Ranked as the 135th breed in
the American Kennel Club, the Australian Shepherd,
also called the “Aussie”, originated from the United
States although it has roots going back to France
and Spain. After the World War II era, this bred
boomed in popularity, putting on shows at horse
shows and rodeos, showing off skill, agility, and
intelligence. In fact, the Australian Shepherd
became so popular, many dogs were scouted and then
used in box office movies, and television shows.
This breed of dog can make a great family pet if
trained young but we also see the Aussie as a
favorite for farmers and ranchers, especially those
herding sheep, cattle, horses, etc. Generally
great with children and other dogs, the Australian
Shepherd makes a great consideration.
Unfortunately, just as with all dog breeds, this dog
has a few health risks that you should be aware of
before buying. Keep in mind that this breed is
overall a healthy choice but genetic diseases do
occur.
· Inherited Epilepsy - Sometimes called Idiopathic
or primary epilepsy, this canine disease is seen in
both pure and mixed breeds. However, the Australian
Shepherd is one of those breeds that are prone to
inherited epilepsy, having higher incidences of
attacks due to interbreeding to come up with this
purebred. The problem is that unwanted genes are
joined with experts not realizing this was the cause
for quite some time.
As you can imagine, having an Australian Shepherd
with inherited epilepsy can be difficult for both
owner and dog. What makes this such a hard disease
to deal with is that the mode of inheritance is
still a mystery. If you have any concerns whatsoever
about your dog, talk to your veterinarian about
testing and treatment options.
· Hip Dysplasia - Commonly seen in larger breed
dogs, hip dysplasia is a problem where the hip
joint, or in the case of Elbow Dysplasia, becomes
loose. The result is inflammation and pain.
Sometimes, medication and natural supplements can
help but other times, surgery or euthanasia may be
the only solution.
· Cataracts – Of all eye diseases, many breeds
struggle with this common problem. While some
cataracts are hereditary, not all are. Typically,
having cataracts in both eyes is a slow progression.
If your Australian Shepherd has cataracts, you may
see symptoms as early as one year of age, or perhaps
as late as eight years.
· Autoimmune Diseases – Australia Shepherds can
develop a number of different autoimmune diseases.
Most commonly seen are lupus, demodetic mange, and
thyroiditis.
· Miscellaneous – Other possible problems with an
Aussie include Iris Coloboma, which is a defect of
the eye in which a portion of the iris is mission,
allergies, a common complaint, and cancer, which
could be hereditary or not. Other possible health
risks include retained testicles, Distichaisis,
which are eyelashes that grow toward the eye, Patent
Ductus Arteriosus, a potentially fatal heart defect,
Osteochondritis Desicans, cartilage tears or breaks,
and Patellar Luxation, which is a problem with the
kneecap, affecting one or both rear legs.
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