Description:
Oh, Kirin is a beauty! An Australian Shepherd mix, she looks much like my beloved Tenakee. He too had those show-stopping blue eyes that you can never photograph. Trust me, when you go to the dog park with Kirin, everyone is going to ask you about her, and you are going to brag and brag and brag.

According to her foster, "Kirin is a playful and sweet girl that gets along with everyone and everything. She is a VERY happy go lucky dog! She adores her brother Kato, but does not need to live with him. We think she is an Australian Shepherd Mix and has the most beautiful ice blue eyes. She was first adopted from animal control. She was found nursing from an adoptive mother under an abandoned house. The other puppies and their mother were definitely not related to Kirin, so we are not sure how she got there. She is potty trained and knows basic commands. If I had to guess, she’s around 50 lbs…she is VERY VERY fluffy!"

According to www.dogbreedinfo.com, despite the misleading name, the Australian Shepherd is not Australian at all, but was developed entirely in the U.S. to work as a herding dog on ranches. It is possible that the name was derived from one of the dog's ancestors. The breed's principal forebears were most likely Spanish dogs that accompanied the Basque shepherds and herds of fine Merino sheep exported to both America and Australia in the early days of the colonies. At some point it probably crossed with Collie stock. It has only recently gained recognition as a distinct breed. Its many talents include, retrieving, herding, watchdogging, guarding, police work, narcotics detection, search & rescue, agility, competitive obedience and performing tricks. Australian Shepherds are easy going, perpetual puppies that love to play. Courageous, loyal and affectionate, they are excellent children's companions that are great with active children. A devoted friend and guardian, for they are naturally protective. Very lively, agile and attentive - they are eager to please, with a sixth sense about what the owner wants. Australian Shepherds are highly intelligent and easy to train. Though aggressive when at work with livestock, the Aussie is gentle with human friends. Australian Shepherds needs lots of exercise and a job to do, as the breed is very intelligent, active and easily bored. They can become nervous and destructive if left alone too much without exercise. They are naturally suspicious of strangers, so they should be well socialized as puppies. Working lines of Australian Shepherds may be too energetic to be suitable pets. Some like to nip people's heals in an attempt to herd them. They are quiet workers, unlike some breeds, which are bred to bark constantly at livestock. This breed is not usually dog aggressive.