Australian shepherd is a medium-sized dog that was originally bred for herding livestock. The breed was developed in the United States. It got its name because many sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia in the late 1800’s used similar dogs to herd their flocks. Australian shepherds are often referred to as “Aussies.” The Aussie stands 18 to 23 inches (46 to 58 centimeters) tall at the shoulders and weighs about 45 to 65 pounds (20 to 29 kilograms). It has a straight to wavy coat that may be blue or red merle (dark blotches against a lighter background of the same color), black, or red, often with white or tan markings. Aussies are intelligent, have protective instincts, and make good pets.
