Care and Maintenance
The Aussie should have a  moderate coat that doesn't mat or tangle easily, but they still require regular brushing about once a week with special attention paid to the fine hair behind the ears and at the britches. They do shed once or twice a year, with intact females shedding much more profusely than males. Neutering or spaying your dog will greatly decrease the frequency and amount of hair shed, but it will still occur. If you are allergic to dog hair and dander then this is not the breed for you. As a general rule, the Australian Shepherd is a clean dog, with any mud or dirt debris falling out of the coat once it dries. They require a bath only when they begin to smell doggy.
This is an athletic breed and they need regular, physical exercise to maintain condition and good muscle tone. Throwing a ball, walking, jogging, biking, hiking, and swimming are all good forms of exercise for the Aussie.
Keeping an Aussie in a fenced area is always a good idea. The Australian Shepherd living in the country without a fence will soon discover the neighbor's livestock and respond to his genetic urge to chase and harass such stock. State law almost always gives the livestock owner the legal right to kill any dog chasing his stock and livestock owners are quick to protect their stock! An Aussie roaming loose in suburban areas is likely to exercise his inherited herding instinct on joggers, bicyclists, and automobiles and may be injured or injure someone else. 

Health
Australian Shepherds for the most part are a healthy breed. A healthy, normal Australian Shepherd will only require a yearly health exam and regular health care maintenance. The breed's life expectancy on average is about thirteen years. Pets should be spayed or neutered to decrease the risk of mammary and testicular cancers.
Some Aussies have exhibited sensitivity to certain pharmaceuticals such as Ivermectin (for Heart Worm control), Immodium A-D, Flagyl and certain anesthetics.
Inherited, genetic problems include Hip Dysplasia, Juvenile Cataracts, Epilepsy, and Auto Immune diseases. Reputable breeders screen all breeding stock for genetic problems where there are tests available and offer a contractual guarantee to replace a dog or refund money should your pup develop one of these serious problems.
Deafness and some eye problems are known to occur in association with the lack of pigment. White ears and bodies can occur as the result of a merle to merle cross,  solid to merle, or solid to solid crosses. The gene that creates the trademark merling pattern in the breed (also found in Shelties, Collies, Great Danes, Dachshunds, Corgi's...) also suppresses pigmentation and in a litter where both parents are of the merle pattern, either red or blue, a percentage of the litter may be homozygous merles or as they are more commonly known as, "Lethal Merles". They are often mostly white with areas of merle patches across the body. These pups are subject to a variety of health associated problems due to the lack of pigmentation. Normally colored pups from the same litter will be perfectly healthy and unaffected by this gene. Disreputable and uneducated breeders sell these white Aussies as "rare" and "unusual" and the unsuspecting buyer takes home a dog with a handicap.For more information regarding "White Aussies" please read the following article, What is Wrong With White Aussies, by CA Sharp.