Australian Shepherd General Information

[Carole]

The Australian Shepherd Temperament

The Australian Shepherd, lovingly called an "Aussie," is a highly intelligent, incredibly energetic, people-loving dog who needs to have a job to do. They need lots and lots of exercise and will fit in well with an active person or family. They are bred to herd, and might try to herd anything, including you, your children, your neighbor's child on a bicycle, innocent strangers jogging past your house, ducks, squirrels, cats, and cars. You will need a fence to keep them off the road. They also have strong guarding instincts, and want to be near their family at all times. Originally bred as all-purpose farm dogs, Aussies were left to supervise the children while the parents worked in the fields.

Aussies have a very strong drive to work. As farm dogs they need to do something. The Aussie was not bred to be a companion, couch potato dog. When used as pets with no job to do they often are apt to find themselves plenty to do, none of which meet with our approval! An Aussie with nothing to herd needs a job to do or they WILL get into trouble. All Aussies need a job to do, keep the kids out of the street, obedience training, agility training etc. If you can't provide your Aussie with a sense of purpose, it isn't the dog for your family.

They are good with children, except for the occasional nipping at their heels to herd them into position. They will follow you from room to room and supervise you in the bathroom. They are very affectionate and will want to lick your face. They are assertive by nature, highly territorial and can be pushy. They are very protective of their family and home, and are cautious around strangers.

They need lots of mental stimulation and physical exercise, or problem behaviors will arise. They are the opposite of the couch potato dog. They need to have a sense of purpose, which is why so many of them excel in obedience and agility competitions. They are highly trainable, versatile, and are quick learners. They usually love to play ball and Frisbee, and many of them enjoy swimming. If you are in the market for a full-time center of attention family pet, full of exuberance and demanding of your attention, then an Aussie might be for you. They are good-natured, eager to please, and remarkably loyal. But they will need to be at the top of your priority list. This means that a bored, neglected, or unexercised Aussie may invent its own games, activities, and jobs, which to a busy owner might appear to be hyperactivity: for example, an Aussie may go from being at rest to running at top speed for several 'laps' around the house before returning to rest. Without something to amuse them, Aussies can become destructive. Aussies also do best with plenty of human companionship: they are often called "velcro" for their strong desire to always be near their owners and for their tendency to form intense, devoted bonds with select people.

Aussies have a very high opinion of themselves usually. Many have a more dominant somewhat pushy personality. This trait combined with the dogs natural intelligence, makes it easy for them to try and assume the role of leader of the family pack...a recipe for disaster! The owner of a Aussie must be a confident enough dog owner to prevent this from happening. If you have a soft personality, hate being assertive, are soft spoken and want a dog who will naturally give in to you without stress, then don't get a Aussie.


The Australian Shepherd Coat & Grooming

The Australian Shepherd is a very heavy shedder. He sheds an awful lot of hair! You'll find hair all over your home, stuck to everything! You'll probably even find it in the butter! The medium-length coat of the Australian Shepherd only requires an occasional brushing. But because he sheds excessively you may find yourself brushing him daily to remove loose hair. (What you get out with a brush doesn't fall out in your home!)


The Australian Shepherd & Training

The Australian Shepherd is very intelligent and easy to train. He learns new commands very fast. The downside to this is they will just as easily learn undesirable traits if not worked with and kept active. The great intelligence of these dogs, necessary to out-think and control livestock, can be detrimental when left untrained and unused. Aussies are quite capable of out-thinking their owners. Obedience training gives your Aussie something to do and helps teach them self control. Training shows you are in charge and teaches him to look for leadership from you. Training for a Aussie is not just one or two 8 week courses, they need formal training for years as they grow from puppyhood to a Adult at 2 years of age.

Aussies and Exercise

All working and herding dogs need exercise. A walk is NOT exercise to these dogs. A lengthy vigorous game of frisbee is exercise as is running along side a bike. Aussies need exercise every day without fail. A dog with too much energy and no outlet for it will get into trouble. Aussies need to be with their people, these are not backyard dogs.

Australian shepherds can become extremely destructive if their energy is not directed in a positive way. These dogs require a minimum of 2–3 hours a day of play, exercise, and attention. The dogs thrive in rural, ranch like conditions, and need space to run and play in an urban setting. The Australian shepherd is a high spirited dog, that requires much attention and work. Teaching them tricks keeps them focused and happy, which also keeps their mind working. The breed also has great stamina and can live in a variety of terrain. That's why they are a popular pick as trail dogs and working dogs.

Please think VERY carefully prior to adopting or buying one. Aussie rescues are overloaded right now with dogs whose previous owners didn't know enough about the breed. They fall in love with the dog's appearance or intelligence without seeing the whole picture. After a few months of living with the dog, they realized that perhaps Aussies aren't the breed for them. To prevent that heartache for both the dog and your family please think carefully about the reality of living with these dogs.



If I was considering an Australian Shepherd, I would be most concerned about...

Providing enough exercise and mental stimulation. Australian Shepherds MUST have regular opportunities to vent their energy and to use their busy minds to do interesting things. Otherwise they will become rambunctious and bored -- which they usually express by barking and destructive chewing. Bored Australian Shepherds can make a shambles of your house and yard.

If you simply want a laid-back pet who sleeps on the couch all day, or if you don't have the time or inclination to take your dog running or hiking or biking or swimming, or to play lots of fetch games with him, or to get him involved in herding, or agility (obstacle course), or advanced obedience, or tracking, or a similar canine activity, I do not recommend this breed.

Australian Shepherds were never intended to be simply household pets. Their working behaviors (chasing, nipping, poking, barking) are inappropriate in a normal household setting with no outlets for their high energy level. These dogs are fabulous with the right owner in the right household, but disasters with the wrong owner in the wrong household.

Providing enough socialization. Australian Shepherds need extensive exposure to people and to unusual sights and sounds. Otherwise their natural caution can become suspicion or shyness.

Mind of his own. The best Australian Shepherds are versatile working dogs, capable of learning a great deal. Some are very eager to please, while others are definitely not pushovers to raise and train. They can be manipulative, and some are stubborn and dominant (they want to be the boss) and will make you prove that you can make them do things. You must show them, through absolute persistence and consistency, that you mean what you say.

[Toni]

AWESOME article Carole! We just have to find a place to use this. Maybe we should cut the Welcome Letter way down and send this instead.