Many people are familiar with the Australian Shepherd breed. In fact, it’s the 17th most popular dog in the U.S. The breed is known for its good nature, sweet disposition, intelligence, work ethic, and its unique coloring. What the breed may not be known for is its original place of origin. Turns out the Australian Shepherd is not Australian. The breed was developed in Western Europe and brought by the Basque people to the U.S. in the 19th century where it was developed into the Australian Shepherd by ranchers in the western part of the U.S. The only tie with Australia is the fact that the Basque people lived there for a very brief amount of time. The name, however, was given and stuck. Today the breed even goes by the nickname of Aussie. For more information about the breed, talk with your experienced veterinarians Ellicott City MD.