Australian Shepherd Archives (2024)

FAQs

What is the rarest Australian Shepherd? ›

Solid red is the rarest color of official AKC-recognized Australian Shepherds, which only makes them more precious. These beautiful Aussies range from light cinnamon to dark chestnut and every shade in between. The lightest red Aussie appears copper, almost gold under the right light.

Australian Shepherd History

Their Pyrenean Shepherds crossbred with other working dogs, including Collies and Border Collies, creating the modern version of the Australian Shepherd.

The Australian Shepherd may range between $1,000 and $2,000. If you decide to be a pet parent it's important to get all the information about the breed and its needs before you bring them home.

As generally healthy dogs, the average Australian Shepherd lifespan is 12–15 years.

What is a mismark? A dog with white in places the breed standard does not allow it. A white body splash would be a good example. Have mismarked Aussies become more frequent than they were years ago? Possibly, though it is difficult to know for sure.

Their strong work drive can be too much for some dog owners, and if you're not looking for an active breed, they may not be the right breed for you. They also have an extreme herding impulse, and will heard anything, from birds to kids and other dogs.

At What Age Do Australian Shepherds Calm Down? An Australian Shepherd will always be a lively dog, but you may notice them calm slightly after two years of age when they mature. However, some may only quiet down once they reach old age.

The Border Collie, Poodle, and German Shepherd consistently top rankings as the three smartest dog breeds. Dr. Stanley Coren, a canine psychologist, placed Australian Shepherds in 42nd place on his list of most intelligent dogs. The Kuvasz was listed alongside the Australian Shepherd at number 42.

They do sometimes tend to pick a favorite person, but are generally affectionate to their entire families. A working dog at heart, the Aussie has a built-in affinity for herding. In fact, he may even try to herd his human pals!

Besides working as herding animals, Aussies serve as police dogs, narcotics detectors and competitors in obedience trials. They also make great family pets. They are a recent addition to the AKC herding group some Aussie breeders fear AKC recognition may create undue emphasis on appearance over ability.

Why are blue merle Aussies so expensive? ›

Some breeders may charge more for certain colors due to their rarity or popularity among buyers. For example, blue merle Australian Shepherds are often considered more desirable and therefore might be priced higher than other colors.

Females are a bit more independent than males and do not require as much attention or praise. Both sexes are active, but females seem to enjoy a slower-paced exercise and playtime regimen. Females are more sensitive, especially when it comes to who and what is encroaching on their territory.

Vision problems, epilepsy, and cancers are the primary health concerns with this breed. Approximately 30% of all Australian Shepherds die due to cancer or cancer-related problems. The Australian Shepherd has a lifespan of around 11 - 13 years, which is not uncommon for a dog of its size.

The truth is, most Aussies do enjoy a cuddle with their owner or close family member, but you will find some dogs of this breed that aren't that big of fans. It all depends on the dog itself, its individual personality, and its temperament.

Aussies are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancer. An Aussie's ears should be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, and his teeth should be brushed regularly.

Isabella. Isabella-colored German Shepherds, also known as lilac German Shepherds, are the rarest of the rare when it comes to GSDs. Their pigment is the result of the recessive combination of blue and liver that comes from their parents.

The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference.

The Berger Picard (/bɛərˌʒeɪ pɪˈkɑːr/ bair-ZHAY pih-KAR, French: [bɛʁʒe pikaʁ]) or Picardy Shepherd, is a French herding dog originating in Picardy. These dogs nearly became extinct after both World War I and World War II and remain a rare breed.

While black Australian Shepherds aren't terribly common, they do exist. In fact, there are four recognized colors of this breed and one of them is black. Therefore, while this dog may be rarer than most, they aren't extremely rare as some may have you believe.