The Australian Shepherd is an easy-going and intelligent dog that makes an excellent family pet.
They tend to get on well with other pets and children and get pleasure from lots of playtime and exercise with the family. They are intelligent and enjoy being trained and challenged, and problems only tend to arise if they are left alone and confined for long periods of time. This can lead to them being unhappy and destructive. However, if they have plenty of exercise, this breed will enjoy relaxing at home and can make a very content (although rather large) lap dog. Despite their lush coat, weekly brushing is adequate to keep their coats in good condition.
History
Despite their name, the Australian Shepherd dog originated in the United States, not Australia. It is thought that the breed descends from a variety of herding breeds including collies, which travelled from Australia to California with flocks of Merino sheep and their shepherds. In addition to working as herding animals, they are also used as police dogs and competitors in obedience trials. In recent years, their good nature and attractive appearance has made the Australian Shepherd dog a popular choice as a family pet.
