All canids and felids worldwide
Planethoster

Aussie-Flat -- Australian Shepherd X Flat-Coated Retriever

Aussie-Flat

He is not recognized by the F.C.I.
Origin
 U.S.A. <> Great Britain -> U.S.A.
Translation
 Francis Vandersteen

A brief presentation of the Aussie-Flat
The Aussie-Flat, a combination of the Australian Shepherd and the flat-coated Retriever, is a new customizable hybrid that is not yet registrable with the American Canine Hybrid Club or the National Hybrid Registry. These large dogs are friendly, bright animals that are frequently used as guide dogs for the blind. They are good with children and small animals, and the breeding tendency of the Australian Shepherd is somewhat mitigated by the Retriever's general personality. Relatively easy to care for, the Aussie-Flat is also a responsive, energetic companion who will need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy.

History of the Aussie-Flat
The new hybrid known as the Aussie-Flat is either so new or so rare that it is not yet registrable with the American Canine Hybrid Club or the National Hybrid Registry. The Australian Shepherd and Flat-Coated Retriever mix is frequently bred and well-suited to the job of guide dog for the blind. The Australian Shepherd tends to be an efficient guide dog moving quickly with little hesitation, and the Flat-Coated Retriever is a more cautious and deliberate guide. In most cases, the Aussie-Flat is an F1 cross, meaning that the parents are both purebred rather than hybrid dogs bred with other such hybrids. At this stage, breeding only F1 crosses can help avoid many of the problems such as blindness and deafness associated with a dog that has a double copy of the Merle coloring gene. Dogs of this variety that are not used as guide dogs can make suitable hunting partners and will certainly make a companionable and somewhat protective family dog.
        

A little of the Australian Shepherd

         
The modern Australian Shepherd was actually developed in the farmlands of the USA in the late 19th century, rather than in Australia, as its name suggests. The breed was developed by cattle and sheep breeders, probably from Basque sheepdogs that traveled from Australia to America in the early 1800s. The herding dogs developed by the Basque people, most likely Pyrenean sheepdogs that had been crossed with a Collie-type breed, would have been crossed with other stock dogs in America to develop an agile and durable herding animal.
Standard of the Australian Shepherd

A little of the Flat-Coated Retriever
The Flat-Coated Retriever, like most pointing breeds, was developed as a hunting dog, used to flush out birds and retrieve them when shot. The original Retriever was a large Newfoundland mixed with Setters, Spaniels and Water Dogs. It wasn't until the mid-to-late 1800s that a distinction was made between a curly coat and a flat coat, then known as a smooth coat. The Flat-Coated Retriever was recognized by the Kennel Club of England in 1874 and by the American Kennel Club in 1909.
Standard of the Flat-Coated Retriever

Appearance of the Aussie-Flat
The Aussie-Flat cross is so new that no appearance standard has been established, and there can be many variations even within the same litter of puppies. These are fairly large dogs, generally between 51 and 61 centimeters in height and weighing between 18 and 34 kilos. The structure of the top of the head is usually relatively flat, although some Aussie-Flats can have a slightly rounded skull. The muzzle, eyes and ears of these hybrids can vary considerably. The muzzle itself can range from the powerful, broad muzzle of the Retriever to the more tapered muzzle of the Australian Shepherd, but the lips should be close to the body rather than pendulous. Both parent breeds have almond-shaped eyes, and this is usually what we see for the hybrid too, and they can come in brown, hazel and blue. Their ears tend to sit high on their heads, but they can fold forward like the Australian Shepherd, or they can hang to the side like the Wirehaired Retriever. Both dogs have somewhat waterproof, medium-length coats that are straight or slightly wavy. The Australian Shepherd, however, has a thick undercoat that is not present in the Flat-Coated Retriever, so the Aussie-Flat may have the double or single coat.

Temperament of the Aussie-Flat
Both parent breeds are highly intelligent and can be trained for many situations, however, they can tend towards stubbornness if their early training has been neglected. They tend to be patient and companionable with children and small animals, and most date strangers. This breed combination tends to be both vocal and talkative, and may try to guide their owners or other family members by the hand. If this behavior is unwanted, it should be treated promptly; if these behavioral traits become ingrained when the dog is young, it can become very difficult to train them.

Needs and activities of the Aussie-Flat
These dogs are generally friendly, alert and intelligent animals that are exceptionally sensitive to their owners. They are generally bred for the qualities that make a good guide dog, and if properly socialized, these dogs should be confident, attentive animals with a keen awareness of their surroundings. Australian Shepherd prey and herding can make an appearance, but are more likely to be moderated by the nature of the flat coat.

