Australian Shepherds did not originate in Australia. The breed was shaped in the American West by ranchers who needed dogs that could handle long days, rough terrain, and large flocks. In the nineteenth century, ranchers imported sheep from Australia, and the dogs that came with those flocks may have influenced the name. The herding dogs bred on American soil proved themselves in the field and gradually became known as Australian Shepherds. These dogs wake up ready for action

In a proactive move, Madison, Wisconsin, has enacted a ban prohibiting the sale of cats and dogs in all retail pet stores. The ordinance bars pet stores from selling, offering for sale, or delivering dogs or cats within city limits. Civil penalties apply for violations. Motivated by concerns about shelter overpopulation and the welfare of animals from commercial breeders or puppy mills, city leaders acted before any stores began sales.