Aus Shepherds
- Thread starter mrose_s
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I have a couple of aussies 
)..Your pooch looks like a heeler? If you can handle a heeler and aussie should be a piece of cake, but rather different I'm sure..
I also have GSD's and the difference I see in both can be amazing..The GSD's for me anyhow, are very biddable, love to work for "you", very loyal..The aussies on the other hand are again, for me, "what's in it for me" attitude LOL,,they are quite comical, aren't to serious about anything but 'play', and definately entertaining..
Would I get another? probably, they are very very social and again, comic relief at times)
diane
)..Your pooch looks like a heeler? If you can handle a heeler and aussie should be a piece of cake, but rather different I'm sure..I also have GSD's and the difference I see in both can be amazing..The GSD's for me anyhow, are very biddable, love to work for "you", very loyal..The aussies on the other hand are again, for me, "what's in it for me" attitude LOL,,they are quite comical, aren't to serious about anything but 'play', and definately entertaining..
Would I get another? probably, they are very very social and again, comic relief at times
)diane
Aussies are less sharp than Heelers for the most part, though it also depends on what lines you get. There are some hardcore working lines still out there. Being herding dogs, they like to bark and keep order going, do quite well in agility (they used to dominate before BC's got so popular), rally, obedience, SAR...they're an awesome all-around dog. Many (though probably less in the show lines) still have a good protective/watchdog streak to them...are pretty aloof to people they don't know but can warm up quickly. You can def. tell who their people are!
They're also extraordinarily smart and it keeps you on your toes. Also have lots of energy and lots of hair!
They're also extraordinarily smart and it keeps you on your toes. Also have lots of energy and lots of hair!
I see, thanks. I thought Buster was ACD till we got Harry and relised no, Buster is blue but he has very little ACD in character, very much kelpie. Sort of the same but not so over the top. Harry is almost unbearable soemtimes and I've been told that his personality isn't even as full on as a lot of ACD's... lol
what are they like with other dogs as a general rule?
what are they like with other dogs as a general rule?
Meg says Aussies are very huggable!
I spent a lot of time around Aus. Shepherds when I was considering getting one. I also housesit regularly for the one in the picture. He's actually from the breeder I had planned to get mine from - mostly show lines, although this dog is fairly high-drive compared to some of the show-bred dogs I've met.
When discussing the differences between Aussies and BCs at agility one night, the common answer was "Border collies take everything seriously; Australian shepherds don't take anything seriously." While they can be good workers, they always seem to be having a great time. The ones I've met are absolute clowns. It's actually one of the things that turned me off of the breed for myself (well, that and the realization that hair like that isn't a good match for a barn dog!).
I don't know that I've ever personally met an Aussie that was truly dog aggressive, but I have met quite a few that tend to set off fights. Some, like the one I take care of, because they are so bouncy and in-your-face with other dogs. He is just the sort of dog that would set Meg off, but because they've been hanging out since he was 9 weeks old, he gets away with it. I also know one with strong working lines who gets very obnoxious about herding other dogs as they run, and can set off fights that way.
They are really neat dogs; at some point in my life, I may go back to wanting one. They have a lot of qualities I do like.
I spent a lot of time around Aus. Shepherds when I was considering getting one. I also housesit regularly for the one in the picture. He's actually from the breeder I had planned to get mine from - mostly show lines, although this dog is fairly high-drive compared to some of the show-bred dogs I've met.
When discussing the differences between Aussies and BCs at agility one night, the common answer was "Border collies take everything seriously; Australian shepherds don't take anything seriously." While they can be good workers, they always seem to be having a great time. The ones I've met are absolute clowns. It's actually one of the things that turned me off of the breed for myself (well, that and the realization that hair like that isn't a good match for a barn dog!).
I don't know that I've ever personally met an Aussie that was truly dog aggressive, but I have met quite a few that tend to set off fights. Some, like the one I take care of, because they are so bouncy and in-your-face with other dogs. He is just the sort of dog that would set Meg off, but because they've been hanging out since he was 9 weeks old, he gets away with it. I also know one with strong working lines who gets very obnoxious about herding other dogs as they run, and can set off fights that way.
