AUSSIE

Temperament: Good-natured, Affectionate, Smart, Active, Protective.
Height: Male: 22 inches; Female: 20 inches.
Weight: Male: 50-65 lbs; Female: 40-55 lbs.
Life Expectancy: 12-14 years.
AKC Classification: Herding

ABOUT THE AUSSIE

The Australian Shepherd has a medium-length water-resistant coat to keep him comfortable in rain and snow. Australian Shepherds come in several colors: blue merle, red merle, red, tri-color (white, black, and tan), and black.

The Aussie, as they’re nicknamed, are happiest when they have a job to do. They can be wonderful family companions if their intelligence and energy are channeled into dog sports or activities.

Intelligent, hard working, and versatile, the Aussie is a no-nonsense dog who thrives in a home where his brains and energy are put to good use. You don’t have to keep a flock of sheep if you live with an Aussie although it doesn’t hurt but you do have to keep him busy. He’s a high-energy dog who doesn’t know the meaning of couch potato and wouldn’t approve of it if he did.

PERSONALITY

Aussies are active yet easy-going dogs that love to romp with children. They tend to get along well with other pets. The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners.

True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.

FEEDING

Recommended daily amount: 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals.

NOTE: How much your adult dog eats depends on his size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level.

HEALTH

Aussies are generally healthy, but like all breeds, they’re prone to certain health conditions. Not all Aussies will get any or all of these diseases, but it’s important to be aware of them if you’re considering this breed.

If you’re buying a puppy, find a good breeder who will show you health clearances for both your puppy’s parents.

CARE

If you’ve got a yard, make sure you’ve also got a secure fence that your Aussie can’t dig under or jump over.

Your Aussie needs a half hour to an hour of stimulating activity every day, such as a run, a Frisbee game, or obedience or agility exercises. When you’re not playing with your dog, puzzle toys such as Buster Cubes are a great way to keep that active mind occupied.

Puppies don’t need as much hard exercise as adults, and in fact, you shouldn’t let them run them on hard surfaces such as concrete or let them do a lot of jumping until they’re at least a year old. It could stress their still developing skeletal system and cause future joint problems.

Aussies respond well to training methods that use positive reinforcement rewards such as praise, play, and food and are usually happy to take commands from their trainer. They just want to know who’s in charge so they can do a good job for them.

GROOMING

Brush the Aussie’s coat weekly, perhaps more often during shedding season, to prevent matting.

If you keep him brushed, your Aussie should need a bath only when he’s dirty, which probably won’t be more than a few times a year. Use a shampoo made for dogs to avoid drying out his skin and coat.

Grooming sessions are a good time to check your dog’s overall condition. Before you start brushing, check your dog for sores, rashes, dry skin, or signs of infection such as inflammation or tenderness.

Source: dogtime, hillspet.