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Personality: The Australian shepherd makes for "a delightful and loyal companion and a great family dog," according to the United States Australian Shepherd Association (USASA). The American Kennel Club (AKC) concurs, citing the Aussie's tendency to "want to always be near their families." The AKC also describes the Australian shepherd as "energetic" and possessing "strong herding and guarding instincts."
Grooming: According to the AKC, Aussies have thick coats that require weekly brushing. Their coats are "of moderate length, with a texture that is straight to wavy and weather resistant."
Common Health Issues: Potential health issues for Australian shepherds include hip dysplasia, thyroid dysfunction, epilepsy, and allergies. According to the USASA, "Aussies can inherit a number of eye defects which impair vision in varying degrees or cause complete blindness."
Training Tips: According to Aussie Rescue and Placement Helpline Regional Coordinator Michelle Force, it's important to understand that "Aussies have both herding and guarding instincts, and may perceive visiting children, joggers or vehicles as things that need to be physically controlled." This, Force tells Paw Nation, "can lead to unsafe situations for the dog and others." Force recommends that, keeping the breed's working instincts in mind, trainers should employ "encouraging and consistent leadership," stressing that Aussies don't respond well to harsh treatment.
Best Animal/Owner Match: The great owner for an Australian shepherd is "someone who is physically active and interested in training and spending a lot of time with their dog," Force tells Paw Nation. Since Aussies are typically high-energy dogs, it's best if they're paired with owners who can match that energy, or at least direct it into a positive outlet. That's why Force recommends activities like "fly ball" and "trick training" for Aussies that have particularly active temperaments. According to the USASA, "One of the most frequent reasons Aussies are turned over to rescue groups is because their owners didn't realize how much energy the breed has, and weren't willing to channel that energy through training."
What Australian Shepherd Owners Say: Paw Nation Facebook friend Erin Watzek-Valenti says of her Australian shepherds, "I have two Aussie shepherds and love them. I wouldn't give up my two for anything!"
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Best dogs in the world. Shed twice a year...spring and fall. Come in a wide variety of colors. Wonderful desposition and very loyal to their owners. Just an absolute joy of a dog to own but, espechially when young, they need a lot of exercise. We've had three. Our last one, Lily Belle Paulson, goes to K-9 and that's a 10,000 sq feet of play area filled with dogs needing exercise too. Lily used to go more often but now she's three and doesn't require as much exercise. She also goes to an off leash dog park every day where she has 5 dogs she has grown up with. Don't get an Aussie if you can't give her lots of attention when she's young but if you want a dog who seems to read your mind and only wants to please an Aussie is for you. We are both 72 and we've had Aussies for years. Aussies are usually shy with strangers, warm up slowly, and then mind their own business. Fine with us.
I had one - worst dog ever - she shedded constantly and they are not only loyal but over protective - mine was a back bitter and very vicious for no reason - the happiest day of my life was giving her away.
I'm responding to the poster, Diane Stevens, who had a bad exxperience with an Aussie. I can't help but wonder where she got the dog? Did she see the parents?
Hers is the only negative reply. I have never met an Aussie I didn't love. Diane, was this your first dog? I feel very sad about your comment as Aussies are kknown far and wide for being exactly the opposite of your experience. I just want to stick up for the breed. Best dogs in the world.
Can't help but LOVE those aussies.
I have three & a half lol (our oldest is an aussie/golden mix), they all are absolutely wonderful dogs. Tons of personality & as Nancy put it they do need a good way to use up all that energy.
They are extremely smart as well, all my furry kids are either Certified Service Dogs, CGC and/or preform in canine sports. It's never a dull moment & they will keep you laughing.
Just remember to start training immediately & use up that energy and you will have the best companion a person could ever have.
Aussie Shep's are truly a breed beyond the norm. So smart and strong, so true to the core, when you make a friend in an Aussie, you've made a friend for life. I just lost my 14 year old Aussie, Maya. She was as smart as most humans I know. I still have her beautiful baby girl, Isabelle. Aussie/German Shep mix, she's going on 12 and is as active and playful as ever. They have to be one of the most underestimated and underappreciated breeds in the world...
Congradulations for showing an Aussie with an intact tail. As you can see from the photo, Aussies have beautiful, multi-colored, flowing tails. Yet virtually all breeders crop the tails of new-born puppies as a matter of course. If you should want an Aussie with a tail, you have to put in a request before the litter is even born.
