Where Did the Australian Shepherd come from?
Australian Shepherds were thought to originate from an area between Spain and France called the Basque region. From here, sheep herders and their dogs had traveled by boat from the Basque region, charting through Australia with their herds of sheep and then traveled on to settle in the western part of America.
The Australian Shepherd came about from sheep herders who needed a dog that could thrive in the western parts of America. They wanted a breed that could handle the hot, dry climate, that had incredibly long endurance, and who would be a loyal and obedient companion.
The new breed of stock dog was born on U.S. soil, and came from a parentage of European collies, but was given their Aussie name from the Australian Sheep they herded.
Australian Shepherd History Resources