They are really neat dogs; at some point in my life, I may go back to wanting one. They have a lot of qualities I do like.
Let me tell you. They're pain in the ass when they're puppies, and once you have them trained. You better be on your toes and get ready lol They can out smart you, they will protect you from anything etc
They're good nature dogs. And a lot of Aussies end up in shelters like ACD b/c they're so smart and also they get into everything if not trained!
People who don't know what they're doing when they have a dog should not have a Aussie. I'd never consider a Aussie or a ACD to a novice dog owner
I used to own a Aussie her name was Lacey. I loved her to pieces, I always felt safe with her then I did with Misty. I lost Lacey last year day before thanksgiving of cancer, one of these days I want another Aussie
Aussie have high energy
They're good nature dogs. And a lot of Aussies end up in shelters like ACD b/c they're so smart and also they get into everything if not trained!
People who don't know what they're doing when they have a dog should not have a Aussie. I'd never consider a Aussie or a ACD to a novice dog owner
I used to own a Aussie her name was Lacey. I loved her to pieces, I always felt safe with her then I did with Misty. I lost Lacey last year day before thanksgiving of cancer, one of these days I want another Aussie
Aussie have high energy
As a general rule they're pretty good with other dogs. They do love to play and herd and this can **** off some other dogs, especially if the Aussie gets really insistant that everyone NEEDS to be STILL and QUIET RIGHT NOW.
From what I've seen and what I'm hearing on my Aussie board and various people, is that the working/farm lines are a little bit more serious overall, though perhaps not quite as much as BC's, and the show lines are more bouncy/goofy all the time. The show lines also seem to have lost that some of that wash n' wear aspect to their coats...I think Sawyer's coat would fare just fine in a barn, then there are others that I know would ended up so matted they coudn't move in under an hour. They used to be the all-purpose farm dog, so they had to have easy to care for coats around a barn.
From what I've seen and what I'm hearing on my Aussie board and various people, is that the working/farm lines are a little bit more serious overall, though perhaps not quite as much as BC's, and the show lines are more bouncy/goofy all the time. The show lines also seem to have lost that some of that wash n' wear aspect to their coats...I think Sawyer's coat would fare just fine in a barn, then there are others that I know would ended up so matted they coudn't move in under an hour. They used to be the all-purpose farm dog, so they had to have easy to care for coats around a barn.
Im considering adopting a Aussie female myself. I have an Aussie mix right now, but Im not sure if the other part of him (Jack Russel) has amped up his prey drive, or toned it down. As it stands he is go goggoogogogo when we are outside. When we're in the house, he can chill out though, and just be a couch dog. He doesn't even mind if we can't get outside for a day or two as long as we play some inside games, or he gets fed with his buster cube.
The female Im looking at seems like the perfect match for both of us, the right size, the right temperment, all thats left is to meet the owner and hope she thinks everything will work out as well!
The female Im looking at seems like the perfect match for both of us, the right size, the right temperment, all thats left is to meet the owner and hope she thinks everything will work out as well!
They sound pretty great, I love Buster's seriousness but sometimes Harry cracks me up with his random bounces and the way he struts along when he's proud of himself, his goofiness is adorable, completley different to Buster though.
For my next dog I'm sticking away from dogs prone to DA, I just want to avoid it if possible for the next dog because I don't want to go through it again if possible, thats why I'm not looking at kelpies yet.
Whatever high energy I have will be doing agility, obediance and probably herding if it applies. And I don't want to get a second dog till Buster's issues are sorted and I'm much fitter so I can run a few km's everyday. They still ineterest me now though.
For my next dog I'm sticking away from dogs prone to DA, I just want to avoid it if possible for the next dog because I don't want to go through it again if possible, thats why I'm not looking at kelpies yet.
Whatever high energy I have will be doing agility, obediance and probably herding if it applies. And I don't want to get a second dog till Buster's issues are sorted and I'm much fitter so I can run a few km's everyday. They still ineterest me now though.
