The entire history of the Australian Shepherd is yet to be determined. The early formation of today's Australian Shepherd is credited to a people known as the Basques. They began to emigrate to Australia and to the United States with their sheep and dogs in the early 19th century from the Basque Mountains of Spain. As Australian wool became more in demand, Basques sheep herders emigrated from Australia to the western United States. Americans imported boatloads of Australian sheep in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, accompanied by their Basque shepherds and their Australian Shepherds. It was at that time that the "little blue dogs" began to be noticed. The Basque dog adapted to the ruggedness of the western ranges. Over time, Basques' dogs were bred to other good working dogs of Australia and the United States, and they continued to reproduce true to their type. Because the dogs accompanied their Basque herdsmen from Australia, they came to be known as Australian Shepherds, even though they were bred in America.

Appearance
The Australian Shepherd's general appearance varies greatly depending on the particular line's emphasis. As with many working breeds that are also shown in the ring, there are differences of opinion among breeders over what makes an ideal Australian Shepherd.

Character
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, clever and devoted dog breed who is eager to please and easy to train. Affectionate and active, the Australian Shepherd makes an excellent children's companion. The Australian Shepherd, learns quickly, and loves to play. This means that a bored, neglected, unexercised Australian Shepherd will invent its own games, activities, and jobs, which to a busy owner might appear to be hyperactivity in the house (for example, an Australian Shepherd may go from being at rest to running at top speed for several 'laps' around the house before returning to rest, all apparenty for no purpose) around fragile furnishings or involve the destruction of yard and property. Without something to amuse them, Australian Shepherds often turn destructive. Australian Shepherds also do best with plenty of human companionship: they are often called "velcro" for their strong desire to always be near their owners and for their tendency to form intense, devoted bonds with select people.
 

Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is unique with regard to its temperament. There are two distinct types of personality to look for depending on the lines, as well as many shades within these two types.

Generally the Australian Shepherd is an energetic dog that requires exercise and enjoys working, whether it is learning and practicing tricks, competing in dog agility, or any other physically and mentally involving activity. Many need to run, full out, regularly. It is usually a sweet and affectionate dog who is faithful to its owners, although its overwhelming instinct to work may subvert its ability to function as a family dog.

Australian Shepherds with strong working instinct may show more reserved, guarding behaviors along with a tendency to chase or nip at running children or strangers if not properly trained. Its protective instinct and behaviors can be frightening to children, strangers, and small animals. Those bred for a more family-oriented temperament are more friendly and affectionate with strangers and generally more reliable around children. Because the Australian Shepherd was developed to serve on the ranch, a job which includes being protective of its property, it sometimes can be annoying with its inclination to bark warnings about neighborhood activity, but it is not generally an obsessively barking dog.

Exercise/Training
The Australian Shepherd needs a good workout every day, preferably combining both physical and mental challenges. It can be a good companion for jogging, hiking ore running along side a bike. Playing and obedience are very good types of mental exercise. 20 minutes obedience and playing with your Australian Shepherd will be more useful for the dogs exercise then an hour walk on the leash can provide.

Color
The eight colors of the Australian Shepherd are blue merle (black and gray with white patchwork), red merle (liver red and beige with white patchwork), black (which may or may not have white legs, a white chest, or a white collar), and red (which may or may not have white legs, a white chest, or a white collar); each of these colors may also have copper points on the eyebrows, cheeks, and/or legs to create four additional combinations. Thus, Australian Shepherds with copper and white along with the primary color are called tri-color, Australian Shepherds with white or copper along with the primary color are called bi-color, and Australian Shepherds with no white or copper are referred to as self- colored. White should not appear on the body of the Australian Shepherd from topmost point of the shoulder blade to the tail except in the merles.

Grooming
The coat of the Australian Shepherd needs brushing or combing one to two times weekly. A good nutrition and regular brushing keeps the proper coat of the Australian Shepherd shine and the skin healthy. Bathing doesn’t harm the coat of the Australian Shepherd as long as you use a good quality shampoo that doesn't dry the skin and coat and is formulated for a canine coat. The ears of the Australian Shepherd should be kept clean and regularly inspected as well.

Any breed described as "good with children", the dog must be accustomed to children. Any dog that is not well socialized with children will not behave predictably around them. As with all dogs, they should never be left alone with young children.