Great secrets, however, are rarely kept for long. Soon the virtues of the Aussie became known to people in other parts of the country. Once the secret of this wonderful dog became common knowledge among dog lovers in the midwestern and eastern United States, Australian Shepherds began appearing across the country. Suburban families welcomed these highly intelligent and trainable dogs into their homes.
By the mid-1950s it was apparent that a national breed club was needed to ensure the true genetic background of the Australian Shepherd breed. Thus, in 1957, the Australian Shepherd Club of America was founded in Tucson, Arizona. This club is still the parent club of the Australian Shepherd. The official registry for the breed was the International English Shepherd Registry, also known as the National Stock Dog Registry. The United States Australian Shepherd Association also monitors the breed. With rules for perpetuating the breed clearly spelled out by a governing breed club, breeders would have a set of written guidelines to follow. Size, type and color as well as physical structure were defined. The issues of character, temperament and working ability were also addressed. In other words, little was left to chance for continuing the unique qualities of the breed.
BRAIN AND BRAWN
Since dogs have been inbred for centuries, their physical and mental characteristics are constantly being changed to suit man’s desires for hunting, retrieving, scenting, guarding and warming their masters’ laps. During the past 150 years, dogs have been judged according to physical characteristics as well as functional abilities. Few breeds can boast a genuine balance between physique, working ability and temperament.
A NEW KIND OF AUSSIE
It was in the 1950s that an interesting phenomenon occurred. Similar to what had happened to some of the world’s hunting breeds a century before, Australian Shepherds needed to develop a type of personality to fit their new role as companion dogs, better suited to a suburban lifestyle.
In the case of the hunting dogs, their tireless energy was just too much for the suburban dweller. Thus, dogs with calmer temperaments were bred to each other to produce dogs that could cope with life in a less active suburban home. The two types of hunting dogs then became known as field dogs (for actual hunting) and bench dogs (for companions and exhibiting in the breed ring at dog shows).
The Aussie developed a new type of personality as it evolved from a herding breed into a wonderful companion animal. Aussies were selectively bred together to produce dogs better suited to suburban, rather than farm, life.
That same great stamina that helped carry Aussies effortlessly across the land in their job of herding, plus their single-minded devotion to one master, were traits not needed in the modern lifestyle. They would have to develop a new type of personality better suited to families in the suburbs. Their work drive would have to soften so that they could live and be happy in a less active setting.
In suburbia, owners usually go to work and leave their dogs home alone during the day, so Aussies would have to make an adjustment. Furthermore, in his new role as companion, the Aussie would need to broaden his devotion to include entire families. He would also need to be friendly toward family friends and guests as well as children.
Conformation Aussies are generally larger, flashier and more heavily coated than their working counterparts. They are quite a striking presence in the show ring.
To better understand this new role for Aussies, I consulted a well-known breeder by the name of Caterina O’Sullivan of Howell, New Jersey.
“We still have working Aussies out West,” Ms. O’Sullivan assured me, “but we have also developed what we call a conformation dog. This Aussie can be shown in the breed ring as well as serve a vital role of companion to individuals who are not ranchers yet who admire Australian Shepherd qualities.”
“What exactly is the difference between the two types of Aussies?” I asked.
“Working Aussies are called stock dogs. They are lighter-boned, quick and dedicated to their master and working the herds. Conformation Aussies are bigger-boned, heavier-coated flashier dogs. They have lots of eye appeal and make beautiful presentations in the show ring with their lush coats and lovely colors.”
The irresistible Aussie charm, good looks, even temperament, hardiness and love of humans have made it so popular that the breed became one of the top 50 in the American Kennel Club’s registry. One look at this adorable Aussie pup and it’s not hard to see how the breed won so many admirers!
“What about temperament?”
“That, too, has changed to accommodate their new role. The conformation dogs are friendly, devoted to their families and, when raised with children, are dedicated protectors of the little ones in their charge. Though Aussies can be aloof toward strangers, they readily accept those to whom their owners show friendship.”
True to his reputation of devotion, intelligence and adaptability, the Australian Shepherd, it seems, does not disappoint in his newest role as companion dog. Out on the range, the Aussie is a strong, agile herder that can work any kind of livestock. In suburbia, the Aussie offers companionship of the highest order with his loyalty, his intelligence and his athletic ability.
Whether stock dog or companion, the beauty of the Australian Shepherd makes him one of the top 50 registered breeds with the American Kennel Club. He is also registered with the United Kennel Club. In America, Australian Shepherds are shown in the Herding Group and in England they are classified as an Interim Breed in the Pastoral Group. Other countries currently experiencing an increased interest in the breed are Canada, Germany, France, Spain, Japan and Belgium.
It was an English physician, Dr. Johannes Caius, who in 1570 wrote a treatise on the marvels of working shepherds. In it, he spoke of the dog’s wagging its tail in response to its master’s voice and waving fist. He told how the shepherd dog moved and guarded the flocks and recovered the wandering weathered (neutered) rams back to the fold.
Once properly socialized, the Aussie quickly adapts to life in the home with children, cats and most other pet and farm animals.
Finally, the doctor reported how the shepherd benefited from the dog’s efforts while he himself expended minimal physical effort. Little did the doctor realize it, but he could have written those very same words about Australian Shepherds in the 21st century!
Today we realize that as far as herding dogs are concerned, nothing has changed over the centuries. The dogs have always been and will continue to be better than any machine invented for guarding and moving groups of animals.
The very first time we set eyes on an Australian Shepherd, we are struck by the symmetry and balance of the dog. Neither a little dog nor a large one, the Aussie stands somewhere between 18 and 23 inches at the withers (highest point of shoulder). He is slightly longer than he is tall and possesses good bone structure. His coat, which is unique in color to each individual dog, is of moderate length and coarseness. The coat beneath his throat and around his neck is called the ruff. The long hair beneath his front legs and under his chest is called feathering (more often seen in males than females).