Australian Shepherd in India — Price, Care & Climate Suitability

Origin — United States (despite the name)

Coat — Medium-length, weather-resistant double coat, straight to wavy, with feathering and a mane/frill.

Recognised colours — Blue merle, red merle, solid black, solid red — each with or without white and/or copper points.

Intelligent, energetic, loyal and work-driven. A devoted, biddable herder that needs a job to be content.

Trainability — Exceptional — extremely smart and eager; excels at obedience, agility and dog sports.

Grooming — Moderate. Brush twice weekly; more during seasonal shedding.

Good with — Great with active families and children; herding instinct may make it nip at heels without training.

Copes with Indian heat if well-exercised in cool hours; the double coat needs shade and water. Mental work is essential.

Health notes — Hip/elbow dysplasia, MDR1 drug sensitivity (DNA-test), epilepsy, eye conditions (CEA, cataracts), merle-related issues.