The Australian Shepherd , livre ebook

The
Australian Shepherd
Champion of Versatility 2 nd Edition
Liz Palika
Copyright 1995, 2003 by Liz Palika. All rights reserved.
Howell Book House
Published by Wiley Publishing, Inc., New York, NY
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data: Palika, Liz, 1954- The Australian Shepherd : champion of versatility / Liz Palika.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 0-7645-4162-5
1. Australian shepherd dog. 2. Title. SF429.A79P35 1995 636.737--dc20 95-3753 CIP
Manufactured in the United States of America
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Second Edition
Book design by Catherine Swain, Adine Maron Design
Cover design by Jos Almaguer
Illustrations by Gail Trower
Book production by Wiley Publishing, Inc. Composition Services
Foreword
The Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility was originally published in 1995. It received rave reviews from readers and reviewers alike, and in the following year won a coveted Maxwell Award as Best Breed Book in the annual Dog Writers Association of America writing competition. It was also awarded an Honorable Mention in the San Diego Book Writers competition.
In 1995, Australian Shepherds had not yet been recognized by the American Kennel Club and were registered primarily through the Australian Shepherd Club of America or one of the various stockdog registries. Today, Aussies are rapidly climbing in the AKC annual breed statistics of litter and individual registrations.
This popularity is a double-edged sword. Those of us who love the breed are thrilled to see other people join us in our addiction! However, this breed is not for everyone, and that has resulted in increasing numbers of Aussies needing new homes. Aussies are very intelligent (smart enough to get into trouble when bored) and very athletic (requiring daily vigorous exercise). Aussies have a strong drive to work and, when not provided with a job, will find something else to do-and that might not be what the owner wishes the dog to do. Chapter 2 , Is an Aussie the Right Dog for You? is just as relevant today as it was eight years ago!
Although the cover of this book is different, this is the original award-winning text without any revisions. The only changes consist of this Foreword and updated Appendices. The Australian Shepherd: Champion of Versatility does contain some breed history, but is not a book filled with the breed begats ; other books do that quite well. Instead, this book is for those people who love the breed and for those considering adding an Aussie to their family.
My husband, Paul, and I have now owned Aussies for more than twenty years. We are not breeders; we simply love the breed. Our Aussies have herded sheep, caught Frisbees, played flyball, pulled wagons, worked their way through agility courses and competed in obedience. They have trained in Schutzhund and are certified therapy dogs. They have learned their A, B, Cs and have been trained detection dogs. If I can figure out how to teach them a new skill, my Aussies are willing to learn it. That s a versatile dog, and that s why I love the breed so much.
Please enjoy this re-issue of my book!
Liz Palika, with Dax and Riker
This book is dedicated to Beth Donnelly, and Ralph and Eileen Swingle, who, when I was searching tor the perfect breed, shared their Aussies with me and their enthusiasm for the breed.
This book is also dedicated to Marie Dailey. My words cannot express the joy your dogs have given me. Thank you for selling me two of the most wonderful dogs in the world.
Finally, I would like to offer my heartfelt appreciation to Catherine Swain for her generous assistance above and beyond the call of duty. Without her dedication and love for Aussies, this book would not have been completed.
Table of Contents
Chapter 1: The Australian Shepherd
Chapter 2: Is an Aussie the Right Dog for You?
Chapter 3: Bringing Home Your New Aussie
Chapter 4: Training Your Australian Shepherd
Chapter 5: Conformation Competition
Chapter 6: Obedience Competition
Chapter 7: Herding Heritage
Chapter 8: Versatility Is the Name of the Game
Chapter 9: Caring for Your Aussie
Chapter 10: The Health of Your Aussie
Chapter 11: To Breed or Not to Breed
Appendix A: Internet Resources
Appendix B: Active Dog First Aid
Appendix C: Conformation Competition
Appendix D: Aussies in Freestyle, Frisbee and Flyball
Appendix E: Herding Competitions and Titles
Appendix F: Agility Competitions and Titles
Appendix G: Obedience, Tracking and Therapy Dog Titles
Photo Credits
Bibliography
Index
CHAPTER 1
The Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd seems very much American, an amalgamation of traits from across the seas-intelligence, loyalty and unique beauty combined with physical agility for ease in doing the job they enjoy so much.
R ACHEL P AGE E LLIOT , A USTRALIAN S HEPHERD C LUB OF A MERICA Y EARBOOK , 1957-1977.

I don t care if my dogs are pretty, the rancher said as his work-callused hand rested on the head of a blue merle Australian Shepherd, I need a dog that has the instincts to work stock. He needs to be gentle with the lambs and rough with the steers. He needs to think for himself but still take direction.
Keith Talbert works a ranch that his great-grandfather originally homesteaded. He and his wife raise working Australian Shepherds, sheep, dairy cows and horses, as well as three young sons.
I need a dog that will be good with my boys, yet have the stamina to work with me all day and I m out here from sunup to sunset. He s got to be healthy-I can t be babying a dog, you know.
Keith s expression contradicted the toughness of his words but his next comment reflected the opinion of most Australian Shepherd breeders and fanciers, I want a sound mind in a sound body.

The Australian Shepherd today is an attractive dog as well as a sound, healthy dog. Known for its bobbed tail and beautiful merle coloring, the Aussie is medium-sized, eighteen to twenty-three inches tall at the shoulder, averaging between forty-five and sixty pounds, with the bitches smaller than the dogs. Coat colors include black, red (liver), blue merle (black, gray and silver) and red merle (brown, red, rust and sorrel) any of which can be offset by copper and white trim.
With its smoothly flowing trot and natural athletic ability, as well as its strong guardian and herding instincts, the Aussie has excelled as a working stockdog. Known for its ability to work a variety of livestock, from ducks, sheep and cattle, to geese, goats and pigs, the Aussie is also a versatile stockdog. Although not normally recommended because of the danger to the dog, Aussies have even worked horses and American bison.

Circa 1900, Wyoming.
The Aussie is more than just a stockdog; it is also very much a companion dog. An Aussie is happiest when doing something- anything-with its owner. No matter whether it is going for a walk, playing Frisbee, riding in the car, playing with the kids, running alongside a horse, or simply lying by its owner s feet as he or she reads, Australian Shepherds need to be with their people.
Australian Shepherds have strong guardian instincts which were originally developed to guard livestock from predators or thieves, but are easily transferred to people. Because of these strong instincts, Aussies feel a need to be close to and protect their family and can be quite formidable protectors. Many Aussies have put themselves in danger to protect their owners from raging bulls, goats in rut and protective mother cows, as well as bears and other predators. Aussies haven t hesitated to protect their owners from human predators, either. Muggers, purse snatchers and burglars have been sent on their way by protecti