I just have a few reservations about getting an Aussie. One, the coat. I know Im going to have to brush it, and possibly trim it, but I just want to know one thing... Do they get.. erm.. poo stuck in their britches? The female I REALLY REALLY want doesnt seem to have a very long coat, but one can never truly tell from pictures.
Also, does keeping an Aussies coat clipped short destroy the fur like in some breeds?
Actually, my only reservation is about the coat...
Also, does keeping an Aussies coat clipped short destroy the fur like in some breeds?
Actually, my only reservation is about the coat...
The coat will vary depending on the lines and the diet your dog is on. I got incredibly lucky with Sawyer's coat, his is very much the wash n' wear type...if he gets muddy I just wait until it dries and then I brush it right out. Burrs don't stick to him too badly, a couple swipes with a slicker brush and we're done. They do shed quite a bit, even when on an optimum diet, though I don't think it's as bad as a husky or anything. Again, though, it will vary from dog to dog.
They're not supposed to be an overly-trimmed breed, though many people keep the ear feathers down, shave the backs of the hocks and some keep the belly hair trimmed up for a neater outline. I do the first two. Shaving an Aussie I think ruins the coat and makes them look dumb.
The only time I've ever had poo get stuck in the britches is when he's had diarrhea (not often, thank God) but again, easily washes out. Otherwise, nope. Not a problem.
They're not supposed to be an overly-trimmed breed, though many people keep the ear feathers down, shave the backs of the hocks and some keep the belly hair trimmed up for a neater outline. I do the first two. Shaving an Aussie I think ruins the coat and makes them look dumb.
The only time I've ever had poo get stuck in the britches is when he's had diarrhea (not often, thank God) but again, easily washes out. Otherwise, nope. Not a problem.
I concur with Zoom on quite a few points..My female is out of mostly show lines/HOF (hall of fame) dogs, and hasn't got a serious bone in her body..My male is out of old Los Rocosa working lines and is pretty serious..They also have differing coats,,female has that lovely puffy show coat, male has the shorter stock coat..
Also living with GSd's "forever" , they shed FAR worse than my aussies,,in fact I wouldn't even say my aussies "shed",,it takes some brushing to get them to give up most of their coat, where the gsd's you blow on them and the fur flies))).
My female gets more grooming than my male with that puffy show coat,,she DOES at times get poop stuck to her britches,,however, I make sure she is always clipped around the butt area. The only other clipping she gets her feet/hocks and probably once a year I'll strip/thin out her "pants"..She is a "mud dog",,who loves nothing better than to get down and dirty,,she dries off pretty clean however, (as zoom says her's do),,and a quick brush you'd never know...
Im also lucky one of my gsd's breeders is a groomer))) and thank god for my metro air force blower LOL..
My female has an excellent temperament which was VERY important to me, I had seen to many dog aggressive aussies I wasn't liking much)..She isn't a social butterfly with every dog or person she meets, but she can go anywhere and I have never had a problem with her being in a pack of dogs. My male on the otherhand, "mr serious",,has a good temperament, but he is not fond of other dogs in his face/space,,he is more of a "loner" which is also fine by me, he also can go anywhere and mind his own business..
Diane
Also living with GSd's "forever" , they shed FAR worse than my aussies,,in fact I wouldn't even say my aussies "shed",,it takes some brushing to get them to give up most of their coat, where the gsd's you blow on them and the fur flies
))).My female gets more grooming than my male with that puffy show coat,,she DOES at times get poop stuck to her britches,,however, I make sure she is always clipped around the butt area. The only other clipping she gets her feet/hocks and probably once a year I'll strip/thin out her "pants"..She is a "mud dog",,who loves nothing better than to get down and dirty,,she dries off pretty clean however, (as zoom says her's do),,and a quick brush you'd never know...
Im also lucky one of my gsd's breeders is a groomer
))) and thank god for my metro air force blower LOL..My female has an excellent temperament which was VERY important to me, I had seen to many dog aggressive aussies I wasn't liking much
)..She isn't a social butterfly with every dog or person she meets, but she can go anywhere and I have never had a problem with her being in a pack of dogs. My male on the otherhand, "mr serious",,has a good temperament, but he is not fond of other dogs in his face/space,,he is more of a "loner" which is also fine by me, he also can go anywhere and mind his own business..Diane
It wasnt really the shedding I was worried about, it was more the wash 'n wear aspect I guess. The female Im looking at has a flater coat, but it is slightly longer than Sawyers looks.
