Before bringing home an Aussie…
We get it you see an adorable puppy and you think you absolutely need to have it. Although that puppy is crazy cute, it is SO important to understand and be aware of what that cute puppy will become when it is an adult. Australian Shepherds are amazing dogs, but they are not the right fit for everybody and that’s okay. We always want to make sure that our puppies are going to the best possible homes and that their new families fully understand the hopefully 10+ years commitment that they are getting.
So here are just a few important things to know about Aussies:
Aussies shed A LOT. The running joke with Aussies is that they shed twice a year for six months at a time. Though consistent brushing and high-quality food can help, Aussies should not be in homes with any family members that have allergies.
Not all Aussies are social butterflies. Typically, Aussies can be shy around new people and new dogs, some can be extremely social but it can take a lot of continuous work to make them comfortable with everyone they meet. Aussies can be protective of their “pack” so a lot of socialization when they are young is crucial with creating a confident dog that does well with meeting new people or animals.
Aussies can be dominant so making sure that you are the pack leader of the house creates a healthy bond and creates a good living environment for them. Trust me, you do not want an Aussie that is the head of the house.
Aussies can get very attached to their owner(s). A common nickname for the Aussie breed is a “Velcro dog,” and for good reason. These dogs want to be with their owner(s) as much as possible and are always underfoot. Aussies always want to be where the action is, and will often choose one member of the family that they want to be with most of the time. They will often walk so close to family members that they will brush your legs as you walk, which can cause falls or a trip, especially on stairs, so if you are unsteady on your feet or have kids who may fall over easy, keep this in mind before getting an Aussie.
Not all Aussies are great with other animals in the home. If you want an Aussie, and you have other animals, you must make sure that you introduce them to each other as early as possible. This early socialization can help to boost the confidence of your dog, and help other animals because more comfortable with him or her.
When you first introduce an Aussie to other animals, make sure that you introduce them in a neutral area. This will alleviate the chances of the animal you have acting defensively to the new dog. When you bring your new Aussie into the home, you also may want to have him or her in a crate, as this can help the dog acclimate to the household, and allow the other animals to check out the new family member. Only allow the first couple of meetings to last about 10 minutes, and then separate the animals. This helps to lessen anxiety and raise confidence. When you feel that the pets are ready to meet, make sure to watch them until you are fully convinced that the pets will be okay with each other, and then decrease the supervision over time.
Most Aussies do need a lot of exercise. Usually having a backyard where they can get out a lot of their energy is important with owning an Aussie. We do have a few families that live in apartments and with plenty of walks and mental stimulation, their Aussies do great.
Lastly, most Ausseis are talkative and can be loud. If you do not like a vocal dog, or live somewhere that barking may not be tolerated, an Aussie may not be right for you.
If you have any questions about whether or not an Aussie would be a good fit with your lifestyle, please feel free to reach out and I would love to chat with you!