A cowboy and his best pal. This cowboy lives somewhere around Tombstone, Arizona, last I heard!

Did you know while there are many theories as to the origin of the Australian Shepherd, the breed as we know it today developed exclusively in the United States.

The Australian Shepherd was given its name because of their association with the Basque sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia in the 1800's. The Aussie rose rapidly in popularity with the boom of western riding after World War II, becoming known to the general public via rodeos, horse shows, movies and television.

Their inherent versatility and trainability made them useful on American farms and ranches. The American stockmen continued the development of the breed, maintaining the versatility, keen intelligence, strong herding instinct and eye-catching appearance.