They are excellent watchdogs. However, they are not the best dogs for actually protecting anyone. Even with the best training, these dogs usually won't be as good at protecting people and property as other breeds. They don't have the instincts to supplement any training they receive.
Australian Shepherds will act very protectively around their owners and immediate family. Outsiders may make the Aussie cautious and guarded and sometimes even aggressive depending on whether you've socialized your dog.
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.
Aussies love to be with their families. They form strong bonds with all members and can be pretty protective. This protective streak comes from their herding dog heritage. Many believe that herding is just chasing sheep or cattle into pens, but herding breeds have to work as guard dogs too.
Are Australian shepherds aggressive? 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.
They, like some other animals, have their one chosen person, which is probably you if your dog sits on you all the time. When the Australian Shepherd chooses their person, they begin to exhibit loyalty towards you, even to an extreme degree.
Dogs will give a warning growl in situations involving things like resource guarding, stranger danger, feeling cornered, or feeling stressed. Dogs use these warning growls to communicate to you or another animal to “back off” because they are uncomfortable.
Australian Shepherds are medium or large strong dogs who are built for long hours of herding through all sorts of terrain.
They are fearless and speedy, with a reputation for being able to turn on a dime making them excellent cattle driving dogs. Some Australian Shepherds have short or 'bobbed' tails, and this was seen as a good trail when herding, as a shorter tail is less likely to get injured by cattle legs.
Attention Seekers
Aussies can be very clingy. They crave human companionship and love being included in pretty much everything you do, including being involved in all family activity. Since they require an active lifestyle, they will want to join in everything and anything that is going on around them.
While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don't know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.
Australian shepherds are active and thoroughly enjoy being outside. Owners of this breed enjoy playing Frisbee at the beach, going to the park, and camping outdoors. This breed has a passion for living life to the fullest and people who live with Australian shepherds are said to have a lot of friends.
The bottom line. Australian Shepherds are bundles of fun, but they are also highly sensitive dogs. You should never leave an Aussie alone for more than four hours at a time, and try to make the most out of every day to prevent boredom and loneliness when they're left to their own devices.
A potential con is that they are known to be a high energy breed. If you're not an active person, I would not recommend this breed for you as they do require daily walks and training to have a well-balanced dog.
Australian Shepherds aren't the best guard dog out there – but they aren't the worst either. Their caring nature and intelligence make them easy to train as protective dogs. However, they lack a lot of the oomph that some other breeds have. You can likely train these dogs as protection animals.
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.
German Shepherds have a strong proclivity towards biting humans, while Australian Shepherds are more friendly overall. If you're looking for a loyal, clever, and kid-friendly dog, you may want to consider one of these dogs.
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. But don't worry!
Australian Shepherd Behavior
With proper training, good socialization and adequate regular exercise, Australian Shepherds can be very well-behaved dogs. They are also very loyal and attentive to their owners, so it's not uncommon for them to become a shadow and follow their pet parents around as much as possible.
Aussies are best suited for families with an active lifestyle and a large fenced yard. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and have an average life span of 12-13 years.
It Could Be A Sign Of Affection
Again, most of the time, a dog nibbling is actually something positive. For example, it is often your dog's way of showing how much they love you. It might actually be a form of grooming, which is how dogs bond and show respect to members of their pack that have a higher standing.
1. Calmly remove your dog from the situation. No scolding, no yelling, and no physical punishment. Gently take hold of her collar, lead her to a quiet room away from the action, and leave her there with a bowl of water and a chew toy.
Australian Shepherds will bark at strangers, loud noises, and other animals as a way of getting rid of all that excess energy. More so, they can display the same type of behavior towards squirrels, thunderstorms, or even a passing car.
Their cute little bobtail butts wag their whole body when they greet you.