a breed and its parent club reaches just before it is recognized completely. You may not have heard of these dogs yet, but their ardent fans hope you’ll soon fall in love with these rising canine stars.
They don’t really come from Australia
Latest news: The Australian Shepherd doesn’t come from Australia. Looks like we can remove exchange students from the list.
Although believed to be derived from European Sheepdogs, Australian Shepherds are about as authentically American as a dog breed can be. With roots dating back to Native Americans, these dogs were vital in the westward expansion of the United States and were crucial to rural North American communities.1
What Creates the Natural Wag Tail? ?
The natural bobbed tail is a recessive gene within the genetic code of the Australian Shepherd breed. This genetic mutation slows down the tail, naturally creating a shorter tail that is only one or two vertebrae long.
The recessive gene responsible for the natural wagging of an Australian Shepherd’s tail is the T gene mutation, also known as the C189G gene. This genetic trait exists within every Australian Shepherd puppy, and puppies born with a bobbed tail carry one copy of this gene. While not all Australian puppies display the C189G gene mutation, all Australians possess the ability to pass on the recessive gene.
Black Australian Shepherd
Black Australian Shepherds may also be called Black Australian Shepherds because of the white markings on their legs, chest, and face.
The black and white are also sometimes accompanied by copper markings which help give the Aussie a different appearance from the Border Collie.
Calm and friendly
In general, Australian Shepherds have a great temperament. They are affectionate, good with children, and generally good with other pets. They have a herding instinct, which can make them wary of strangers approaching their families, but they are generally not aggressive dogs and would rather play and make friends than attack.
Australian Shepherds tend to be adventurous, but they are easy to please and seem to enjoy life, no matter what’s in it!