Photo: Christoph Aeschlimann · CC BY-SA 3.0 dog breed · 927 on Animalso
Australian Shepherd
- Animal
- Dog
- Type
- Herding dog
- Origin
- United States, Australia
- Height
- 46 cm
- Life expectancy
- 13 years
About the Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd, often called the Aussie, is a herding dog breed developed in the United States. Despite its name, it was developed in California in the 19th century. Its background is linked to sheepdog breeds from northwest Spain and collies brought with sheep from Australia and New Zealand; the breed is believed to have taken its name from that trade. The breed was originally used for herding and later became a popular companion dog in North America. Its recorded origins include the United States and Australia. The listed height is 46, and its life expectancy is 13 years. For people considering a dog, those details offer a brief picture of its herding background and expected lifespan.
What stands out
- Herding dog with an established working background
- Also became a companion breed in North America
Worth knowing
- Background includes origins in more than one region
Who it suits
It may suit people interested in a herding breed that is also kept as a companion dog. Its background includes work herding sheep.
In short
The Australian Shepherd has a herding history and is also described as a popular companion dog in North America. Its listed life expectancy is 13 years.
More dog breeds from United States
American Bulldog United States Lives 10 yrs Photo: Bully Rascalz · Copyrighted free use 
Other herding dog breeds
American foxhound United States Height 53 cmWeight 30 kgLives 11 yrs Photo: Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 
American Pit Bull Terrier United States Height 50 cmLives 12 yrs Photo: Kpo!:D · Public domain 
American Staffordshire Terrier United States Height 43 cmLives 10 yrs Photo: Svenska Mässan · CC BY-SA 4.0 
Photo credits17 photographs on this page
- Australian Shepherd — Christoph Aeschlimann · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Alapaha Blue Blood Bulldog — Mjrustline · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Alaskan Klee Kai — Gnuyen · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Akita — Edwin Campos · CC0 · file page
- American Bulldog — Bully Rascalz · Copyrighted free use · file page
- American Bully — Juan. botti · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Cocker Spaniel — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American English Coonhound — BurnAway · CC BY 2.0 · file page
- American Eskimo Dog — Christmas w/a K · CC BY-SA 2.0 · file page
- American foxhound — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Hairless Terrier — Nyaah · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- American Leopard Hound — DTabCam · CC0 · file page
- American Pit Bull Terrier — Kpo!:D · Public domain · file page
- American Staffordshire Terrier — Svenska Mässan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · file page
- American Water Spaniel — Wikimedia Commons contributor · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
- Black and Tan Coonhound — Steffen Heinz · CC BY-SA 2.5 · file page
- Blue Lacy — TrueBlueLacys · CC BY-SA 3.0 · file page
Photographs come from Wikimedia Commons under the licence each one names. How Animalso credits photographs.