Australian Shepherd's are not the breed for everyone and are more than just gorgeous looks. If you would love one, make sure you know all there is to know and are committed to meeting the mental and emotional needs of the breed.
Everything below will help you understand all there is to know. Happy reading!
CHARACTER
(Australian Shepherd Club of America Breed Standard)
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, primarily working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He/she is an exceptional companion and they are also well known as 'velcro' dogs. He/she is versatile and easily trained, performing assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He/she can be reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness.
When we say “…intelligent…” what does it really mean? Aussies are intelligent and learn basic obedience commands extremely quickly (and will get bored easily by 'drilling' exercises), but they are also highly capable problem-solvers and are renowned for their ability to think independently and make decisions on their own. Aussies do not see “limits” in their environment…only opportunities. This is a necessary trait in Aussie working ability with stock and it carries over to other areas of life. Aussie owners should thoughtfully teach limits, before the Aussie takes the opportunities!
For example, fences. Other dogs see fences as insurmountable obstacle. A Lab looks at a fence and thinks, “Damn, a fence. Guess I’ll be staying in the yard.” The Aussie looks at a fence and thinks, “hmm, I can get over that” and then proceeds to try 90 different ways to do so.
Another example: if an Aussie is hungry (and Aussies are usually very food-motivated, a trait that is not listed in the Breed Standard), he/she will look for food and find a way to get it! If this means opening a cupboard, jumping onto the counter, unzipping a backpack, unwrapping Christmas chocolates, the Aussie will find a way. Aussies see roadblocks, but do not submit to them.
What do we mean by “…primarily a working dog…”? Aussies need mental stimulation just as much as physical. There should be a healthy balance in this area or problems can arise. They enjoy a challenge and figuring things out! Many homes provide massive amounts of physical activity but not much mental stimulation, and this can cause trouble. Aussie puppy owners who do not provide adequate mental stimulation to balance with the physical often find themselves with a dog that is extremely physically fit but mentally very restless. This translates to a dog that is able to strip the wallpaper in creative patterns all day long, with gusto and great stamina due to his fantastic physical condition (and his/her eager-to-problem-solve brain)!
Aussies that have adequate mental stimulation can be very satisfied with regular leash walks every day and a few free runs or active retrieval games per week.
Examples of mentally stimulating activities:
• Food dissection (stuffed Kongs instead of food bowl)
• Delectable but difficult-to-slaughter chew bones
• Retrieval games (also physically stimulating)
• Trick performance (rewarded with access to highly valued items)
• Hide and Seek with owner (physical for both players!)
• Agility (also physical, but primarily mental…on the woodpile, in the forest, or on formal equipment in a class environment)
• Free play with other, known dogs (also physically stimulating)
• Obedience classes
• Flyball (also physically stimulating)
• Working livestock (also physically stimulating)
When we say “…of strong herding … instincts...”, we're talking about the ability to authoritatively boss around livestock, a trait that has been cemented in by breeders for a hundred years or more. The key word here is “boss.”
Aussies like to have their world in order and know that they can have an influence on creating that order. This means that if leadership and guidance from humans is weak, the Aussie will step into the leadership role. Just because they CAN do this doesn’t mean that they SHOULD.
Another part of the Aussie herding instinct is strong levels of prey drive (the instinctive reaction to moving objects/pursue and capture). Prey drive is what makes an Aussie a motivated ball-player or Frisbee addict. Aussies love to chase and nip at moving objects. Children, cats and cars are often the target of this drive. It is important to channel this drive into appropriate activities and to teach the Aussie what is NOT appropriate. If prey drive is present, the dog will feel strongly motivated to express it. The owner must give the dog an outlet or the problem-solving, independent Aussie will find his own.
When we say “…he/she is an exceptional companion… versatile and easily trained…” - Owners of Aussies that have experience with other breeds often comment on the train-ability of the Aussie. Train-ability has nothing at all to do with intelligence…it has to do with the breed’s willingness to take direction. Aussie train-ability is a combination of mental and physical traits. Mentally, an Aussie likes to comply and likes to take direction. Physically, in order to be a stockdog they must be tough and gritty and bounce back readily from discomfort or pain they might encounter (getting kicked by a cow, running into a fence, working in bad weather, etc). What this means is that Aussies need to know what you want, and are usually willing to comply when they know it. In relation to stockdog work, they readily change tactics and learn the wishes of their handler. If undirected they can feel a sense of anxiety and try to do things on their own, which to them is not ideal. An Aussie puppy wants and needs to be shown boundaries and feel there is a clear leader, someone whom he can look up to and take direction from.
