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A modern breed, officially recognized by the FCI only in 1996.

A lot of historical material published about the Australian Shepherd indicates that this breed does not have a clearly defined origin. The survival of sheepdogs over the centuries has depended on the needs of shepherds in many parts of the world. The Basques, the most famous group of shepherds whose origin is recorded before biblical times, are usually credited with the development of the early herding dogs. Scots, commonly known as dog breeders, have also played an important role in the development of herding dogs such as the Border Collie and the Scottish Sheepdog. Like the Basque and British dogs, the German Coolie (or simply Koolie) dogs followed the shepherds migrating to the American continent and Australia in the 18th century. In 1700, both Australia and the United States attracted many nations from all over Europe. In Australia, farmers, miners, laborers, millers and blacksmiths made up a large number of emigrants. Some of the farmers took their dogs with them because they knew they would need them. When Merino sheep were popular in Australia, Basque shepherds were brought in, most likely bringing their Pyrenean Sheepdogs and their Catalan Sheepdogs with them.

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By some researchers investigating the ancestry of the early Australian Shepherd, the Smithfield (longhair, British, closely related to the Old Scottish Collie) and German Coolie (Coolie / Koolie) appear to be the most likely dog breeds found in Australia and ultimately influenced the formation of early Australian Shepherd.

In 1788 he was recognized as one of the most popular herding dogs. Its name was taken from the central meat market in Smithfield, London, where the dogs were used to drive cattle. It is a large, strong collie with drooping ears and a shaggy coat of black, gray or red color with a white collar, or completely white. There are two varieties, one with a naturally short tail and the other with a longer tail. Currently, the breed is considered extinct. Dogs of a similar type are shown under the same name in Tasmania, Australia.

Scruff, a Tasmanian Smithfield belonging to Doug Stevenson at work at the sale yards in Launceston.(Photo Matthew Larner)

is a working and herding dog that has existed in Australia since the beginning of the 19th century. It is believed to be a descendant of the early British Shepherd Dogs. The breed was probably bred in Germany and then brought to Australia. These are dogs with brown, blue or multi-colored eyes. Short or medium length hair. Solid black or red / chocolate, “merle”, “bi”, “tri” or “tri merle”. The solid red or black Koolie is often confused with Kelpie, and some colored Koolie have been considered Border Collies by most of the public. Since all of these breeds have collie ancestors, they resemble each other. Australian German Coolie (Koolie), partly descended from old German shepherd dogs that mated with more numerous dogs of British origin. Undoubtedly, some of these dogs were among the working dogs that left Australia for America in the second half of the 19th century and in the early 20th century, when Australian sheep were imported into the American West. There, they probably played a significant role in the creation of the Australian Shepherd. Today, this breed resides mainly in Australia.

photo by Ruth Anne Stevens

The number of sheep in the Far West declined significantly during the gold rush in the late 1840s. The gold rush and civil war caused a great demand for mutton and wool, so at that time, Australian sheep herds were brought to America. The dogs that came with herds from the Midwest and East were largely collies that came to America with settlers from the British Isles. The Basques who came to the American West in the mid-1800s came from South America, Mexico, and the Basque country of Spain and France. As numerous interviews show, many young Basque people left their homeland in search of work, some took their dogs with them. The other Basque shepherds bought dogs for work after their arrival in America. Basque dogs contributed to the creation of the Aussie, but they were not the only or the main source. Relatively few dogs arriving with Basque immigrants soon had to do with the more abundant British shepherd dogs. However, the Basques undoubtedly had a great influence on the development of the Australian Shepherd by using and breeding Sheepdogs in the American West.

The early Australian Shepherd (“blue dogs”) first appeared in California along with large groups of Australian sheep. The shepherds did not know the origins and history of these little dogs, but they were delighted with their abilities and work. These blue dogs, as they were called at first, with blue, brown eyes, worked very quietly and smoothly. They never seemed to get tired. They turned out to be amenable to training, very good companions for both children and adults.

