Australian Shepherd Pros and cons of having this fascinating pet
Reasons for and against having an Australian Shepherd as a pet
The Australian Shepherd is the quintessential herding dog. It rose to prominence as a sheepherder, and although it probably originated in the Pyrenees mountain range, it was exported to Australia and other sheep-raising areas. It is known by a few other names, but the best known is the Australian Shepherd or Aussie.
It is a very recognizable dog due to its unique eye color along with its beautiful blackbird coat color. It is normally born with a short tail and if it is longer than 4 inches it is usually docked. He is stocky, muscularly built, and has extraordinary balance, which partly explains why he is so good at herding along with his intelligence. If you have a very active lifestyle and want an easy-to-train companion, you may want to consider an Aussie for your next pet.
Advantages:
An Australian Shepherd is a loving dog breed that loves to play and never seems to lose its puppy qualities. For this reason, he is a great dog if you have children in your house. He gets along great with other dogs and pets, as well as all humans.
Although he likes to play, he is easy to train and seems to know what you want him to do. Like most dogs, you have to show that you are the leader of the pack. Once he does this, the Aussie is easy to get along with and will be only too happy to follow his lead.
The Australian Shepherd loves to please everyone and is very protective of his family. Given the chance, his pet will do well when trained to be a watchdog. They have great perception as well as being intuitive. Your pet will know what is expected of it and is therefore easier to train.
An Australian pet is not aggressive, unless it is herding animals. He is protective and a loyal friend, which makes him a good family dog. This dog likes nothing more than herding cattle, so if you have animals that need rounding up, this is the dog for you. Herding appears to be instinctive, as they have been known to try to herd chickens, geese, and even children.
Cons:
You must keep your Australian Shepherd pet properly trained and exercised regularly to keep it happy and content. Before you can start training them, make sure they know that you are the leader of the pack. He can get nervous and easily bored when he is not recognized. It requires human interaction on a daily basis to prevent it from becoming bored and possibly destructive.
The Aussie is a great dog, but has too much energy for a house dog. He must be very active every day. If you don’t have a large backyard or can’t get your pet out for plenty of exercise every day, you should consider a different breed of dog.
Although Australian Shepherds are hardy dogs, there is a problem that can appear in them. The gene that produces their pretty blackbird coloration is also a factor that can cause blindness and deafness. Puppies should be checked for deafness and cataracts. Australians with Bobtails can sometimes develop severe spinal defects. Hip dysplasia is another possible problem in some of these dogs. These conditions are not found in all of them and should not be considered serious enough to discourage you from considering one as a pet or helper.
Like most dogs, Australians need proper training to be the best pet. Fortunately, this pet has above average intelligence, as well as the fidelity and loyalty found in few other pets. If you need a good friend to also help you out on the farm or ranch, do yourself a favor and check out the Australian Shepherd. You’ll be happy you did.