What is an Australian Shepherd? I read a book some years ago that compared the Australian Shepherd’s temperament to that of the Golden Retriever. That is quite a contrast from the character of the early foundation sires’ and dams’ strong herding and guarding instincts. And one I found highly inappropriate.
Without the Aussie’s unique perception, herding large bands of sheep in the middle of nowhere in the American West would have been impossible. The breed was built on dogs with the strength of mind to lay by a fallen herder for three days, protecting him from predators, like our little Goody, a savvy and dedicated stock dog, did without water or food. Or stand up against a bear attacking the flock, like Wood’s Dandy, another foundation dog, did. Or travel for miles to get help when his master was pinned beneath a fallen horse, like Ritter’s Streak did.
Aussies were expected to valiantly defend their master’s property from intruders yet be trustworthy enough to watch over the family’s children. This required sound-minded dogs with discernment. They learned to distinguish friend from foe. In many cases, these qualities remain hallmarks of this incredible breed.
The first time I had the opportunity to visit the breathtaking state of Alaska, I traveled with my ASCA HOF Champion Las Rocosa Little Wolf. I was staying at a beautiful property just outside of Fairbanks. It had just rained when I took Little Wolf out for a walk in the woods. I heard something crashing through the brush, when all of a sudden, a magnificent bull moose, dripping wet with rain, stopped only a few feet in front of us. Little Wolf came to full attention. I quietly reached down and touched the top of his head with my fingers. I was so thankful that he understood and stayed on guard, but didn’t bark or advance towards this imposing creature. About as quick as he landed in front of us, the moose whirled around and leapt over a fallen log. It was an encounter I will never forget. I will forever be grateful for Little Wolf’s good judgement. It could have been disastrous had he not taken my subtle cue.
Heard’s Blue Spice, one of the Aussie’s most prominent foundation dams, was an early ambassador for the breed. She was owned by Dr. Weldon T. Heard. Dr. Heard was a veterinarian in Denver, Colorado. One night, after office hours, a man walked into Dr. Heard’s vet clinic. The man insisted his dog needed medical attention and wanted Dr. Heard to administer medication. After examining the dog, Dr. Heard found nothing wrong with her and explained she was fine and didn’t need medical care. The man, who had been drinking, became belligerent and insisted that Doc give her a shot. With inebriated reasoning, he became threatening. About that time, Spice, who had been waiting quietly in the back, sailed over the opened Dutch door into the examining room. The man was immediately convinced that Doc was right. When Dr. Heard called her off, she responded just as quickly and sat quietly by his feet. This is the type of steadiness the breed was founded on.
This type of adaptability has led Australian Shepherds to become popular pets. But, as the world changes, so do people’s expectations of the breed. Stability is an important aspect of breed character. Training and socialization are important, but weeding out unstable temperaments is vital for the breed’s survival. Ultimately, breeder education is the key component to the breed’s future. Breeders need to educate potential buyers that being a strong guardian doesn’t make the dog vicious any more than being an authoritative herding dog does. However, ownership requires an added responsibility. Not everyone, especially the average pet owner, is equipped to deal with an Australian Shepherd. As a result, some breeders started breeding for Aussies with the temperament of a Golden Retriever. Without the correct, sound temperament, an Aussie is not an Aussie at all.
