The Aussie Gardener Arrived With Roses and a Very Busy Mind
A speckled red merle coat in copper, cream and gray surrounds this Australian Shepherd's alert face, and a flat green velvet cap sits at a slight tilt. In the lower left, a woven basket overflows with pink and deep red roses, held in a white paw. The gardener wears a green embroidered jacket with a faded patterned apron, and a wine-red curtain frames the background. Gardener Juniper has the eager look of a dog who has finished the roses and is now ready to organize every other living thing in the garden, preferably into a tidy herd.
Despite the name, Australian Shepherds were developed in the American West as ranch herding dogs. They are intelligent, athletic and very devoted, and they need lots of exercise and mental work. Without it, they can become bored and invent games like herding children or chasing cars. Training, agility, fetch and puzzle toys all help channel that energy. Their thick coat sheds and needs regular brushing, and the merle pattern sometimes comes with blue eyes. Responsible breeders know that two merle parents should not be bred together, so adopt or buy with care. A vet can help with exercise and health planning.
The roses are fresh, the cap is neat, and the gardener is ready to move on to the next job. This working dog is never really off duty.
