Australian Shepherd Puppies for Sale

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History of the Australian Shepherd

Contrary to the popular belief, the Australian Shepherd is actually an American, even Californian, dog. Indeed, AS dogs came to North America at the beginning of the last century and helped farmers graze sheep. The breed became known as the “Australian” as the sheep were brought from Down Under. The Australian Kelpie and the Border Collie may have been the ancestors of the Australian Shepherds. Aussies were a quick favorite with sheepmen, given their peaceful attitude towards livestock. These skills and instincts largely survived and are present in living Oz dogs.

The Australian Shepherd review: sharp, work-oriented, enthusiastic

The Australian Shepherd is known for its standout beauty and good nature. A knowing look, an unusual, striking color pattern and expressive eyes – that is all Australian Shepherd. This dog is unreservedly loyal to its owners. If you are looking for a truly reliable and affectionate pet companion, take a closer look at the Australian. Often called Aussies, these puppies are easy to train to obey orders, they make excellent guide and guard dogs. Australian Shepherds are very friendly with other breeds, though occasionally can feel territorial and show dominance. The Shepherd is a fitting combination of rare intelligence and bright appearance. They love spending time with their owner’s family and enjoy outdoor walks. Keep in mind that Aussies are very social and cannot be left alone for long. If you opt for an Oz pup, make sure you will be able to give your new friend a lot of time.

Everything Australian Shepherd: breed characteristics in brief

These dogs are very active and cheerful. Aussies are social and make contact with other canines pretty fast. They don’t show aggression when first meeting other puppies, indeed they are very peaceful and calm. Even around cats and small mammals, Aussies remain friendly and composed. Don’t worry if you already have small pets at home, your Australian Shepherd is bound to befriend them in no time.

Some core features of Australian Shepherds would include:

Sizes? Of medium built, males have a height of 18-23 inches, and females slightly shorter, around 18-21.5 in. A healthy Aussie’s weight should not exceed 77 lbs.
If you have small children at home, assume you have already found them a best friend. Leaving a baby with an Aussie around needn’t be a worry– your children will be absolutely safe.
Fond of hikes and sports? - the Australian Shepherd is the perfect choice for you. This breed loves walking and feels great outdoors. Aussies need lots of time being active to splash out energy; to keep your Shepherd healthy mentally and physically, make sure to provide it with abundant physical activity and play time. Born roamers won’t ask for extra stimulation to venture out.
Plenty of walking guarantees against excessive barking and leaves your furniture and shoes intact.
An Australian will not show aggression on its own, but if provoked, this loyalist will do whatever it takes to protect its owner and family. Given their strong teeth and well-developed body, Aussies could do a lot of damage to their opponent.
Their physical appearance gives them a smart, expressive look. When meeting a stranger, they start alerted but quickly become friendlier.
The average lifespan would be a significant 12-15 years.

What kind of health an Australian Shepherd has

This is a sturdy lot with strong genetic constitution and resilient health profile. Most hereditary diseases pass down from parents. Environmental issues beyond our control and neglect or mistakes in daily maintenance may aggravate the picture. Injuries, if left untreated, add up to the complicated assortment.

A potential owner of an Australian Shepherd puppy should know the list of conditions frequently met in Oz dogs. These include hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy and epilepsy.

This canine is not cancer-free, no dog breeds are. Case-specific, some tumors are removed surgically, others are chemoed.

Australian Shepherd dogs may suffer from hypothyroidism, or a thyroid malfunction, leading to hyperpigmentation, obesity, and hair loss.

What health tests are recommended

Ask your breeder or order the following tests to stay on the safe side where contemplating buying an Australian Shepherd puppy:

Cone degeneration, an eye condition
Collie eye anomaly
Canine multifocal retinopathy type 1
Degenerative myelopathy (detection of SOD1A)
Hereditary cataract for Australian and American Shepherds (HSF4)
Hyperuricosuria
Malignant hyperthermia
MDR1 gene defect, a drug metabolism disorder
Neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis 6, a nervous system condition
Progressive rod-cone degeneration, a retinal atrophy kind
MDR1 + PRA test combination for Shepherds

Testing parents can identify diseases passed down generations. Stopping further breeding once an issue has been positively detected and selecting healthy pair for reproduction ensures quality in offspring. Responsible breeders work with DNA-clear stock to retain core breed traits in future litters, both appearance and working, while evading genetic traps.

Australian Shepherd puppy price

About to buy an Australian Shepherd puppy? Oz pups, often advertised as Am Shepherds, remain a top choice for US dog lovers. One can meet “Australian Shepherd puppy for sale near me” ads anywhere with estimates very mush affordable. Plentiful supply means price of Australian Shepherd puppies gradually plateauing across the nation. Still, locally-sourced dogs may cost you less for lack of delivery add-ons. First-hand in-person advise from a producer would be a huge benefit too.

Buy an Australian Shepherd puppy from a breeder

Not only that, a breeder based in your locality and thus easily available had you encountered any problem on rehoming the pup, would make every effort not to see any issues caused by potential neglect happen at all in the first place.

Otherwise, with Australian Shepherd puppies for sale abundant anywhere, what would make a breeder preferable over a one-off seller is the wealth of experience in the trade and proven techniques of producing healthy pups. A potential owner would expect to receive a full set of screening results to support the health status of the pet of his/her liking and drop concerns before going any further. Sellers offering excessive puppies from litter may not be able to provide proof of the puppy’s sturdy genetic constitution, as DNA tests cost a lot.

Try the benefits of a breeder-sourced Australian Shepherd puppy to start a new page in your life with a caring, loyal, affectionate new family member!