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.
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.
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.
Aussies are active, protective, friendly dogs that love to please and be loyal to their owners. They also have territorial instincts that can make them naturally possessive of their owners and home.
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.
Aside from cuddling, Aussies show affection by bringing you toys, nudging you with their noses, sitting on you, and showing their bellies to you. By putting himself in a vulnerable position, he's showing that he trusts you.
Their cute little bobtail butts wag their whole body when they greet you.
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.
Australian shepherd
The cute and thick-haired Australian shepherd is also prone to jealousy. Aussies are protective in nature. Therefore, when they see another person giving you a hug, their protection instincts kick in immediately.
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.
Australian Shepherds are devoted, loyal and gentle dogs. Most are reserved with strangers, but they do love people and thrive on the company of their families. They get along with other dogs but will often try to herd them – a behaviour which is often unpopular with cats.
5. Australians are Tough. Anyone who has ever watched a game of AFL (Australian Football League) will know how tough Aussies are. Growing up in a country where pretty much every animal could kill you, from spiders and snakes to jellyfish, tiny octopuses and even cone shells, you'd have to be!
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.
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.
Male German Shepherds are known to be more protective and territorial than females. Although both sexes will protect due to their genetic disposition, females tend to be more reserved and are more likely to approach guests, whereas males are more likely to doubt their intentions.
If you're looking for a fun-loving, goofy dog that yearns for affection and attention, a male Australian Shepherd is a good fit. If you are more interested in a loving yet independent dog that does not mind spending time alone, a female might be a better fit.
Just as humans stare into the eyes of someone they adore, dogs will stare at their owners to express affection. In fact, mutual staring between humans and dogs releases oxytocin, known as the love hormone. This chemical plays an important role in bonding and boosts feelings of love and trust.
Aussies are very sociable dogs. They can feel lonely when they're left alone often and are prone to suffering from separation anxiety. This is when dogs feel an overwhelming sense of anxiety over being apart from their owners.
Splooting is a great stretch for the animals' hips. Splooting also allows the animal to cool themselves by pressing their belly into the ground or against tile floors. Owners may notice that their pets sploot more often when they are younger.
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months. Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
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.
Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living. Medium-large-sized homes with gardens are best, but they can do well in smaller homes, too. Just so long as they get everything they need to be happy and healthy!
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.