Shepard Dog Painting
When I went to photograph this Australian Shepherd for it’s portrait it was about the most friendliest dog I had met. I probably have painted over 60 dog portraits so I have been around a lot of different breeds. He was out in the backyard and came running up but not in that, “I am going to jump all over you” but in a very sweet and gentle way. He did the usual smelling around me but not in an intruding way. He didn’t do any of that poking with his nose. He just walked around me, smelling. I do think he smelled our cat’s odor as cats are always rubbing up against pant legs.
Another thing he did was what the herding dogs do, is herd me through the back yard. Any time I moved in any direction he seemed to be guiding me. And that was certainly noticeable when we walked towards the house. He would walk by our side then move to the front of us and look back to make sure we were following in the right direction. That Australian Shepherd was a great dog and a great pet for their children.