I also have a GSD, and he is a wonderful dog, but wherever he lays down, and then gets back up, its like a crime scene with hair around his outline! I cant remember the name of the brush I use to get his undercoat out, but it works rather well. Ill brush him with that, then use the furminator (which works great by the way) and then give him a bath.
So, about once a month he looks stunning. The rest of the time, hes got puff of fur fluffing out, or you brush up against him and you come away with enough Apollo fur on you to coat another dog.
Thank god it stops mostly in the winter and summer!
And speaking of washing, Ozzy rolled in horse poop today, so hes outside until I can give him a bath.
I also have a GSD, and he is a wonderful dog, but wherever he lays down, and then gets back up, its like a crime scene with hair around his outline! I cant remember the name of the brush I use to get his undercoat out, but it works rather well. Ill brush him with that, then use the furminator (which works great by the way) and then give him a bath.
So, about once a month he looks stunning. The rest of the time, hes got puff of fur fluffing out, or you brush up against him and you come away with enough Apollo fur on you to coat another dog.
Thank god it stops mostly in the winter and summer!
And speaking of washing, Ozzy rolled in horse poop today, so hes outside until I can give him a bath.
What do you guys think of this breeder? Im not looking for a puppy right now, but maybe on down the road...
http://www.mikatura.com
I emailed the breeder ^ with a few questions and she has already replied back. She seems very nice and knowledgeable about the breed. Bad thing is she is in Canada, so unless I make some friends in Canada who are willing to go check her out, then I doubt Ill be able to realistically buy one from her. I really liked her dogs though...
http://www.mikatura.com
I emailed the breeder ^ with a few questions and she has already replied back. She seems very nice and knowledgeable about the breed. Bad thing is she is in Canada, so unless I make some friends in Canada who are willing to go check her out, then I doubt Ill be able to realistically buy one from her. I really liked her dogs though...
I think you ought get a male... In fact why not go here and read this
So you Want to Adopt an Aussie.
http://www.aussierescue.org/AdoptFromARPH/AdoptionApplication.aspx
The females are more dominate then males are. And Zoom will tell you all everything you need to know pretty much what I would say LOL She's a better explainer then I am :hail:
I lost my heart dog Lacey about two years ago of cancer, and Misty about year ago cancer too and other illness etc
Someday I'll plan on adopting a aussie
So you Want to Adopt an Aussie.
http://www.aussierescue.org/AdoptFromARPH/AdoptionApplication.aspx
The females are more dominate then males are. And Zoom will tell you all everything you need to know pretty much what I would say LOL She's a better explainer then I am :hail:
I lost my heart dog Lacey about two years ago of cancer, and Misty about year ago cancer too and other illness etc
Someday I'll plan on adopting a aussie
I have heard that in a lot of herding breed the female can be more pushy, and I know thats true for a lot of the GSD's that Ive met. Im meeting a female this weekend, and Ive met quite a few Aussies, so Im prepared.
Ozzy, who gets along with almost every dog hes ever met, seems to have more of a liking for females. Im getting another dog for both of us, and while he'd love a male, I know he'd love a female to play with even more.
Apollo doesnt care, and wont be around as much as Oz, since he is living with my SO, and I wont be moving in down at the house he's at, for atleast a year. Plus I really like everything the woman has told me about this female so far, and she does have a few problems, but nothing serious, mostly she needs some housetraining and to learn not to jump on people, but she really seems like a good fit.
Ozzy, who gets along with almost every dog hes ever met, seems to have more of a liking for females. Im getting another dog for both of us, and while he'd love a male, I know he'd love a female to play with even more.
Apollo doesnt care, and wont be around as much as Oz, since he is living with my SO, and I wont be moving in down at the house he's at, for atleast a year. Plus I really like everything the woman has told me about this female so far, and she does have a few problems, but nothing serious, mostly she needs some housetraining and to learn not to jump on people, but she really seems like a good fit.