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 Australian Shepherds have wonderful personalities and adapt well to families with children and other dogs. Despite being high-energy animals, these dogs are not aggressive and make ideal companions in an active household. Small children do need to be taught to respect any dogs’ space, and must be supervised around the puppies/dogs, especially when first introducing.

While they tend to herd or nip people, these traits are usually well managed with early training and lots of exercise each day. They do like to ‘herd’ their family members, and this can sometimes be taken as aggression. They will push their bodies into children, or perhaps lay their mouth on them to get them to move. However, this is not aggressive behavior of a puppy or dog, but it should be monitored. Families may find these dogs as excellent partners in playing fetch or running alongside a bicycle. 

 Aussies are one of the smartest breeds of dog. This, combined with their high energy personalities, make them ideal for learning tricks or tasks. Australian Shepherds do well with agility competitions or as active ranch herders.

With any high performing animal, owners must ensure a secured yard or leash is available, as the curious mind of an Aussie may lead to occasional escapes.

 Australian Shepherds have an innate protective streak and may be wary of strangers, making them excellent watchdogs. With appropriate and early socialization, these dogs can learn to adapt to household guests.

Aussies thrive on human companionship and thrive when they are providing a service to their owners. They will make it their role to alert their pet parents to possible dangers or incoming strangers whenever possible.

 All Aussies have a double-coat of fur which effectively protects the animal against all types of weather. A tougher outer coat acts as a water proof barrier, while the fluffier undercoat acts as insulation in either hot or cold temperatures. This makes the dog a hearty companion on farms or ranches, for outdoor sports, or for those living in regions with climate variations.

 There are three sizes of an Australian Shepherd. Toy, Mini, and Standard. Toys range from 10 to 18lbs, and up to 12” tall. Minis range from 20 to 35lbs, and approximately 13” to 18” tall. Standard range from 35 to 65lbs, and approximately 19” to 23” tall.

Occasionally, a pup that was born of minis, could end up being a ‘small mini’, and could potentially be a toy, in size. Or a pup born of minis, sometimes ends up weighing close to 50lbs., and could potentially be considered a standard. Adult size of pups, can never be guaranteed by a breeder.

While Aussies can easily become overweight, their willingness and need for daily exercise makes weight-management easy to achieve.

 Australian Shepherds, bred to be working and herding dogs, are very high-energy animals and require daily exercise. Owners may find that a dog left alone or without adequate daily physical activity will bore easily and could cause destruction indoors.

With a daily routine of outdoor stimulation, these dogs will be excellent household pets.

Australian Shepherds have a lot of hair, and this means a lot of grooming. Most owners will find they need to do a thorough brushing each week o remove excess fur or release matted clumps. Also, twice yearly these dogs shed more excessively, so owners will want to increase the frequency of brushing, with frequent baths where possible.

While some dogs enjoy the grooming process, others will struggle, squirm, and want to get away from you. But starting early as a puppy will likely help.

Aussies are genetically predisposed to some serious eye diseases. These can include colobomas, cataracts, detached retinas, and other issues. To avoid these disorders, the breeder can provide reports from the parents’ recent eye exams. Owners of puppies can also ask their veterinarian about routine ophthalmology exams.

Just because a dog is more susceptible to a disorder, doesn’t mean it will happen. Most Australian Shepherds live fully content lives with none of these eye issues, but its important for potential owners to understand the risks.

Hip dysplasia is a common genetic malformation in the hip socket of some dogs, including Australian Shepherds. Over time, improper wear and tear on the hip joint can lead to arthritis pain, and sometimes surgery.

Breeders should be able to provide medical confirmation of the parents’ hip health to potential buyers. Dogs who get adequate exercise and a healthy diet will also generally experience fewer issues.

The main reason so many of us have dogs is for love and companionship. While there are many factors to consider before choosing a pet, most owners would agree that the quirks, issues, and work involved with their dog were all worth it. Whether these issues are pros or cons in your mind, the real value is in the joy a dog brings to the family.