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.
The list of the world's smartest dog breeds, according to a survey of 122 veterinary professionals conducted by Vetstreet, probably comes as no surprise. Border collies, German shepherds, poodles, Australian shepherds and golden retrievers all have a reputation for being intelligent dogs.
They are not overly stubborn or spiteful, but can become that way if you don't give them enough attention or if they get bored. There is no such thing as too much activity or training with an Aussie; they can handle more than you are able to throw at them.
Most Australian Shepherds should begin calming down at two years of age. At this point, they're considered mature dogs who can better regulate their energy. That said, not all Aussies will tone it down at this age.
Australian Shepherds are especially prone to hearing, eye, and vision problems, including Collie Eye Anomaly (which can be prevented through good breeding practices) and cataracts. Cataracts may occur at any stage of life and present themselves as a cloudiness in the eye.
In addition to being herding dogs, Australian Shepherds serve as Seeing Eye dogs, hearing dogs, drug sniffing dogs, and search and rescue dogs. Because of their high intelligence, Aussies are well suited to do a wide variety of jobs.
The natural bobbed tail is a recessive gene within the Australian Shepherd dog breed genetic code. This genetic mutation curbs the tail, naturally creating a shortened tail that is only about one or two vertebrae in length.
If you are a first-time owner, you're probably wondering, at what age will my Mini Aussie calm down?! All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age.
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
Aussies are intelligent and learn basic obedience commands extremely quickly, but this is only part of how Aussie intelligence works. Aussies are problem-solvers and are renowned for their ability to think independently and make decisions on their own.
Your Aussie will bond to his family and be protective of and loyal to them. Many dog owners are surprised to learn that even though Aussies have strong guarding and herding instincts, they are sweet and cuddly indoor dogs that can even be kept in apartments.
They require plenty of attention. Being left alone for too long may cause the intelligent, energetic Australian Shepherd to create her own fun—often through destructive behaviors or barking. While an Aussie may be left home alone for four to six hours at a time, crate training may be necessary for the dog's safety.
Licking is a natural and instinctive behaviour to dogs. For them it's a way of grooming, bonding, and expressing themselves. Your dog may lick you to say they love you, to get your attention, to help soothe themselves if they're stressed, to show empathy or because you taste good to them!
One of the first things you'll notice about Australia will no doubt be the very unique speaking habits of its people. Australians speak fast, 'chew' words and skip pronunciation of letters – combine this with their penchant for slang and abbreviations, and you have a language that's quite difficult to comprehend!
But everyone I spoke to cautioned against buying a mini Aussie just because they're adorable and seemingly easy to care for due to their small stature: Since Aussies are hyper-intelligent herding dogs, they typically need a lot of mental stimulation and physical exercise, and those unable to give them that should find ...
The 2022 Great Australian Dog Survey has also revealed cavoodles are our most popular dog breed and the most common name for dogs is Luna. Aussies are also happy to splash cash on their pups, with 74 per cent purchasing their dog for more than $1000.
Bringing an Aussie dog to the family is not difficult, but taking its proper care is quite challenging. The first few weeks are spent on helping the pet acclimatize to the new surroundings. Its training also begins on the very first day so the Aussie understands house rules perfectly.
Good With Young Children
A breed's level of tolerance and patience with childrens' behavior, and overall family-friendly nature. Dogs should always be supervised around young children, or children of any age who have little exposure to dogs.
Australian Shepherds, in particular, are energetic and active dogs that need plenty of exercises and mental stimulation to stay happy and healthy. They are also intelligent and can become bored easily if left alone for long periods of time.
No. These dogs are not naturally aggressive and make excellent family pets in many homes — they're active, loyal, and loving dogs. So if you're looking for a new canine best friend, an Australian shepherd could be one of the best dogs for you and your family.
With an Aussie's boundless energy, channeling it into something constructive can do wonders for your dog. These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train. Regardless of the activity, your dog will love doing it with you.
The behavior is a good sign that your dog is happy at home, happy with you, and happy with any other pets or friends that he might encounter throughout the day. As a general rule, Australian Shepherds need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation in order to feel happy.
Like most dogs, the Mini Aussie does best when the weather is between 32 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dog can still suffer from heat stroke, heat exhaustion, frostbite, and hypothermia in extreme weather conditions.
Black is one of the four main colors in the Australian shepherd. Here are some examples of the variability in appearance of Aussies whose body color is black. Some have generous trim and some have no copper or white trim at all. Both trimmed and untrimmed Aussies are fully acceptable in the Aussie standard.