If looking to buy Australian shepherds breeders will be able to assist you with your choice. These are highly energetic dogs which will not suit every family. They need plenty of exercise and are best if they are kept full occupied. As well as herding, shepherds are used as therapy and guide dogs. They excel at detection and search and rescue. Pets will love fly-ball, agility and obedience games.
Australian shepherd dogs, like most breeds, are subject to several genetic disorders. Testing for these is the only way to determine which animals are relatively free from disease and so can safely be bred from. To keep the breed as sound as possible, it is important that breeders endeavor to carry on only those blood-lines which can be proved free of most problems. Buying from a trustworthy breed will ensure you get a healthy dog.
This breed may be a solid red or black color or may be merled. Merled dogs have irregular dark streaks or patches on a lighter colored background. For instance, blue merles have black patches on a blue-grey background. The eyes may be brown or blue. One eye might be blue and the other brown or an eye might be half-blue and half-brown. The two colors are sometimes 'merled', appearing in a swirled pattern in the one eye.
Problems occur when two dogs are mated which both carry a gene for the merle coloring. A quarter of the pups from a mating of two merle colored dogs will be affected by deafness, blindness or both. Those most badly affected are usually euthanized. If the affliction is not too pronounced, the dog may be sold on to an unsuspecting person. Some of these find themselves in shelters when their care becomes too difficult for their owners.
Another distinctive feature is the bobbed tail which occurs naturally in many of the breed. Others have shorter than normal tails or full length tails. The progeny of bobtail dogs sometimes don't have an anus. If not naturally bob-tailed the animal is often docked.
Epilepsy, respiratory and skin conditions affect quite a few dogs. Eye problems include iris coloboma, red eye, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts and conjunctivitis. MDR1 mutation can be detected with a DNA test as can CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) and cataracts. The danger of MDR1 mutation is that victims are highly sensitive to anti-parasitic drugs.
It is possible to test dogs for a number of these conditions. Hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas and congenital heart conditions can be detected by specific tests. Many dogs live very healthy lives. By testing Australian shepherds breeders can be reassured that their pups can be sold as healthy.
Australian shepherd dogs, like most breeds, are subject to several genetic disorders. Testing for these is the only way to determine which animals are relatively free from disease and so can safely be bred from. To keep the breed as sound as possible, it is important that breeders endeavor to carry on only those blood-lines which can be proved free of most problems. Buying from a trustworthy breed will ensure you get a healthy dog.
This breed may be a solid red or black color or may be merled. Merled dogs have irregular dark streaks or patches on a lighter colored background. For instance, blue merles have black patches on a blue-grey background. The eyes may be brown or blue. One eye might be blue and the other brown or an eye might be half-blue and half-brown. The two colors are sometimes 'merled', appearing in a swirled pattern in the one eye.
Problems occur when two dogs are mated which both carry a gene for the merle coloring. A quarter of the pups from a mating of two merle colored dogs will be affected by deafness, blindness or both. Those most badly affected are usually euthanized. If the affliction is not too pronounced, the dog may be sold on to an unsuspecting person. Some of these find themselves in shelters when their care becomes too difficult for their owners.
Another distinctive feature is the bobbed tail which occurs naturally in many of the breed. Others have shorter than normal tails or full length tails. The progeny of bobtail dogs sometimes don't have an anus. If not naturally bob-tailed the animal is often docked.
Epilepsy, respiratory and skin conditions affect quite a few dogs. Eye problems include iris coloboma, red eye, progressive retinal atrophy (PRA), cataracts and conjunctivitis. MDR1 mutation can be detected with a DNA test as can CEA (Collie Eye Anomaly) and cataracts. The danger of MDR1 mutation is that victims are highly sensitive to anti-parasitic drugs.
It is possible to test dogs for a number of these conditions. Hip and elbow dysplasia, luxating patellas and congenital heart conditions can be detected by specific tests. Many dogs live very healthy lives. By testing Australian shepherds breeders can be reassured that their pups can be sold as healthy.
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Find more information about how to find the most reputable Australian Shepherds breeders today! You can learn about how to choose the Australian Shepherds that will fit your personality and needs now.. Free reprint available from: By Professionally Testing Australian Shepherds Breeders Can Offer Healthy Pups.
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