The Australian Shepherd is a distinctive Collie dog with Spanish-Basque influences. The Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed, it is not a Spanish, Basque or British breed. It is an American breed that has been developed for a long time in the United States.

There is much more to discover and perhaps one day we will know the true origin of this breed.

it is probably attributed to dogs that emigrated from Australia during World War I. In the United States, shepherd dogs arriving from Australia came to be called Australian Shepherds, although that name was not used in Australia for any breed. Instead, the name was applied in America to dogs originally from Australia. The simple fact that these dogs were not purebred when they came to America and were certainly crossed with other breeds working during their early days at home raises some doubts about the validity of the name, however Australian dogs contributed to breeding this type of dog in America hence the name of the breed, the Australian Shepherd.

In the 1950s and 1960s, long before the Australian registry was created, an Idaho dog trainer was actively promoting the intelligence of the breed he called “blue dogs.” The man is Jay Sisler. He spent over 20 years of his life traveling across the continent with his brilliant group of trained Australian Shepherds.
Jay had an Aussie long before the breed actually got its proper name and many of his dogs lived and died without registration. Jay was never a real breeder, but he contributed significantly to the popularization of the breed. In the 1950s and 1960s, with his performances organized during breaks between rodeo shows, he amazed people by showing the efficiency and training of his herding dogs performing various tricks. And so word spread quickly about the intelligence of his “blue dogs”. Jay acquired his first “blue dog” Keno around 1944. It was of no known origin. Jay’s brother, Gene, owned a bitch, which he bought at a local animal auction of unknown pedigree. In many of its variants it is known as Old Blue, Blue Starr or simply “Blue”. From the Keno and Blue matings, two deep blue merle came out, Shorty and Stub. It was this couple that impressed many rodeo fans with their spectacular tricks. His dogs were eager to work, balancing on the shoulders, climbing the ladder, and more. Rodeo fans all over the country were fascinated by the breed. Thus began the spread of the line of Sisler dogs known as “blue dogs”. Sisler’s dogs are found at the back of many Australian Shepherds’ pedigrees, although Jay never had a dog registered. He raised a few dogs but never wanted to be a dog breeder. Despite this, he is recognized as one of the founders of the breed.

Jay Sisler and his fantastic Australian Shepherds. You must watch it.

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, intelligent, versatile dog with great endurance and a great character.
However, this is not a breed for everyone.
But if you are looking for a refined, tireless and easy-to-train partner for work, sports, active life, your search may end here.

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Aussies can have different dispositions, some being more calm than others. For the most part, however, they are high energy dogs who need a purpose in their lives. Owners need to get involved, give their time and attention the aussies require through play and training. Their unfocused energy can turn into destructive and unwanted behavior by their owners. While many are friendly towards humans, the Australian Shepherd as a breed can show some degree of distrust and reserve towards strangers. The Aussie, a herding dog, who works with livestock is not inherently shy. They often show great courage and fortitude.

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent dog with strong herding and caring instincts. It is a unique companion. He is versatile and well trained, he carries out his tasks with great enthusiasm. However, future owners of a small Aussie must learn and have the knowledge to manage these typical breed’s innate instincts. For an Australian Shepherd, early socialization and obedience training are very important. Through well-planned training, you can properly manage the unlimited energy that this breed has. Their loyalty, combined with their intelligence, makes them easy to train.

Aussies are known for their ability to think independently and make independent decisions. They do not see “limitations” in their environment, only opportunities. This can manifest itself in various areas of life, from work to everyday life. Before Aussies take the opportunity, their owners should educate them about the restrictions and rules of the herd as soon as possible. From an obedience / sport training perspective, Aussie’s problem-solving ability can be embarrassing for their owners. Especially those who use repetitive exercise methods. Australian Shepherds learn very quickly and enjoy new challenges. Repetitive and predictable exercise can make the exercises too repetitive for the Australian Shepherd. Many Australian Shepherds will try to “put in their 3 cents” at this point, and what they come up with often does not go with the assumption of a guide / owner. Keeping a high level of motivation while learning and training is therefore very important.

