Australian Shepherd
Origin: Contrary to its name, the Australian Shepherd had its beginnings in Spain and Andorra, where it worked with the Basque shepherds. When the Basques followed the sheep-herding movement to Australia, the faithful dogs went along. Then, when Australian sheep were imported into the western U.S., once more the Basque herders and their dogs, now renamed as Australian Shepherds, made the trip. The breed has been popular with livestock people in North America for over a century.
Temperament: Eager to please, loyal and responsive, the Aussie may be reserved toward strangers. Though a deliberate guardian, he is never hostile. Alert and quick to learn, he is easily trained. High-spirited, he can be tough with recalcitrant livestock but immediately soften to the tone of his owner's voice.
Activity level: As might be imagined from his working background, this breed thrives on activity and needs regular outdoor exercise, as well as challenging tasks.
Height/Weight: A medium-sized dog, the preferred height at the withers for an adult male is 20-23 in (51-58 cm). Females will be somewhat smaller.
Coat: The coat is of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy and of moderate length. The breed carries a soft undercoat but the amount varies with the climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, the front of the forelegs and below the hocks on the hind legs. There's a moderate mane and frill.
Colour: This breed sports a rich variety of attractive colours. The Australian Shepherd may be blue merle, red merle, black, red - all with or without white markings and/or tan points.
Grooming: The ideal coat is one of low maintenance but it's not maintenance free. Depending on the surroundings (burrs, mud, snow and other irritating conditions), it should be able to keep neat with regular brushing and the occasional bath.
Border Collie
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Origin: The craft of tending flocks of sheep was introduced to the British by the Romans and it wasn't long before Celtic clans developed their own types of sheepdogs to tend to these tasks. One of these, the Border Collie, is recognized as the finest sheep-herding dog in the world. While appearance has been a major concern in many breeds, the working ability has always been the prime criterion in this breed.
Temperament: Intelligence and trainability are a hallmark of the Border Collie. Alert and eager, the breed can display a single-mindedness for the task at hand. Affectionate with friends, the Border Collie may be reserved toward strangers. Instances of extreme shyness or aggressiveness are virtually unknown.
Activity level: 'Highly active' only begins to describe the Border Collie. Swift, agile, tireless and with an incredible desire to work, the Border Collie is not for the couch-potato. This high-energy dog needs to work and if there are no sheep handy, it will thrive on such activities as flyball, agility, Frisbee-catching and advanced obedience.
Height/Weight: A medium-sized dog, the height at the withers varies from 18-22 in (46-56 cm). The breed has strong but not excessive bone and should always have muscle and substance without appearing heavy.
Coat: There are two varieties of coat in the Border Collie. The smooth coat is short over the entire body with some feathering on the forelegs and chest. The rough coat is medium to long and may be flat or slightly wavy. Both varieties carry a soft undercoat beneath the weather-resistant outer coat.
Colour: The Border Collie comes in many colours and colour combinations. The most common is black with white markings on the collar, blaze, stockings and tail tip. However, dogs may be a solid colour (with the exception of all white), bi-colour, tri-colour, merle or sable.
Grooming: Both coats are easy care and may be maintained with regular brushing.
Newfoundland
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Origin: There are differing opinions on how the Newfoundland breed came about. Some believe the breed's progenitor was the Tibetan Mastiff, which may have migrated to both Newfoundland and Scandinavia. There are those who theorize Leif Ericsson brought the Viking 'bear dogs' with him when he arrived in Newfoundland in AD 1001 and they mated with the dogs of the Maritime Indians. There, the giant black dogs evolved in comparative isolation. During the 19th century, the breed became a European status symbol and at one time, Newfies were the most popular import to Great Britain. The breed was used to re-establish the Alpine rescue dogs at the Hospice of St. Bernard after their numbers were decimated by a distemper epidemic. In Britain, the black-and-white variety became known as the "Landseer" after the famous artist who featured the breed in his painting, A Distinguished Member of the Humane Society.
Temperament: The Newfoundland's temperament is reflected in his soft expression. The breed is benevolent, intelligent and dignified but capable of fun. He is known for his gentleness and serenity. Generations of children have taken their first toddling steps holding on to this fantastic family dog.
Activity level: The Newfoundland is an excellent swimmer with a strong life-saving instinct. There are hundreds of documented water rescues performed by this breed. The Newf has also been used as a draught dog and fisherman's helper. This easygoing dog loves the outdoors and country living, especially if he has access to water.
Height/Weight: The average height for adults is 26-28 in (66-71 cm) and weight may be in the vicinity of 120-150 lb (54-67.5 kg).
Coat: The Newf's coat was designed to aid him in water work. It is flat, dense and water-resistant, being somewhat oily. The outer coat is moderately long and straight. It may have a slight wave but no curl. The hair on the head, muzzle and ears is short and fine. There is a soft, dense undercoat.
Colour: The traditional colour is black. White markings on the chest, toes and tip of tail are allowed. In the Landseer variety, the base colour is white with black markings. The preferred pattern is a black head, saddle, rump and upper tail.
Grooming: The thick coat needs regular raking and brushing, especially during seasonal shedding.
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