Australian Shepherd Dog: Proper Care

The breed begins in the 1800s when, as a result of the colonization of the Australian continent, imported breeds began to interbreed with local breeds. There is no clear version of the origin. In the blood of the Australian shepherd's dog (APS) there are Dalmatian and marble-blue collies.

Another name for the breed is the Australian healers. Brought out specifically for grazing cattle. They successfully fulfill the complex task of keeping a herd without the participation of a person. So clever and responsible are these dogs. Breeds Australian shepherd dog and Australian short-tailed shepherd dog are close relatives. Although the latter, unlike the former, are not recognized by the International Cynological Federation (FCI).

A dog is an Australian shepherd. History

The basis of this breed was the so-called Hall healers. In 1802 George Hall arrived with his family to the colony of New South Wales. He needed cattle dogs in order to have advantages over competitors. Shepherds imported from England poorly adapted to the Australian climate. Obviously, then the idea arose to cross the dogs with dingoes. The case of George was continued by his son Thomas. It is for sure not known what gave the healers a blue color. According to one version, the ancestor of the APS was the Northumberland blue marble cattle dog.

This breed was distinguished by excellent working qualities, but, unfortunately, long ago disappeared. The Australian shepherd dog of its own character and characteristic color took it from the Northumberland shepherd's dogs. From the dingo, the breed was endured with endurance to the hot climate of the Australian continent, as well as a luxurious tail. The Australian short-tailed shepherd dog is somewhat closer to the Northumberland cattle. Although there is very little evidence of them, some descriptions indicate the presence of a short tail.

Features of the breed

The Australian shepherd dog is very hardy, which allows it to work all day in the field, preserving its playfulness and energy. These are tireless guards, companions, faithful and reliable watchmen. They keep puppy fervor, health and quick reaction to old age.

These charming shepherds of cattle are almost universal. Australian healers are ideal for use in farming. Flexible, strong and hardy, they practically do not need training.

Signs of the breed

The Australian shepherd breed is compact, symmetrical, has a working constitution. Excellent muscles are the main virtue that an Australian shepherd dog can boast. The nature of animals is very balanced, any deviation towards nervousness and aggression is considered a marriage.

In Norov there should be courage, endurance. The dog is obliged to react to strangers from puppyhood. Any departure from the breed standard for a puppy is a serious mistake.

Head with a wide skull, between the ears is slightly bent. Its dimensions are proportional to the body. The lower jaw is strong, the lips are stiff. Ophthalmic ovate, not sunken, but not convex. Watchfulness is present in the eyes, he always expresses his attention. The ears are medium or small, standing, sharp and dense. They are widely placed on the skull, tense in case of anxiety.

The shoulders of the APS are strong, muscular, sloping. Paws are powerful, straight, the pasterns bend at a slight angle. The proportions of the body should be strictly observed. The ratio between the height at the withers and the length from the chest to the buttocks along the straight is 9:10. Height at the withers is 43-51 cm.

The hind legs are muscular, with wide and sloping hips. The croup itself is slightly sloping. The tail is located low. Dangles with a slight bend. The back gives the impression of an elongated one. The gait is free, the movements are incomplete. The ability to quickly change position is mandatory.

Wool and color

Smooth wool with a short thick undercoat should protect from overheating under the hot sun of the Australian continent. Along the withers, the fur is thicker and longer. The average size of the wool is from 2 to 4 cm. The color of the dog varies from gray to red. Most often there is a marble pattern, black and red spots, especially on the muzzle. The characteristic color is gray with black glasses around the eyes. There is also a blue, mottled blue color. Suppose a brown undercoat, but brown marks are undesirable. Currently, dogs with red color are isolated in a special form. There is more dingo in their blood.

