Shepherding In Austria: A Look At The Varied Traditions

There are many different types of shepherds, and in Austria, the German Shepherd is one of the most popular dog breeds. The Austrian Shepherd, Belgian Shepherd, and Swiss Mountain Shepherd are also mentioned in relation to Austria, but it is unclear if these are distinct breeds or simply variations of the German Shepherd. The Australian Shepherd, a breed of herding dog from the United States, is also mentioned in the context of Austria, but it is not clear if this breed is commonly found in the country. With around 840,000 dogs living in Austria, the German Shepherd is a popular choice for Austrians, with breeders located throughout the country.

German Shepherds

European German Shepherds are the same breed as American German Shepherds, but they have been bred to different standards. European German Shepherds were bred as working dogs and can exhibit protective behaviours, including herding and guarding. They are intelligent and should be attentive and eager to please. They can make good family pets if they are well-trained and socialised. However, they require intense exercise every day and a lot of attention and interactive play.

European German Shepherds tend to have longer hind legs and straighter backs compared to their American counterparts, which makes them less prone to joint problems. They also tend to live longer, as they are screened for health concerns more often and breeding practices are more regulated. They comply well with positive reward training and are active and intelligent, thriving on the mental stimulation that training provides.

There seems to be some confusion regarding the existence of an "Austrian Shepherd" breed. Some sources indicate that people have referred to their dogs as Austrian Shepherds, only to be corrected that they are actually Belgian Shepherds. There does not appear to be a recognised Austrian Shepherd breed.

Austrian Shepherds

Austrian Shepherd does not seem to be a recognized dog breed. However, German Shepherds are one of the most popular dog breeds in Austria. German Shepherds are herding dogs known for their intelligence, alertness, and strong work ethic. They are commonly trained as rescue or police dogs. The breed became strongly associated with Imperial and Nazi Germany during the first half of the twentieth century due to its association with purity and militarism.

German Shepherds have large, erect ears and long necks. They have a double coat that is dense and close-fitting, with a thick undercoat. The coat can be medium or long, with the long-haired variety being rarer due to the recessive gene for long hair. German Shepherds are known for their unique personalities and loving nature, forming strong bonds with their owners.

In addition to German Shepherds, other popular dog breeds in Austria include Bernese Mountain Dogs, Golden Retrievers, and Yorkshire Terriers. Bernese Mountain Dogs, originally from Switzerland, are good-natured and versatile working dogs that have become popular family dogs. Golden Retrievers are loyal, cheerful, and easy-going, making them ideal family companions. Yorkshire Terriers, despite their small size, are energetic and brave, possessing a strong hunting instinct.

Belgian Shepherds

While there is no breed of dog known as the Austrian Shepherd, the Belgian Shepherd is a breed of dog that originated in Belgium, and is popular in Austria. Belgian Shepherds are herding dogs that were used for centuries by Belgian shepherds. They are also commonly kept as companion dogs or used as assistance dogs, detection dogs, guard dogs, guide dogs, police dogs, or search and rescue dogs. They have a long history of being used by the Belgian police and military forces, serving in both World Wars.

Today, there are four recognised varieties of Belgian Shepherd: the Groenendael, Laekenois, Malinois, and Tervuren. The Groenendael variety, created in 1885, is believed to be the foundation stock of the Belgian Shepherd breed. During World War I, Groenendaels were used by the Belgian Army to locate wounded soldiers and carry messages, and their bravery was recognised by U.S. soldiers. The Malinois variety was said to be the first to breed true to type, becoming so well-known in Belgium that the other varieties were collectively called "other-than-Malinois".

Swiss Mountain Shepherds

The White Swiss Shepherd Dog, or Berger Blanc Suisse, is a breed of Swiss Shepherd dog that is commonly found in Austria. The breed is a medium-sized dog, weighing between 25 and 40 kg and standing at a height of 53 to 66 cm. The White Swiss Shepherd has a white coat, with a preference for dark skin, and almond-shaped eyes that can range from light to dark brown. The ears of the breed are erect, forward-pointing, and slightly rounded at the tips. The breed is known for its herding abilities, which are comparable to those of the German Shepherd.

The White Swiss Shepherd is descended from North American White Shepherds, which were imported to Switzerland from the early 1970s. The first of these dogs was an American dog named Lobo, born in 1966. Other dogs were imported from Canada and the United States, and the breed was officially recognized in Switzerland in June 1991. The White Swiss Shepherd is registered in the Livre des origines suisse of the Société Cynologique Suisse.

The White Swiss Shepherd is sometimes referred to as the Swiss White Mountain Dog, as the Alps mountain range extends across Switzerland and into the Tyrol region of Austria. This breed is likely to be the result of the cross-breeding of various European Shepherd dogs, including the German Shepherd and the Belgian Shepherd.

Another type of Swiss Mountain dog is the Greater Swiss Mountain Dog, a large and strong breed with a dense coat of black, red, and white markings. This breed is known for its herding and drafting abilities, as well as its versatility as a pasture and working dog.

Australian Shepherds

The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized, athletic breed, with males standing between 20 and 23 inches (51 and 58 cm) and females between 18 and 21 inches (46 and 53 cm). They typically weigh between 35 and 70 pounds (16 and 32 kg). They are known for their unique colourations and variable coat patterns, with no two dogs sharing the same coat. The breed standard allows for blue merle, red merle, solid black or solid red, with or without white markings and with or without tan points.

The Australian Shepherd is a very active breed, known to become destructive if it does not receive adequate exercise. They are incredibly smart and form strong bonds with their owners, making them eager to please. They are also very loyal, friendly, and energetic. They are closely associated with the cowboy life and are often used in rodeos.

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