| The Australian Shepherd is a great breed of dog. But | | | | there is a serious injury or illness? My Aussie was |
| before you decide to bring one home you should know | | | | diagnosed with epilepsy and has to be on medication |
| what you are getting yourself into. Here are a few | | | | everyday for the rest of his life. Don't forget about |
| things to consider and some advice before buying an | | | | training courses and, yes - damage to your house and |
| Australian Shepherd or Aussie Mini. | | | | furniture. Even the best behaved puppies chew things |
| Aussies like to be dominant and in control. That just | | | | they aren't supposed to from time to time and |
| makes sense because they were bred to control | | | | housebreaking doesn't happen overnight. Before you |
| sheep and cattle. If there are no sheep or cattle where | | | | bring a puppy home, you have to honestly ask yourself |
| you live, they will simply attempt to control you. | | | | if you can really afford to keep it. |
| Depending on your personality they may succeed and | | | | Haven't had a dog before? Think twice. The Australian |
| become the alpha dog of your family pack. Are you | | | | Shepherd is not a starter dog. There are dogs, and |
| prepared to fight for the leadership of your own | | | | then there are Aussies! If you are willing to go all out |
| household? No. Then prepare to start taking orders | | | | and commit to what owning an Aussie is all about, and |
| from your new boss. | | | | educate yourself about dogs and how they think and |
| Training is required for Australian Shepherds. Bounds | | | | why they do what they do you may be successful |
| need to be set by you or they will be set by your | | | | with an Aussie even if it is your first dog. But ask |
| Aussie. (See above.) They are always learning, so | | | | yourself if you really want your first dog to be the |
| training should be ongoing into adulthood. A well trained | | | | ultimate doggy challenge. |
| Aussie is a happy Aussie. They love to learn new | | | | Do you like your house to be "just so"? Dogs can do a |
| things and they aim to please. You have to be willing to | | | | number on your house. If you get an Aussie the days |
| commit the time and energy necessary. If you can't - | | | | of your house being featured in 'Clean Freak |
| don't get an Aussie. An untrained Australian Shepherd | | | | Magazine' are over. Australian Shepherds can shed |
| is not something you want. You might be able to get | | | | quite a bit but are not as bad as some breeds. But no |
| away with this with another breed, but with an | | | | matter how much you brush you are still going to find |
| Australian Shepherd you would just be asking for | | | | hair everywhere. Then there's the muddy feet, the |
| trouble. | | | | housebreaking "accidents" left on the carpet, and if |
| Australian Shepherds not only love but need exercise. | | | | your dog's stomach gets upset... well, you get the |
| If your Aussie will not be working for a living you must | | | | picture. |
| be willing and able to accommodate this need for | | | | Looking for an attack dog? Don't get an Aussie. They |
| physical activity. Without regular rigorous exercise you | | | | make great watchdogs due to their strong guarding |
| will likely notice a change in an Australian Shepherd's | | | | instincts. Don't worry, they will let you know what's |
| demeanor. Not only will they be bored but they will | | | | happening. You'll hear about every single person, dog, |
| become antsy. As they become increasingly | | | | squirrel, bird or plane that passes by your house, |
| frustrated and start to go stir-crazy they can get short | | | | believe me! But in addition to the legal concerns about |
| tempered. I would have to consider denying an | | | | having an attack dog, Aussies aren't really big enough |
| Australian Shepherd excercise to be cruel. They just | | | | to be dependable man-stoppers. Think about a |
| can't stand it for long. They need at least a fenced | | | | German Shepherd or Rottweiler for that job. |
| yard to run in. Aussies are not apartment dogs. | | | | Are your kids bugging you to get a puppy? Don't get |
| Miniature Australian Shepherds might be slightly better | | | | an Aussie, they are not toys. Although affectionate |
| suited to an apartment but they still need frequent | | | | and loving companions, the Aussie is not the dog to |
| exercise. | | | | get for the kids. Some adults have a difficult time |
| Aussies get very attached to you. If you just want a | | | | reigning in the strong personality of Australian |
| dog to decorate your back yard don't get an Aussie. | | | | Shepherds. They have a mind of their own and need |
| They want to be with you and are highly affectionate | | | | strong leadership. |
| and social. For example, my Aussie is a Mommy's Boy. | | | | If you are never around and are out of the house |
| My wife can't move an inch without him attached to | | | | most of the time, an Aussie is not for you. Australian |
| her leg. We've often thought we should have named | | | | Shepherds are extremely intelligent and left to their |
| him "Shadow". Aussies want to be where the action is, | | | | own devices they will think up things to do to fill the |
| with you every step of the way. By the way, here's a | | | | long lonely hours. Things you might not like when you |
| tip if you have an Australian Shepherd in your house. | | | | get home. But can you blame them? Aussies need to |
| Be careful on the stairs! Aussies will literally walk so | | | | feel that they are part of your family pack. Being |
| close to you that it is easy for them to brush your leg | | | | abandoned all day can be hard on any dog but is |
| as you are going down the stairs. This can be of | | | | especially true for Aussies. Too busy? Get a goldfish. |
| special concern if you are unsteady on your feet or if | | | | Why do you want an Australian Shepherd? Don't get |
| you have children who could be toppled. They are | | | | an Aussie because you heard they're smart, or you |
| called "velcro dogs" for good reason. | | | | like their looks, or because your brother-in-law's friend |
| Aussies are very protective of their turf. That's what | | | | knows a guy who said they're great. All true, but you |
| they do. They are wary of strangers. This tendency | | | | have to consider the total package. It's not good |
| needs to be balanced with proper socialization from | | | | enough to get an Aussie because you want a dog. |
| when they are puppies onward. Otherwise you will find | | | | You have to want an Aussie - and all that that entails! |
| guests to your home facing a very aggressive dog. | | | | I write this not to discourage you from getting an |
| Alternately your Aussie may become inordinately shy | | | | Australian Shepherd but to get you to evaluate if this is |
| and fearful of strangers. Either case can result in your | | | | the best choice of breed for you. It's better to find this |
| Aussie biting people and other animals. Not good for | | | | out now before another Aussie winds up in a rescue |
| your dog, not good for you and definitely not good for | | | | shelter and you and your family are disappointed. |
| your guests (or the neighbors kids). Before you buy an | | | | If you read this and you still honestly believe that an |
| Aussie be prepared to commit to ongoing socialization. | | | | Australian Shepherd is the dog for you, and that you |
| Have you considered the real costs? Beyond the initial | | | | could provide for the particular needs of an Aussie, |
| costs there are ongoing bills that can add up fast. | | | | congratulations and welcome to the Australian |
| There are the obvious ones, food expenses and | | | | Shepherd Lovers Club. Sure Aussies can be a |
| veterinarian costs of course. Regular vet visits for | | | | challenge, but they are well worth it. |
| check-ups and shots are enough, but what happens if | | | | |