Page 56 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023

Then and now
History

In reality, the dogs were not officially registered adverse as well as extreme hot and cold
until the 1950s in the United States. You can environments.
find pedigrees which state, “Ashurst Ranch dog
bred to Frusetta Ranch female.” That was the Although some Australian Shepherds are
initial stage of this relatively young breed…hastily low-keyed and may make good apartment
scratched notes in a rancher’s files. The dogs that companions, the typical Australian Shepherd is a
worked were kept, bred, crossbred, prized, shared high-energy dog that does best when it is given
and sold. The precise history is fragmented, even plenty of exercise and daily tasks. Those tasks
the origins of our name merely conjecture. Our can include anything from actual farm chores to
dogs were not exhibited in conformation events training on a regular basis for competitive sports.
until the 1960s at rare breed events. Breed For those Aussies that are raised in pet homes,
historian Phil Wildhagen noted (circa 1970s) they will flourish if they can get regular exercise,
that, “the Australian Shepherd breed “is relatively whether it’s jogging with their family members
unknown here in the East.” or playing ball or Frisbee in their backyards. If
routine physical exercise is not feasible, they
The “Aussie” rapidly rose in popularity with must do something that will keep them mentally
the boom in Western riding after World War II. stimulated, such as learning tricks.
They became known to the general public via
rodeo performances, horse shows, movies, and
television appearances. Their inherent versatility Because the Aussie is
and trainability made them a useful asset on
American farms and ranches. It wasn’t until extremely intelligent and learns
the 1950s and 1960s, when Jay Sisler, a rodeo quickly, they can become
contestant, and rancher from Idaho, teamed destructive and take over at
up with Shorty, Stubby, and Queenie that the home if they don’t have an
Australian Shepherd gained national attention.
Jay and his Aussies delighted rodeo audiences established exercise routine
throughout the U.S. and Canada with an array of and proper leadership. Aussies
tricks that have yet to be equalled, even today. So are highly-devoted and loyal to
unique and delightful were these dogs that Walt their families, but because they
Disney Studios produced two movies featuring
them,” Stub, The World’s Greatest Cow Dog,” were originally bred to work
and” RUN Appaloosa, RUN.” and guard ranches and farms,
they can be resource protective
Because of his popularity, some of today's Aussies by nature.
still have Sisler lines in their pedigrees. Two other
foundation lines include Jaunita Ely's breeding, a The modern Australian Shepherd may be
major foundation for today's herding dogs and aloof around strangers, but they should not be
Nick Smedra, whose dog out of Fletcher Wood's aggressive or fearful. The Australian Shepherd
stock, went on to produce the famous Heard/ has a reputation for being smart and versatile.
Flintridge lines, which appear in most of today's They are an upright, loose-eyed breed, meaning
conformation pedigrees. that they do not use a crouch or stare to move
stock. Aussies work quickly, yet are thoughtful
TODAY and typically gentle with stock.

A versatile stock dog with a range of working
styles, Aussies continue to be the dog of choice Besides being an exceptional stock dog, Australian
on many ranches and farms, especially in the Shepherds excel in agility, obedience, rally, flyball,
Western U.S. Aussies are relentless workers flying disc, and dock diving competitions. Through
with great stamina and are able to handle the years, dog sports in general have become

56 | A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie • Issue 1/2023