Features of development

Since the dog is working, it needs to provide mobility. Dog handlers note that healers are not very fit for living in an apartment. APS is able to overcome tens of kilometers a day. For a harmonious development the puppy simply needs outdoor games. In addition to energy, these dogs possess high intellectual abilities, which also need to be developed. This means that in addition to running, you need classes and games where the dog can show his wit. Well, if you live in a rural area, and the dog has the ability to graze at least a small herd. If there are no suitable conditions, agility will be the best training.

Caring for wool

If you like walking and sports, but caring for a pet's pet seems complicated, your ideal friend is an Australian shepherd's dog.

Care of the coat is simple - just walk a little on it with a brush. In the grooming APS do not need. Clothes in winter are not required. Undercoat provides the necessary thermal insulation, and the breed is able to withstand the cold not only in the middle band of Russia, but also in Siberia. In the rest the dog is unpretentious.

For shine of a wool and good state of health use only natural additives. For example: spirulina, dry sea kale, fish oil, flaxseed oil. Do not overstate the dosage. Add food gradually.

Moulting in a bitch happens twice a year after estrus. Males molt once a year. The Australian shepherd dog does not smell, so does not need regular washing. Cleaning the wool with a brush is preferable. You can wipe it with a cloth moistened with vinegar. From dirt to wash the dog can and water. The unique wool of the healer is capable of self-cleaning.

A dog is an Australian shepherd. Menu

Shepherd dog by definition should eat modestly. In general, rules apply to APS. The most important is the degree of loading. A full-fledged working dog needs more protein food. Australian breeders mainly use natural food for their healers. Veterinarians developed a special BASF system. These recommendations on nutrition are followed by many Russian breeders. You can see for yourself how unpretentious the Australian shepherd dog is. The price of its maintenance is also quite acceptable.

In adult APS diet is 3-5% of weight. 60% of it is meat or fish products. In doing so, they should be fresh and raw, excluding beef liver. The main share of meat should be by-products - chicken necks and ridges, beef heart (with cut fat), and a scar. The liver should be dried in the oven for 5-10 minutes. Small pieces are given out during walks or in training as a reward. The Australian shepherd dog loves the movement and games. It is useful to give the trim without fat and the meat on the bone. Preferably beef shank. Several times a week you need to give fish, you can use the ridges and heads of salmon.

A couple of times a week, give fresh curds in small portions. Remember that the dog's body is able to digest only slightly weathered meat. As for other stale products, which are a pity to throw out, they can cause irreparable harm to health. Dairy products can contribute to false pregnancy. For the same reason, it is not necessary to give sour milk to bitches in the period after estrus. Chicken eggs can be included in the diet. Give them raw, but not more than 1-2 pieces per week. Well go quail eggs.

Vegetables: potatoes, carrots, beets, pumpkin, zucchini, cabbage, greens. All preferably from their garden or farm. Arrive a small amount of vegetables in vegetable oil, pour broth or mix with meat or fish by-products and give the dog once a day. If you often feed the healer with red fish, beets or carrots, his hair will become brown. To preserve its hue, minimize the use of these products, replacing them with non-red analogs.

What is not worth giving to the dog food?

It is undesirable to have smoked, salty and spicy food, fried, mushrooms in the menu. The use of fatty meat, pork, onions, garlic, yeast bread affects negatively. Sweets and chocolate can kill your pet. As a treat you can use not only the liver, but also cucumber, apples. In the winter, add a tablespoon of dried berries daily. Ideally healthy by nature, the Australian shepherd dog takes proper care and nutrition with gratitude. This lynx will make you and your family move quite a lot and often be outdoors.

Age, illness, content

APS live 10-13 years. Typical diseases: arthrosis, arteriosclerosis of the joints, eye cataracts, retinal dystrophy. Sometimes healers are born deaf. The pedigree needs careful checking. Once outside the herd, the dogs graze everything they can. Any moving object can become an object of close attention for this dog. They graze a herd of healers, lightly biting his limbs for accessible parts of the body. Note that the puppy will try to move everything on the tooth. Proper nutrition and suitable conditions will make your pet happy and healthy.