A Bit Of History

 

         No, they are not from Australia!  The Australian Shepherd originated right here in the Western United States.  It is thought that in the late 1800's and early 1900's American sheepmen began to import sheep from Australia.  Accompanying these sheep were sheepherders from Basque and their dogs.  The dogs, the  Basque sheepherders brought with them, became identified as the "Australian" Shepherd.