This breed requires activities that will exercise both their physical and mental performance. The Australian Shepherd is a working, active breed. This does not mean that he only needs a big garden, “running out”, constant chasing after throwing balls and a lot of physical activity. This is a breed that needs mental stimulation just as badly. If the balance between physical and mental activities is not ensured, we will have a very physically fit dog, but unstable and mentally restless. An Aussie who is mentally satisfied can be very pleased with living in a block of flats, with regular daily leash walks and active games.

As shepherd dogs bred for years to help with sheep, cattle and general livestock, they know that they can have an impact on their environment.

If human guidance to the Aussie is weak, then he will quickly take over the leadership role. The breed needs a strong guide to show them the limits and give them the leadership they need. The Australian Shepherd likes to know what is expected of him. Otherwise, by trying to take control, it may begin to “rule” family members. Consequently, this leads to undesirable behavior. That is why unchanging rules, proper upbringing and proper guidance of the Australian Shepherd are so important from the very first months. Undoubtedly, it requires a lot of knowledge and commitment from the guide. So if you want to own a “polite” Aussie, think right away and don’t put off training until later. Remember that parenting neglect and inconsistency with the Australian Shepherd can lead to deeper problems that will later be harder to work through. With this breed, you must be aware of it.

The owner of an Aussie should be aware of the breed’s inherent characteristics, and also be aware that these characteristics may show up at different stages of his life with varying degrees of intensity. Australian Shepherd puppies need to have boundaries set right from the start and a sense of who’s the leader so that they can follow. The period of puberty (from about 8-18 months) can be particularly troublesome. Some Aussies may show defensive behavior or extreme reserve, they start trying to move the boundaries previously set by the guide. They can intentionally challenge the owner. In training during this period, they may seem distracted or uninterested in joint activities. An Aussie youngster can sometimes give the impression that he has completely forgotten what he has learned in the last few months, or suddenly forgets what he learned in the previous training. this is a stage that must be worked through. One should not ignore it and wait for the period of rebellion to “pass”. It is best then to control the environment and prevent undesirable behavior through appropriate socialization and work with the dog.

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The Australian Shepherd is perfect for those looking to have a highly trained, versatile, super-intelligent dog that can work tirelessly. If you have time and are fully committed to working with Aussie, you won’t be disappointed. These great dogs deserve great owners. Their loyalty, drive and character make a well-directed Aussie in a class of its own.

OWCZAREK AUSTRALIJSKI (FCI 342)

(AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD)

COUNTRY OF ORIGIN: USA
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE CURRENT VERSION OF THE STANDARD: March 26, 2009
UTILITY: Sheepdog and farm dog.
CLASSIFICATION FCI: Group I – Sheepdogs and Sheep Dogs
Section 1 – Sheepdogs
Without working trial

ORIGIN:
While various theories exist about the Australian Shepherd’s origins, it can be considered that the breed as we know it today originated solely in the United States. Its name comes from association with Basque Sheepdogs from Australia who came to the USA in the 19th century. Australian Shepherds became popular only after World War II, when Western riding shows, organized on the occasion of horse and rodeo shows, and eagerly shown on TV and film, came into fashion. The versatility and ease of training made Australian Shepherds useful and popular farm dogs, and their development is due to cattle and sheep breeders, who needed dogs that were versatile, intelligent, with a strong herding instinct. In addition to character traits, many followers win over Australian Shepherds for their beauty. Although these dogs are extremely colored in different colors, all of them are characterized by extraordinary devotion to their families. All these advantages provide the breed with constant and growing popularity.