Why are Aussies tailless? Because of an arbitrary “breed standard” created by breeders and kennel clubs. Yes, I’ve heard the excuse that Aussies are cropped to avoid injury from sheep. Think about that… Border Collies, Shelties and other breeds noted for herding don’t seem to have a problem with sheep stomping their tails; so why would Aussies? And here in the U.S., I seriously doubt if one in a thousand Aussies has even seen a sheep, much less approached close enough to be injured.
All of ours were born tailess.
Between the time of the first posting of this article and the time of my comments above, the photograph was changed to show a tailless Aussie (or at least the tail is no longer visible.) I guess someone complained that the original picture was not up to "breed standard." Or did it get stomped by a nasty old sheep?
Please bring back the original photo.
Been raising these dogs since 1965 here in MT. as working dogs on my cattle ranch.Of all the litters we have had 65% are born with a stubby tail. Besides that less cockelburrs you you have to pull .
Thanks for your input, Ed. I can easily identify with your cockleburr comment; I spend a significant part of my yearly Montana fall fishing trip picking them out of my Aussie's tail.
Around here, there are very few working dogs, unless you count ball chasing, frisbees and agility as work. I'd love to see yor dogs work cattle.
Interestingly, every un-bobbed Aussie I've seen locally (including mine) has had a gorgeeous flowing tail, much like a Border Collie's, only held higher. I wonder if there are regional differences or just different blood lines that produce different tails. Almost all of the local Aussies are long-haired; I haven't seen a short-hair with a tail.
I still wonder why they changed the picture though.
If you purchase an Aussie from a back yard breeder and not for tempermant but money you can end up with a fearful aggessive dog. Check out the breeder and the pedigree.,
We run a horseback riding camp and dresage school. We have three Aussies, a great help getting the horses in from pasture. I just send 1 student & dog to do the job that formerly took several students. When not rounding up horses they find a corner in the barn out of the way. At night they come home to family room couch.
Ours is the most lovable, and protective, animal we have ever had, she realy does not like othe dogs, altho she was brought up with two other mixed breed dogs, that have since passed on, she loves kids, as long as they are small, she help our granddaughter walk, Autumn would grap on to her and the baby would stand up and Roxie would take small steps, so the she would not fall. just wonder full animals..
Beautiful dogs! As far as being the best dogs in the world, I believe they are tied with any dog who happens to be by your side right now!
I have owned and shown aussies for over 30 years and currently have 2 and a half-the half being a mini aussie. They are intelligent and fun to train but their love and devotion to their owner is their best trait in my book. I work with aussie rescue in my area and most aussies are turned in because of their energy being to much for the new owner or the herding instinct is too much for the family with small children. Both which can be avoided with correct training and handling. These dog need a job to do and they should not be crated or stuck in samll apartment for hours on end waiting for someone to come home and let them out.
Tails were orginally docked for herding purposes not for a breed standard. I personally love the docked look -and things stay on the coffee table better without a tail to swish them off :). Great dogs with great minds and a love of their owner or family. I would not trade mine for a million dollars.
We had a German Shepherd/Australian Shepherd mix whom we adopted from an animal shelter at 4 1/2 months old. What a smart and loyal puppy we got. Our female German Shepherd, also very smart and loyal, instantly became "Boo Boo" Shadow's Mommy. What a tragic loss when we lost him to cancer last year. If you're looking for a sweet, proctective, loving and loyal pet, you can't beat an Austrlian Shepherd ( or a mix ).
SO glad to hear that you rescued your dog! There are so many awesome dogs at shelters, and even full breed dogs. Good for you!
I have an Aussie mix and the discription in the article fits her to a tee. She is by farthe most intellegent dog I have ever seen sometimes following commands the first time she hears them. She is the leader of the pack and barks and uses growles to express her desires. Also the biggest clown especially with those puffy eyes. Her mother is the most laidback Pittbull on Earth. The play fight daily, sometimes sounding like a real fight but never have I ever seen a scratch. They are always together. Once when they got out the dog catcher put Lulu in the truck and Maggie, the Pit, jumped on the the truck by herself.
great breed, aussies are
but rescue is the
best way to go,
by far!!!!
Hey there,
We were looking at a 1/2 Aussie this past weekend, and we're considering it.
How much excercise would you honestly say the dog requires? Would free roam of a large backyard along with walks be enough? We currently have a dachshund who gets out of breath walking across the bedroom.
Just wanted to get some honest opinions before committing to a dog, who once we have, we wouldn't want to give up. Not fair to the dog, and want to make the best decision possible.