What is an Aussie?
Origin [There are several theories about the origin of the Australian Shepherd, but this one is the most common.] Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd as we know it today was developed completely within the United States . In the late 1800’s and early 1900’s the forerunners of today’s “Aussies” came to the western and north-western states as stockdogs for the Basque shepherds that accompanied the vast numbers of sheep then being imported from Australia. These hard-working, medium-sized, “little blue dogs” impressed the American ranchers and farmers, who began using them as well. Breeding was done for working ability rather than appearance, and occasionally dogs of other herding breeds were bred into the lines. However, today’s Aussie still resembles the dogs that came from Europe via Australia , and great numbers of Aussies are still working stock on ranches and farms in the United States and beyond. The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) was formed in 1957 to promote the