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Australian Shepherd is a harmoniously built dog, of medium height and skeleton. This breed is characterized by a great variety of colors, from which you can choose according to individual taste. They are dogs with a lively temperament, willing to cooperate with the owner, fast and agile, well-muscled and quite solidly built, but not heavy, with medium-long and thick hair. The tail is cut or naturally short.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS:
The length of the body, measured from the foremost point of the sternum to the seat tubercle, is slightly longer than the height at the withers. The construction is solid, the skeleton is moderately massive. The dog should have a clear gender expression, but it must not be heavy, and the female dog should not have a slight bone.

BEHAVIOR / TEMPERAMENT:
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog with a strong herding and guarding instinct. Durable, can run all day long. He is composed, gentle by nature, not prone to arguments. At the first meeting, he may show some reserve.

HEAD:
Clean lines, strong and dry. Size in proportion to the body.

CRANIAL REGION:
SKULL: Flat or slightly arched. The occipital lump may be slightly visible. Length equal to width.
STOP: Moderate but pronounced.

FACIAL REGION:
NOSE:

Blue and black marbled dogs have black nose and lips; red, marbled and chocolate-colored dogs – chocolate. Small pink spots on the nose are acceptable for marbles, but they cannot occupy more than 25% of the nose area in a dog over the age of one. If this is the case, then this is a big disadvantage.
Muzzle: Equal length or slightly shorter than the skull. The upper lines of the muzzle and the skulls are parallel; separates a pronounced, but not too strong, stop. The muzzle tapers slightly towards the nose and is rounded at the end.
The teeth: The set of incisors touches in a scissor bite, pincer bite acceptable. Teeth white and strong.
EYES: Brown, blue, amber in various shades and combinations, also variegated and mottled. Almond shaped, neither convex nor sunken. In blue marbled and black dogs – black eyelids, in chocolate and red marbled dogs – chocolate lids. Expression lively, quick-witted and intelligent, gaze alert and friendly.
EARS: Triangular, of medium size and thickness, set high. When the dog is interested in something, they are raised and folded forward or sideways, in the shape of a rose petal.

NECK:
Strong, of medium length, slightly arched, flowing smoothly into the shoulder blades.

TORSO:
UPPER LINE: The back from the withers to the ischium is smooth, firm and straight.
Croup: Slightly truncated.
CHEST: Not very broad, but deep, reaching to the elbows.
RIBS: Long and well sprung, neither flat nor barrel-shaped.
LOWER LINE: Belly moderately tucked up.
TAIL: Straight or naturally short, not more than 10 cm.

LIMBS:

FOREQUARTERS:
Shoulder: Long, flat and sloping. The tops of the shoulder blades are quite close together. The arm, about the same length as the shoulder blade, forms an almost right angle with it.
FOREQUARTERS: Forelegs straight and square, strong. Bone strong, oval rather than round in cross-section.
Pasterns: Of medium length and only very slightly sloping. Fifth fingers can be removed.
Hind feet: Oval, tight, with well arched toes. Thick and springy pads.

HINDQUARTERS:
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The width of the rump is the same as that of the shoulder blades. Angling of the hip and knee joints corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder joint; all angles are close to straight.
KNEE JOINT: Clear.
ANKLE JOINT: Moderately angulated.
Pasterns: Short, vertical, parallel to the other, without dewclaws. Hind feet: Oval, tight, with well arched toes. Thick and springy pads.

MOVEMENT:
Free, efficient, shows no effort. The Australian Shepherd is characterized by high maneuverability and a long, long stroke

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http:/www.workingaussiesource.com/working-aussie-source-stockdog-library-a-view-of-australian-shepherd-history-by-linda-rorem/
http:/www.workingaussiesource.com/working-aussie-source-stockdog-library-history-of-the-australian-shepherd-by-phillip-c-wildhagen/
http:/www.workingaussiesource.com/working-aussie-source-stockdog-library-the-early-aussie-breeders-by-j-h-davis-and-p-wildhagen/
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http://www.shepherdswithbeardies.com/
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http://herdingontheweb.com/coolie.html
http://www.bordercolliemuseum.org/BCCousins/Smithfield/Smithfield.html
https://www.aussierescueil.com/