Dogs in the Spotlight: Australian Shepherd
Often affectionately called “Aussies”, Australian Shepherds are highly energetic, delightfully intelligent, fiercely loyal, and an all-around American favorite. In fact, despite a name that suggests otherwise, they were developed on the ranches in the United States. They are great companion, family, and herding dogs. They’re also extremely high energy and need a lot of exercise or they can become hyper, anxious, and prone to chewing.
Size, build, and appearance
Aussies are a mid-sized dog. Males weigh approximately 40-60 lbs., and stand between 18-23 inches tall. Females weigh about 35-55 lbs., and stand 18-22 inches. They are sturdy dogs without being thick. They have a strong head proportionate to their bodies; their shoulders are broad with backs that narrow at hips, and their chests are considered well sprung.
There are a few very distinct features known to Aussies. One is the “ghost eye”, which is a light, almost-white colored iris. These light irises can occur in part of an eye, one eye, or both, while other eye colors include brown or amber. Another distinguishing feature is the bobbed tail. Sometimes these stubby tails occur naturally, but they’re also sometimes docked at birth. This practice may begin to die out as it’s starting to be banned in some countries.
Their marbled coats are another unique feature, and come in a few different color combinations:
- black-white-tan
- red with white markings
- blue merle with gray
- black mottled patchwork or red merle with mottled white patchwork
Australian Shepherds coats are double-layered. A longish, waterproof overcoat can have a pretty, soft sheen when brushed regularly. A thick undercoat helps keep the dogs warm in cooler months, but can also cause a fair amount of shedding as the seasons begin to warm.
Lifespan
Aussies typically live between 11 and 13 years, typical for dogs of their size.
Personality traits
Because Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and natural herders, they have a strong need for mental and physical stimulation. They are naturally driven to work, and they like having “jobs” around the house. This drive also means they need a lot of exercise. Without those activities, they can become anxious.
They are also exceedingly kind, loving, and guarding of those they love. If treated well and trained, these dogs make exceptional family, police, and cattle dogs.
Health-related complications
Australian Shepherds are generally healthy dogs but are prone to a few health disorders. These can be hereditary, caused by wear and tear, or a result of trauma. Complications include:
Seizures or epilepsy
Seizures, and epilepsy in particular, can occur more frequently with Aussies than in most breeds. These seizures are caused when abnormal and uncontrolled bursts of electrical activity occur in the brain. They can result in confusion, loss of consciousness, uncontrollable jerking or shaking, drooling, collapsing, foaming at the mouth, along with tongue chewing, and sometimes a loss of urinary and bowel functions.
Epilepsy and seizures can be caused by a range of conditions — everything from genetics, exposure to toxins, or electrolyte or metabolic disturbances in the body.
Eye or hearing loss
Aussies have a higher rate of eye and hearing complications from hereditary issues known as “double merle”, in which dogs are born with two copies of the merle gene. These double-merle dogs have a lack of melanocytes, or melanin-producing cells which result in increased potassium levels that affect ears and eyes. As a result, they’re often born with a lot of white in their coats and eyes. Many breeders will cull these dogs, though a few unscrupulous breeders will sell them as “rare” — without disclosing information on the potential complications.
Hip and elbow dysplasia
Aussies tend toward a hereditary malformation of the head of the femur or humerus, This is known as dysplasia, and it causes the ball-shaped bone to improperly fit the joint socket. This poor fit can result in pain and make it difficult for Aussies to stand up, run, jump, or climb stairs.
Some dogs require no treatment, but if yours does, a range of traditional and non-traditional treatments are available to help ease symptoms and discomfort.
Please note that this blog is intended to inform only and is not intended as a tool for diagnosis. If your pet is suffering from any of the above conditions, please consult with a veterinarian.
Medical breakthroughs for furry friends
The good news is that there is a lot you can do to treat or manage common health conditions in Australian Shepherds — and new advancements for health support are showing even more promising results.
Stem cell therapies utilize your pup’s own stem cells to help alleviate conditions that may slow them down as they age. Stem cell therapies have been shown to improve the quality of life of dogs with issues like chronic dry eye and skin conditions, age-related conditions like osteoarthritis, diseases that affect kidney, bowels, and spine, and injuries like torn ligaments and tendons. To reap the benefits of stem cell therapy, these precious stem cells can easily be collected and banked during the spay/neuter procedure.
If you have your heart set on an Aussie, don’t be swayed by fear of health conditions —overall, they’re one of the healthiest breeds. They are also truly wonderful pets for people who can keep them loved and occupied. What’s more, there’s now a lot you can do to decrease health risks, like working with a reputable breeder, keeping them active, banking stem cells, and using other non-traditional treatments, like supplements or acupuncture.
Learn more about regenerative medicine and its potential for increasing the happy, healthy years you and your Australian Shepherd spend together.
