There is no debating that an Australian Shepherd is a wonderful, adorable, loyal dogs, however they aren't for everyone. Just like for any other dog breed, there are certain environments they are more or less suited for, and breed-specific quirks that owners have to keep in mind. This article will give you an overview of five important aspects of owning an Australian Shepherd you need to have in mind before taking on the responsibility.
1. High Energy
There is no getting around this one, so even though you have probably heard it before about this breed, it needs to be restated. Australian Shepherds are extremely high energy dogs that need exercise every day. A walk around the block and then back to an apartment most likely won't satisfy your pup and will leave it feeling neglected and restless. Ideally, they should have a large yard and plenty of room to run, as well as being exercised outside the property on a trail or somewhere similar.
2. Shedding
Aussies were bred to herd animals like sheep and cows, which required them to stay outside in all weather for extended periods of time. As a result, they developed a double coat to protect them, one layer for weatherproofing and one for insulation. This thick, soft fur is one of the reasons they are so cute, but having an extra layer means that they shed more than most other breeds and need brushing at least once a month, and ideally once a week. If you choose to keep them indoors, especially if you have more than one, you should not expect your house to be furless at any time, even if you vacuum every day.
3. Intelligence
Australian Shepherds are an extremely smart breed. Their minds are constantly active and need stimulation. Puzzles, new environments, and fun experiences are essential to having a happy healthy Aussie. Without these they are severely vulnerable to depression, so taking time to interact and mentally stimulate your pet everyday is essential. Giving them little jobs around the house like picking up their own toys or turning off lights is great for them, so having some experience in dog training will benefit you a lot. If you don't have this experience, consider taking your puppy to obedience classes to achieve the basics.
4. Anxiety
Aussies were bred not only to herd and control livestock but also to keep predators away. This means that they are constantly on alert, which can lead to anxiety. Many dogs of this breed show signs of anxiety and stress around any outside influences, such as people they haven't met, new dogs, animals they have never seen before, etc., when they are in their territory. It is ingrained in them to protect their pack, which will be you and whoever else is in your household, so any of these outside influences can be seen as threats.
If you and your family often bring new people or animals into your household, you will have to acclimatize them to this at a very young age. It is their natural instinct to view outsiders as a possible threat, so don't be surprised if socializing your dog, especially if you got it later in its life, is a bit challenging. Being left alone can also be very stressful for an Australian Shepherd. They will constantly want to be around the pack and the herd, so having other dogs live with them to form a pack is important for their mental health.
5. Barking
As stated in the above facts, Aussies have been bred to take care of their herd and pack. Because of this, any unfamiliar sounds or sights will cause some barking. It isn't really something you can get away from. There are ways to train them to control the noise, but similarly to a bloodhound who is bred to howl when it sees prey, an Australian Shepherd is bred to bark when it sees a possible threat. They are smart dogs, so if you focus on training them, it is likely you can avoid most noise, but if you have noise-sensitive neighbors in close proximity they might not appreciate the barking, however infrequent.
There are a lot of different factors to consider when choosing any dog breed, and this list is not intended to discourage anyone from having an Australian Shepherd or to say in any way that they are an undesirable breed. They are wonderful, loyal, kind, and playful dogs that would make a great addition to almost any family with the proper resources, motivation, and tools to make the life of their dogs fulfilling.
This article was written by Viana for Top Gun Dog Training
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