Maintenance of the Aussie-Flat
The grooming involved for this particular crossbreed is relatively straightforward, but regular grooming should never be neglected. Bathing is generally an exercise in need, and too frequent a bath can strip these dogs of the oils essential for coating their coats. Both parent breeds shed moderately for most of the year, and will require thorough brushing at least once a week. In spring and autumn, the amount of shedding increases considerably, and brushing sessions should take place several times a week to remove dead hairs and avoid tangles. Although Australians are unlikely to drool in large quantities, Retrievers can sometimes be big droolers. Fortunately, the flat-haired Retriever has no such tendency, and the Aussie-Flat remains a relatively drool-free companion.
Details
Also available: Français (France) Deutsch (Deutschland) Español (España) Nederlands (nl-NL)
Hits: 225

No comments

The latest updated breeds

Recognized cat breeds
  • Ojos azules

    Ojos azules

    Ojos azules Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ojos azules is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is characterized by its blue or odd-colored eyes, regardless of coat color. A brief historical overview The history of the Ojos Azules began in the early 1980s with the discovery in New Mexico of Cornflower, a tortoiseshell...
  • Ocicat

    Ocicat

    Ocicat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Ocicat is a breed of cat native to the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its mottled fawn coat, reminiscent of the Ocelot. A brief historical overview The Ocicat was created in 1964 in the United States by a breeder, Mrs. Virginia Daly. She wanted to breed Siamese tabby...
  • Norvégien

    Norvégien

    Norvégien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Norvégien, also known as the Norwegian Forest Cat or Norsk skogkatt, is a semi-long-haired cat breed from Norway. This large cat is characterized by its very thick semi-long-haired coat and its wild look. A brief historical overview Cats are thought to have arrived from southern Europe and were...
  • Nebelung

    Nebelung

    Nebelung Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Nebelung is a cat breed originally from Russia. This cat is the semi-long-haired variety of the Russian Blue, whose genetic characteristics it shares. A brief historical overview The instability of the early 20th century was very difficult for many breeds, some of which almost disappeared. Such is...
  • Munchkin

    Munchkin

    Munchkin Translation Francis Vandzersteen Origin This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. This cat is characterized by its very short legs, hence its nickname of “basset cat”. Standard For a cat to be recognized as a Munchkin, it must conform to the breed standard. If certain criteria are not met, the...
  • Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien

    Mau égyptien Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Egyptian Mau is a cat breed originally from Egypt. Developed from 1953 in Italy and then in the United States by a Russian princess. A brief historical overview Nathalie Troubetzkoï was a Russian princess exiled in the palace of the Egyptian ambassador to Italy during the Second World War. A...
  • Mau arabe

    Mau arabe

    Mau arabe Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mau arabe is a cat breed from the Arabian Peninsula. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its ancestral origins. A brief historical overview The Mau arabe is a natural breed, but was only recognized in 2009. These cats have occupied the Arabian Peninsula for thousands of years, living in...
  • Manx

    Manx

    Manx Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Manx is a breed of cat originating from the Isle of Man (British Isles). This cat is characterized by its lack of tail. A brief historical overview The Manx cat (kayt Manninagh or stubbin in Manx), also known as the Isle of Man cat, originated, as its name suggests, on the British Isle of Man.The...
  • Mandarin

    Mandarin

    Mandarin Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Mandarin, also known as the Oriental longhair and Javanese, is a breed of cat native to the United States. This cat is the semi-longhair variety of the Oriental. A brief historical overview The history of the Mandarin begins with that of the Oriental. In fact, the Mandarin is a semi-long-haired...
  • Maine coon

    Maine coon

    Maine coon Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Maine coon is a longhaired cat breed from the state of Maine in the United States. This rustic-looking cat is characterized by its large size, plumed tail, square muzzle, plumed ears and long coat. A brief historical overview The Maine Coon is probably one of North America's oldest natural...
  • LaPerm

    LaPerm

    LaPerm Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The LaPerm is a cat breed originally from the United States. This medium-sized cat is characterized by its curly coat. A brief historical overview The breed was created in 1982 in the U.S. state of Oregon by a woman named Linda Koehl. The curly hair is due to a natural mutation in the genes of one of...
  • Korat

    Korat

    Korat Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Korat is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This small cat is characterized by its blue coat and green eyes. A brief historical overview The Tamra Meow, or Book of Cat Poems, is a richly illustrated Thai collection of verses written between 1350 and 1767, describing seventeen different cats, some...
  • Khao Manee

    Khao Manee

    Khao Manee Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Khao Manee is a breed of cat native to Thailand. This cat is characterized by its white shorthair coat. Its eyes can be yellow, blue or mint. Standard Official recognition of the Khao Manee is underway, notably through TICA and GCCF. It has been possible to register adult and juvenile Khao...
  • Himalayen

    Himalayen

    Himalayen Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Himalayen, also known as the colorpoint or colorpoint (US), is a cat breed originating in the United States. In some European countries, this breed does not exist and is considered a coat of the Persian. A brief historical overview The Himalayen is a colorpoint Persian. These Persians are...
  • Highland Fold

    Highland Fold

    Highland Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Highland Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Highland Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...
  • Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold

    Scottish Fold Translation Francis Vandersteen Origin The Scottish Fold is a breed of cat originally from Scotland. The name Scottish Fold is given to the shorthair variety. A brief historical overview The first known specimen of a cat with folded ears is Susie, a cat living on a farm north of Dundee in Scotland. She was discovered in 1961 by...