Prey drive can be more prevalent in certain breeds – particularly those that have been bred to pursue, chase or hunt including Terriers, Australian Shepherds and Border Collies.
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.
As a high-prey-drive herding breed, Aussies are usually extremely visually sensitive. This is important to remember during the socialization process. Aussies notice things that other breeds don't, and the socialization process should be extremely far-reaching for this reason.
Australian Shepherds are generally not aggressive, despite their reputation as bright and energetic working dogs. They, like any other breed, can become aggressive if not properly socialized and trained. Aussies, on the other hand, can be quiet, amiable, and well-behaved pets with proper socialization and training.
Rage syndrome is a rare seizure disorder in dogs, characterized by explosive aggression. Rage syndrome. Other names. A22, episodic dyscontrol, stimulus-responsive psychomotor epilepsy, Mental lapse aggression syndrome. The Malinois was the first breed to have a specific genetic polymorphism linked to rage syndrome.
Australian shepherds are prone to worry, but only under certain conditions. The majority of Australian shepherds who have a regular schedule and live in a serene environment do not exhibit signs of anxiousness. However, this breed does not do well without a schedule or frequent attention from their owners.
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. It may take them reaching seniority for their energy to drop off.
Australian Shepherds are known for their fierce loyalty with one person, that doesn't mean every Shepherd will act like that. Some Shepherds might not build a particularly strong bond with any one family member. Others might like one of you more than another, but they don't sit on you to show it.
The Australian Shepherd has a bite force of 235psi.
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.
Do Australian Shepherd Puppies Bite a Lot? Yes, Australian Shepherd puppies have a reputation for being little "land sharks." While it's true that all puppies bite, the biting in Australian Shepherd pups may be more intense. This is because of several traits inculcated in them through centuries of selective breeding.
They're a very devoted breed and highly intelligent. Australian shepherds bond with their owners and family and take their role as guardians seriously. This can cause them to be protective, but also aggressive toward things they perceive as a threat if they're not properly socialized and trained.
Today, most dogs do not need to hunt to eat. Yet just the sound, scent or sight of a moving object can trigger the prey drive in dogs.
Signs of prey drive in dogs
Lunging, chasing, grabbing, hovering above or over the shoulder of a small animal. Signs of high excitement including upright and tense posture, teeth chattering and drooling, quickening of movement, and an upright stiff tail that is wagging quickly.
Aussies are people-oriented dogs who tend to follow their family from room to room just to be near them. 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.
Female Australian Shepherds
It is suggested that females are also more sensitive and laid back. Because of this, they are said to have an easier personality to deal with. They've often got their agendas and will let you know what they want.
An Aussie will have to build up trust with someone before he feels comfortable around them. Factors that can influence an Aussie's desire to cuddle vary, and include the dog's age, his background, any health issues he may have, and his personality.
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!
About the Breed
Being a medium-sized dog, Australian Shepherds, on average, weigh between 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches in height. Their expected lifespan is 12-15 years.
An active yet easy-going dog, the Australian shepherd loves to romp with children and tends to get along well with other pets. Australian shepherds are great family pets, herding animals, police dogs and competitors in obedience trials.
Adult Australian Shepherds need around 12 to 14 hours of sleep daily, depending on how much energy they burn during the day.
There's really not much difference between the border collie vs. Australian shepherd personality. "Both of these dogs have a hard time sitting still, and need a lot of mental and physical stimulation consistently—or they'll get into trouble," Kilcommons says.