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Webmaster.
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Webmaster.
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Marabil Australian Shepherds
Marabil Australian Shepherds
Is an Australian Shepherd Right for You??**
Getting a puppy of any breed can be a 12-15 year commitment. An Australian
Shepherd puppy is an adorable, wiggling, fuzzy ball of fur. You would be hard
pressed to find a cuter puppy than an Aussie. Unfortunately, people can fall in love
with a puppy for all the wrong reasons and end up with a lot of heartache or a dog that
is not suitable for their lifestyle. The Australian Shepherd is not the right dog for
everyone. If you are considering buying or adopting a rescue Australian Shepherd,
you first need to learn as much as possible about the breed. You will need to locate
either a reputable breeder who can provide references and proof of all applicable
health and genetic testing on their breeding stock dogs or contact one of the national
rescue organizations. However, before you decide that an Aussie is the right kind of
dog for you, please keep the following in mind:
Can you commit to daily exercise of your dog? Remember, when you come home
from a long day at work, your Aussie will be ready to play! Aussies are very
intelligent and may find ways to entertain and exercise themselves if their humans
companions don’t. This can include barking, chewing, digging, and even escaping
from a less than secure yard. Daily walking or running, as well as engaging in
organized dog sports such as agility, obedience, flyball, and frisbee, are all good
ways to keep their minds and bodies fit.
Can you manage a dog that is described in its breed standard as having a strong
guardian instinct and as being “reserved with strangers”? While an Aussie should
never exhibit unprovoked aggression, it can be expected to defend its family and home
against what they perceive as a threat. In their role of family companion, Aussies
require ongoing socialization and it’s important to remember, your Aussie will not be
everyone’s friend.
Can you make sure that your Aussie is properly socialized beginning the moment
you bring that cute little puppy home? Because of their guardian instincts, correct
and thorough socialization from a young age is crucial for Aussies and may prevent
future behavioral problems. This means exposing your Aussie to new and different
surroundings, people, and noises with great frequency; and fully incorporating your
Aussie into your family’s daily life. The best rule of thumb when it comes to Aussies
is…socialize, socialize, socialize.
Can you live with a constant companion whose sole purpose in life is to be with
you everywhere you go….room to room, upstairs and downstairs, inside and
outside, to the kitchen and to the bathroom, sometimes even into the shower?
The Aussie’s devotion to their owner and/or family is instinctual and legendary. They
are not called the “Velcro Dog” without good reason! They love their people and
want to be with them. They will not tolerate being left outside when their people are
in the house. While it’s important for them to learn that it’s okay to spend time alone,
an Aussie should not be considered an “outdoor dog”.
Can you commit to the grooming and care of an Aussie? This is a double coated
breed and they do shed, sometimes a lot! In order to prevent mat from forming in their
coat, they need regular grooming to ensure dead hair is removed.
Can you commit to training your puppy, a very smart puppy, from the first day it
arrives home? In addition to in home training, Aussies must attend obedience classes
from an early age. This will not only help ensure that you raise your puppy to be a
well-mannered companion, but also see that your Aussie is well socialized to new
situations, people, and other animals.
If these “facts” worry you, then you may want to consider that an Aussie is not right
for you and your family. Aussies are an amazing breed and with a family that is
committed to their care, socialization, training, and exercise, these dogs make the most
wonderful family companions you could ever hope for, as well as wonderful therapy
dogs that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. But remember, they can’t do it without
you! An Aussie puppy is so much more than an adorable bundle of fur; they are a
blank canvas, full of the utmost potential. It’s up to responsible and dedicated
families to turn that potential into something AUSS-SOME!!
Getting a puppy of any breed can be a 12-15 year commitment. An Australian
Shepherd puppy is an adorable, wiggling, fuzzy ball of fur. You would be hard
pressed to find a cuter puppy than an Aussie. Unfortunately, people can fall in love
with a puppy for all the wrong reasons and end up with a lot of heartache or a dog that
is not suitable for their lifestyle. The Australian Shepherd is not the right dog for
everyone. If you are considering buying or adopting a rescue Australian Shepherd,
you first need to learn as much as possible about the breed. You will need to locate
either a reputable breeder who can provide references and proof of all applicable
health and genetic testing on their breeding stock dogs or contact one of the national
rescue organizations. However, before you decide that an Aussie is the right kind of
dog for you, please keep the following in mind:
Can you commit to daily exercise of your dog? Remember, when you come home
from a long day at work, your Aussie will be ready to play! Aussies are very
intelligent and may find ways to entertain and exercise themselves if their humans
companions don’t. This can include barking, chewing, digging, and even escaping
from a less than secure yard. Daily walking or running, as well as engaging in
organized dog sports such as agility, obedience, flyball, and frisbee, are all good
ways to keep their minds and bodies fit.
Can you manage a dog that is described in its breed standard as having a strong
guardian instinct and as being “reserved with strangers”? While an Aussie should
never exhibit unprovoked aggression, it can be expected to defend its family and home
against what they perceive as a threat. In their role of family companion, Aussies
require ongoing socialization and it’s important to remember, your Aussie will not be
everyone’s friend.
Can you make sure that your Aussie is properly socialized beginning the moment
you bring that cute little puppy home? Because of their guardian instincts, correct
and thorough socialization from a young age is crucial for Aussies and may prevent
future behavioral problems. This means exposing your Aussie to new and different
surroundings, people, and noises with great frequency; and fully incorporating your
Aussie into your family’s daily life. The best rule of thumb when it comes to Aussies
is…socialize, socialize, socialize.
Can you live with a constant companion whose sole purpose in life is to be with
you everywhere you go….room to room, upstairs and downstairs, inside and
outside, to the kitchen and to the bathroom, sometimes even into the shower?
The Aussie’s devotion to their owner and/or family is instinctual and legendary. They
are not called the “Velcro Dog” without good reason! They love their people and
want to be with them. They will not tolerate being left outside when their people are
in the house. While it’s important for them to learn that it’s okay to spend time alone,
an Aussie should not be considered an “outdoor dog”.
Can you commit to the grooming and care of an Aussie? This is a double coated
breed and they do shed, sometimes a lot! In order to prevent mat from forming in their
coat, they need regular grooming to ensure dead hair is removed.
Can you commit to training your puppy, a very smart puppy, from the first day it
arrives home? In addition to in home training, Aussies must attend obedience classes
from an early age. This will not only help ensure that you raise your puppy to be a
well-mannered companion, but also see that your Aussie is well socialized to new
situations, people, and other animals.
If these “facts” worry you, then you may want to consider that an Aussie is not right
for you and your family. Aussies are an amazing breed and with a family that is
committed to their care, socialization, training, and exercise, these dogs make the most
wonderful family companions you could ever hope for, as well as wonderful therapy
dogs that can bring a smile to anyone’s face. But remember, they can’t do it without
you! An Aussie puppy is so much more than an adorable bundle of fur; they are a
blank canvas, full of the utmost potential. It’s up to responsible and dedicated
families to turn that potential into something AUSS-SOME!!
** This information has been
compiled and reproduced for a
wide variety of resources and is
intended for information use
only. NCASC is not responsible
for the accuracy of the
information included.
compiled and reproduced for a
wide variety of resources and is
intended for information use
only. NCASC is not responsible
for the accuracy of the
information included.
