The Australian Shepherd, or Aussie as its often called, unlike its name suggests is not native to Australia.  Instead it was developed in the United States, in California.  The Australian Shepherd is a working breed, used for herding cattle and sheep, and excels in dog sports, including agility and flyball.
   
    Colorings of the Australian Shepherd can be varied, the most common are blue merle, red merle, black tri or bicolor, and red tri or bicolor.  Other colors include solid red and solid black, and all may or may not have white or tan markings.  Eye color can also vary on with the breed, as they can be green, hazel, amber, brown, or blue.  It is not uncommon for them to have two different colored eyes, bicolor, or even split eyes, where the eye is half one color and the other half another.  Size in Australian Shepherds is quite varied, they stand between 18-23 inches at the withers and weigh in anywhere from 35 to 70 pounds.
   
    The history of the Australian Shepherd is debated and vague.  Early European settlers brought many dogs with them as they migrated to the United States in the 19th century, and this included their herding dogs.  Breeds that are now extinct, as well as some that still thrive are among the list of breeds that may be the ancestors of the Australian Shepherd, including the English Shepherd, Dorset Blue Shag, Cumberland Sheepdog, Scottish Collie, Glenwherry Collie, Welsh Sheepdog, and Bouvier des Flandres.  No doubt there were even more breeds included in this mixture, including dogs from Germany and Spain.  These dogs did well in the eastern United States, were climate and landscape was similar to Europe, this was not the case in the western states.  These climates can reach extreme hot and cold, and the altitude can vary greatly, from sea level to mountain ranges.  The California Gold Rush brought a massive migration to these areas, including emigrants and flocks from Australia.  Dogs that came with these flocks were better suited to the California climates, and in time the breeding of this menagerie of breeds brought about the Australian Shepherd we know today.
   
    Australian Shepherds not only are a valued working breed, but make excellent companions as well.  They bond well with their owners and do best with lots of time devoted to them.  This is a playful breed, and when left alone for long periods of time will invent their own games and activities, which sometimes causes people to view them as being hyper.  If they cannot find something to amuse them they can turn destructive.  The Australian Shepherd is a highly intelligent dog and with proper training and time they can adapt to life in almost any household.