The presence of high prey drive in Aussies can mean that people wishing to have a great sport or obedience dog can use prey-drive games as high-level motivators. Some Aussies like prey-drive games more than food rewards!
Toughness/stoicism should also be considered in regards to health. Aussies can be stoic to the extreme. If your Aussie is showing pain, it is worthwhile to investigate right away.
Lastly, when we say “…guardian instincts…reserved with strangers…” Aussies are generally closely attached to their family but do not tend to seek contact with strangers. This does not mean they are shy or aggressive. Aussies are selective in their social interactions, but there are always some exceptions with extremely well socialised dogs.
LIFE STAGES
Puppies: As youngsters, these traits are often blunt or not present at all. This is Mother Nature’s way of allowing the dog to explore his environment and learn to accept things.
Teenagers: During adolescence (10 months to about 18-20 months) Aussies often go through a phase in which they “try out” some of the instinctual tendencies that are cropping up as their bodies and brains mature (just as human teenagers do!). The traits mentioned above often express themselves in extreme ways during adolescence as the dog learns.
Adults: True adult personality (18-20 months onward) is often very different from the puppy and adolescent stages.
So what does all of this information on the inherent Aussie personality and different life stages mean to the person raising an Australian Shepherd from puppyhood?
Basically, it means that the owner should be aware of inherent breed traits and also aware that these traits can appear at different ages and in different strengths. Particularly in adolescence, extreme behaviour can be seen. Owners should predict potential expression of these traits, recognise preliminary signs of them, and raise the puppy right from the start with the aim of prevention of future problems.
______________
If you have ready this far, then an Aussie might just be the right breed for you. Good knowledge of basic breed characteristics can allow Australian Shepherd owners to prepare and train their dog to be the best companion possible. Ignoring these basic traits during the raising and training process almost always results in problems.
He/she is a dog that loves his family beyond measure and tolerates strangers with dignity but not effusive affection.
For some, these traits will be unwelcome and disappointing. For the true Aussie fancier, these traits are what make the breed the best dog in the universe.
Everything below will help you understand all there is to know. Happy reading!
CHARACTER
(Australian Shepherd Club of America Breed Standard)
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, primarily working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He/she is an exceptional companion and they are also well known as 'velcro' dogs. He/she is versatile and easily trained, performing assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He/she can be reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness.
When we say “…intelligent…” what does it really mean? Aussies are intelligent and learn basic obedience commands extremely quickly (and will get bored easily by 'drilling' exercises), but they are also highly capable problem-solvers and are renowned for their ability to think independently and make decisions on their own. Aussies do not see “limits” in their environment…only opportunities. This is a necessary trait in Aussie working ability with stock and it carries over to other areas of life. Aussie owners should thoughtfully teach limits, before the Aussie takes the opportunities!
For example, fences. Other dogs see fences as insurmountable obstacle. A Lab looks at a fence and thinks, “Damn, a fence. Guess I’ll be staying in the yard.” The Aussie looks at a fence and thinks, “hmm, I can get over that” and then proceeds to try 90 different ways to do so.
Another example: if an Aussie is hungry (and Aussies are usually very food-motivated, a trait that is not listed in the Breed Standard), he/she will look for food and find a way to get it! If this means opening a cupboard, jumping onto the counter, unzipping a backpack, unwrapping Christmas chocolates, the Aussie will find a way. Aussies see roadblocks, but do not submit to them.
What do we mean by “…primarily a working dog…”? Aussies need mental stimulation just as much as physical. There should be a healthy balance in this area or problems can arise. They enjoy a challenge and figuring things out! Many homes provide massive amounts of physical activity but not much mental stimulation, and this can cause trouble. Aussie puppy owners who do not provide adequate mental stimulation to balance with the physical often find themselves with a dog that is extremely physically fit but mentally very restless. This translates to a dog that is able to strip the wallpaper in creative patterns all day long, with gusto and great stamina due to his fantastic physical condition (and his/her eager-to-problem-solve brain)!
Aussies that have adequate mental stimulation can be very satisfied with regular leash walks every day and a few free runs or active retrieval games per week.
