Versatile American Stockdog.
Australian Shepherds continue to be used as the versatrile stockdog they were bred to be on ranches and farms throughout The United States and Europe. The ASCA Breed Standard describes a working stockdog. This is the original breed standard and it is the one I choose to adhere to in my breeding programme.
Aussies are high energy athletic dogs. They are loyal and protective. Please take time to read the breed standard and also the annotations to the breed standard ASCA Breed Standard Annotations
It is said that the Australian Shepherd "is not for everyone" and I go along with that. Aussies are beautiful dogs there is no denying this, however, they come as a package - along with the beauty comes, high intelligence, athletisism and "strong herding and guardian instinct" all of which contribute to making the aussie an excellent prospect for our "performance" dog sports and excellent companions but only in the right hands !
Please take time to visit the "Links" page and click on the links about health and information where you will be able to read more about our beautiful breed.
Remuda Bar Mity Hobbes.
Working sheep in North Yorkshire.
A word concerning so called "Miniature" Australian Shepherds.
So Called "mini's" have arrived in the U.K. The name suggests a small variety of Australian Shepherd *BUT* the Australian Shepherd does *NOT* come in any kind of "variety" !!!
**THESE DOGS ARE NOT SMALL AUSSIES !! THEY ARE A DIFFERENT BREED**
Controversy surrounds them. Both ASCA and USASA ,the American Breed Clubs, have statements on their home pages about these dogs. Please take the time to read them and do not buy into the thinking that these dogs are just small aussies.
All Australian Shepherd breed standards agree about size.
Males 20" - 23" and Females 18" - 21" those "preferred heights" give plenty of room for aussies to come in different heights and there have always been aussies who fall on either side of the bells curve...... but they are all Australian Shepherds plain and simple, not "mini" or even giant.
If you want an Australian Shepherd please look for a reputable Australian Shepherd breeder there are many of us out there.
May 2009 - USASA has been working with AKC to try to bring recognition for this breed - under a brand new name *North American Shepherd* this breed will soon gain UKC and AKC recognition !!!! please go to : http://www.northamericanshepherd.org to read more about this exciting progress.
