Is an Australian Shepherd right for you?
Buying a puppy of any breed is a 12-15 year commitment that can be very
rewarding or can develop into a negative experience. It is our purpose to help
you make an educated decision so you can experience all the enjoyment possible
with your Australian Shepherd if it is the right breed for you. So often people
fall in love with a cute puppy for all the wrong reasons and end up with a lot
of heartache. Knowing as much as possible about the breed you choose, so you
will be sure it is the kind of dog you want to live with, only makes sense. We
hope the following information will help you with your choice.
What Does an Aussie Look Like?
The Aussie comes in four acceptable colours: Black, Blue Merle (marbling of grey
and black sometimes referred to as 'Salt & Pepper'), Red (ranging from light
cinnamon to Liver, Red Merle (marbling have Red and silver or buff). A variety
of white and or tan markings may appear on the face, chest, front and rear legs.
The outer coat is of moderate length, straight to wavy and weather resistant.
The undercoat is soft and dense, and the amount varies with the time of year.
Tails are naturally bobbed or docked. Ears of moderate size and break forward or
to the side for a Rose Ear. Males weigh approximately 23 to 29 Kilos measuring
from 20 to 23 inches and females weigh approximately 19 to 25 kilos measuring 18
to 21 inches.
The eyes of the Australian Shepherd are perhaps one of his most commented on
features because of variety of colours. They may be any colour combination of
colours from pale blue, amber, hazel, to all shades of brown.
Aussie Character
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, medium sized dog of strong herding
and guardian instincts. He is also a delightful and loyal companion and great
family dog. He loves to be part of the daily bustle, and enjoys riding in the
vehicle just to be with his beloved master. As a farm dog, he diligently carries
out his responsibilities, be they bringing in the stock or finding a stray one
that got tangled in the brush. He is easy to train, easy to housetrain and eager
to please but can be quite verbal at times.
Aussies have been used as Guide Dogs for the Blind, SARDA Search and Rescue
dogs, dogs for the physically handicapped and many go to do valuable work as PAT
dogs in hospitals and homes. Truly, the Australian is a highly versatile dog.
The Aussie (as he is lovingly nicknamed) is a very active dog that needs a great
deal of exercise on a daily basis to prevent him from becoming bored or
frustrated and developing destructive habits. Because of their high energy
level, combined with high intelligence, Aussies need to be given a "job" to
perform.
One of the most frequent reasons Aussies require rehoming is because their
owners didn't realize how much energy the breed has, and weren't willing to
channel that energy through training. Aussies are also quite demanding of their
owners time and attention and want to be constantly with them, following from
room to room in the house and go along in the car on errands. They can be highly
territorial and protective of their masters' possessions, which can cause
serious difficulties unless controlled with proper training. Therefore it is
recommend that you enroll with your local dog training club as soon as you bring
your puppy home and some vets even hold 'puppy parties' to help to socialize
young puppies together.
The main question now is " Is the aussie the right dog for you and your family" ?? Talk to any responsible breeder and not someone that is just out to sell a puppy, for the Aussie may not be the right dog for you . Any good breeder should be honest enough to tell you if in their opinion if they think that an Aussie is not the best choice to fit into your family.
Suggested Reading - Books
All About Aussies - Jeanne Joy Hartnagle-Taylor
The Champion of Versatility - Liz Palika
The Australian Shepherd Manual - Sue Helms
The Structure and Movement of the Australian Shepherd - Victoria Mistretta