Having an Australian Shepherd for a pet can be a source of pride and joy. This breed is meant for an active lifestyle so be prepared to live one yourself. To maximize the breed's potential, it is important to know how to train the Australian Shepherds. Commonly called Aussies, they originated from the U.S. trained as herding dog in farms. A strong built, medium sized country dog distinguished by its triangular shaped ears that is slightly rounded at the tip. These animals have a strong, deep chest and squarely stand on all fours. An identifying characteristic is its natural or docked bobtail. Masculinity or femininity is clearly defined in Australian Shepherd dogs. Height: Male 20-23 inches.) Bitches 18-21 inches (46-53cm) Weight: Dogs 50-65 pounds (25-29 kg) Bitches 40-55 pounds (18-25 kg.Personality Aussies are high spirited and sociable animals. They love to play around. The rougher the play is the more they enjoy it. Though they are generally playful, they have a tendency to be quiet and reserved around strangers. Dedicated, caring and always ready to please their masters. In fact, this animal is said to possess a sixth sense about what their master wants. They do their tasks that are expected of them with a lot of enthusiasm. Children would love this kind of breed due to their playful and energetic nature but at the same time they are wary around strangers. It is important to expose them to people and other dogs at an early age to train them to be sociable and able to discriminate between friend and foe. Because herding is inherent with this breed, it is important for them to undergo obedience training to have control over their exuberance around children. Australian Shepherd dog training should involve plenty of brisk activities to enhance their well being. It is recommended to get them into an obedience training school to properly channel and control their liveliness. Australian Shepherds energy should be channeled to productive activities and training to avoid destructive behavior they might display once their pent up energy is not released. Aussies are happier when they are busy and active instead of just lazing around. Rough housing, playing around, jumping and running are characteristics of a normal Aussie. Life span of Australian Shepherds is 12 years and up. Active Aussie’s appetite is generally bigger than other dogs of the same size so ensure that you feed him plenty of high quality food. Owning this kind of breed requires a lot of preparation and commitment to get the best out of them. Life with well-trained Australian Shepherd dogs can be both enjoyable and rewarding since they are loyal and hardworking.