Height: 18 to 23 inches at shoulder
Weight: 40 to 65 pounds (males average 57 pounds, females average 47 pounds)
Coat: medium-length; wavy or straight
Life span: 12 to 15 years
Breed Group: Herding Dogs

Despite his name, the Australian Shepherd originated in the western U.S., not Australia, around the time of the Gold Rush in the 1840s. Originally bred to herd livestock, he remains a working dog at heart; the Aussie, as he's nicknamed, is happiest when he has a job to do. He can be a wonderful family companion if his intelligence and energy are channelled into dog sports or activities.