Australian Shepherd Soft Toy - Anima Sitting Plush

The Australian Shepherd soft toy by Anima sits alertly with its gaze directed forward — typical of this hard-working herding breed. The multicoloured plush fur captures the Aussie's characteristic markings, with patches and shading that make every real dog unique. French manufacturer Anima has been committed to lifelike design since 1946 and has paid particular attention to the coat texture and bright eyes of this Australian Shepherd. This dog plush toy appeals to children and adults alike — whether as a playmate, a decorative piece on the sofa, or a comfort when the real dog cannot be there. The filling is partly made from recycled polyester. The soft toy is machine washable at 30 °C and meets the European EN71 safety standard.

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd does not originate from Australia but was bred as a herding dog in the United States during the 19th century. Its exact origins are debated — Basque shepherds who travelled to America via Australia are the most likely explanation for the name. Aussies stand 46 to 58 centimetres tall and weigh between 16 and 32 kilogrammes. They are considered exceptionally intelligent, eager to learn and energetic. Their medium-length coat comes in Blue Merle, Red Merle, black and red, often with white and copper markings.

Did you know that some Australian Shepherds have two differently coloured eyes? This trait is called heterochromia and occurs particularly often in dogs with a Merle coat. One eye may be blue while the other is brown — Native Americans considered such dogs sacred and called them "ghost eyes".