Several theories exist regarding the origin of the Australian Shepherd as it is known today. The true origin of the Aussie is not known, but it is believed that these dogs were bred to aid the Basque Shepherds with their flocks of sheep in the United States during the late 1800s and the early part of the 1900s. 

The Australian Shepherd is not an imported breed from Australia, but a true native of the United States, being one of the few breeds recognized by the AKC that was developed in the U.S.

It is believed that the name "Australian Shepherd" was given to these small, rugged herding dogs because they were used to herd and guard large flocks of sheep which had been imported from from Australia to the western United States.

Many of the Indian tribes coined the term "Ghost Dog" and believed that these dogs had special powers..."a spirit dog"...because of their tendency to have unusual eye color such as blue, green, amber or marbled.