Welcome to Secret Garden Aussies, a breeder of AKC registerable Australian Shepherd puppies in the hills above beautiful Scappoose, Oregon.

About Aussies

According to the American Kennel Club breed history page for Australian Shepherds,testing has shown that Aussies are part of the same genetic group as British breeds collies, Shetland Sheepdogs and border collies, and this gives us clues to their origin. British settlers in the Americas brought those breeds with them to the new world and later, with their sheep, to the United States and its western territories. For more information, see this article on the AKC website, "Australian Shepherd History: Behind the Breed’s Herding Heritage".

Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs with a robust and athletic build. Males typically stand between 20 to 23 inches at the shoulder, while females are slightly smaller, ranging from 18 to 21 inches. Their weight varies between 40 to 65 pounds, depending on gender and overall build.

Aussie Good Looks

Aussies are slightly longer than they are tall, giving them a balanced and agile appearance. Aussies are known for their endurance and stamina, which are crucial traits for a working dog. One of the most distinctive features of the Australian Shepherd is its beautiful coat, which is medium-length and can be straight or slightly wavy. The coat is weather-resistant, providing protection against the elements, keeping them warm in cold weather and helping them stay cooler in hot weather, making the breed well-suited to various climates. This breed comes in a variety of striking colors, including:

• Blue Merle: A marbled pattern with blue and black patches
• Red Merle: A similar marbled pattern but with red and liver patches
• Black: Solid black, sometimes with white markings or tan points
• Red: Solid red, also sometimes with white markings or tan points

Many Aussies have a combination of these colors, often with white and tan markings on the face, chest, and legs. Their unique coat patterns contribute to their popularity and make each dog distinct.

Another captivating feature of Australian Shepherds is their eyes. Aussies can have blue, brown, amber, or even one eye of each color, a trait known as heterochromia. Their eyes are expressive and alert, often reflecting their high intelligence and readiness to work.

Australian Shepherds are renowned for their intelligence and are often ranked among the most intelligent dog breeds, however, their intelligence also means they require mental stimulation and challenges to prevent boredom, which can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, digging and trying to herd other animals and small children, and even their owners! They're also highly energetic dogs and need a lot of exercise and physical activity. They thrive in environments where they can run, play, and engage in tasks that challenge both their bodies and minds. Owners should be prepared to provide at least one to two hours of exercise daily, whether through walks, runs, or interactive play. Their intelligence makes them quick and eager learners and both these qualities make them ideal candidates for obedience training, agility, and a variety of dog sports.

Aussie Personalities

If you raise your Aussie right, you'll be rewarded with a loving, friendly, outgoing, extremely loyal, intelligent, energetic, athletic, eager to learn and please companion. They've been nicknamed "velcro dogs" for how close they stick to their owners and your Aussie's favorite place in the world will be by your side. Whatever you're doing, they want to do it with you. To raise your Aussie puppy well, socialize them, take obedience classes with them while they're young, and make sure they get lots of exercise. If you're interested in dog sports, Aussies excel at every activity. Herding (of course!), flyball and they love to run. Like any puppy, they may chew and have accidents but most are easy to train away from unwanted behaviors as long as they're getting the stimulation their bodies and minds need.