Examples of mentally stimulating activities:
• Food dissection (stuffed Kongs instead of food bowl)
• Delectable but difficult-to-slaughter chew bones
• Retrieval games (also physically stimulating)
• Trick performance (rewarded with access to highly valued items)
• Hide and Seek with owner (physical for both players!)
• Agility (also physical, but primarily mental…on the woodpile, in the forest, or on formal equipment in a class environment)
• Free play with other, known dogs (also physically stimulating)
• Obedience classes
• Flyball (also physically stimulating)
• Working livestock (also physically stimulating)
When we say “…of strong herding … instincts...”, we're talking about the ability to authoritatively boss around livestock, a trait that has been cemented in by breeders for a hundred years or more. The key word here is “boss.”
Aussies like to have their world in order and know that they can have an influence on creating that order. This means that if leadership and guidance from humans is weak, the Aussie will step into the leadership role. Just because they CAN do this doesn’t mean that they SHOULD.
Another part of the Aussie herding instinct is strong levels of prey drive (the instinctive reaction to moving objects/pursue and capture). Prey drive is what makes an Aussie a motivated ball-player or Frisbee addict. Aussies love to chase and nip at moving objects. Children, cats and cars are often the target of this drive. It is important to channel this drive into appropriate activities and to teach the Aussie what is NOT appropriate. If prey drive is present, the dog will feel strongly motivated to express it. The owner must give the dog an outlet or the problem-solving, independent Aussie will find his own.
When we say “…he/she is an exceptional companion… versatile and easily trained…” - Owners of Aussies that have experience with other breeds often comment on the train-ability of the Aussie. Train-ability has nothing at all to do with intelligence…it has to do with the breed’s willingness to take direction. Aussie train-ability is a combination of mental and physical traits. Mentally, an Aussie likes to comply and likes to take direction. Physically, in order to be a stockdog they must be tough and gritty and bounce back readily from discomfort or pain they might encounter (getting kicked by a cow, running into a fence, working in bad weather, etc). What this means is that Aussies need to know what you want, and are usually willing to comply when they know it. In relation to stockdog work, they readily change tactics and learn the wishes of their handler. If undirected they can feel a sense of anxiety and try to do things on their own, which to them is not ideal. An Aussie puppy wants and needs to be shown boundaries and feel there is a clear leader, someone whom he can look up to and take direction from.
The presence of high prey drive in Aussies can mean that people wishing to have a great sport or obedience dog can use prey-drive games as high-level motivators. Some Aussies like prey-drive games more than food rewards!
Toughness/stoicism should also be considered in regards to health. Aussies can be stoic to the extreme. If your Aussie is showing pain, it is worthwhile to investigate right away.
Lastly, when we say “…guardian instincts…reserved with strangers…” Aussies are generally closely attached to their family but do not tend to seek contact with strangers. This does not mean they are shy or aggressive. Aussies are selective in their social interactions, but there are always some exceptions with extremely well socialised dogs.
LIFE STAGES
Puppies: As youngsters, these traits are often blunt or not present at all. This is Mother Nature’s way of allowing the dog to explore his environment and learn to accept things.
Teenagers: During adolescence (10 months to about 18-20 months) Aussies often go through a phase in which they “try out” some of the instinctual tendencies that are cropping up as their bodies and brains mature (just as human teenagers do!). The traits mentioned above often express themselves in extreme ways during adolescence as the dog learns.
Adults: True adult personality (18-20 months onward) is often very different from the puppy and adolescent stages.
So what does all of this information on the inherent Aussie personality and different life stages mean to the person raising an Australian Shepherd from puppyhood?
Basically, it means that the owner should be aware of inherent breed traits and also aware that these traits can appear at different ages and in different strengths. Particularly in adolescence, extreme behaviour can be seen. Owners should predict potential expression of these traits, recognise preliminary signs of them, and raise the puppy right from the start with the aim of prevention of future problems.
______________
If you have ready this far, then an Aussie might just be the right breed for you. Good knowledge of basic breed characteristics can allow Australian Shepherd owners to prepare and train their dog to be the best companion possible. Ignoring these basic traits during the raising and training process almost always results in problems.
He/she is a dog that loves his family beyond measure and tolerates strangers with dignity but not effusive affection.
For some, these traits will be unwelcome and disappointing. For the true Aussie fancier, these traits are what make the breed the best dog in the universe.