What Are Australian Shepherds’ Personalities?

Australian Shepherds aren’t exactly the most popular dog breed, but they are well-loved all around. These are sweet and caring dogs with a lot of energy and beautiful coats. This is why many people consider adopting one for their home. After all, since these dogs are smart and natural working dogs, it shouldn’t be too hard to introduce them to your space.

Well, this can be true. But if you want to give both you and your new dog the smoothest transition into your home, then you need to make sure that you have a rough idea of their personality and prepare for it. That way, you don’t meet any surprises along the way that can make it hard to introduce a new dog to your home.

This is why we’ve made this quick guide to the general personality of Australian Shepherds. We’re taking a look at what you can expect from an Aussie once it gets comfortable in its new home and a couple of other things you need to know before adopting one yourself.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

What Are Australian Shepherds Like?

One thing you need to know about Australian Shepherds is that they have a lot of energy. There’s a high chance these dogs are unlike any dogs you’ve met before, as they were purposefully bred as herding dogs. These dogs originally ran around fields herding animals, so they have a lot of energy, even when they aren’t used as herding dogs.

So, you really need to prepare for a hyper dog when bringing in an Australian Shepherd. This is why it might be best if you build a walking and exercise schedule for the pet and prepare a space where they can use up all the stored energy.

Additionally, these dogs are very smart animals. So, you won’t have a hard time training them and teaching them basic obedience. But of course, they are still pretty active animals, which is always something you need to prepare for.

With all that said, Australian Shepherds are great family dogs. If you’re looking for a canine that will be everyone’s friend for many years to come, this could be the right breed.

Things You Need To Know Before Adopting An Aussie

Understanding an Aussie’s personality is one thing, but preparing yourself for life with one is something completely different. This is why we’ve laid out some other things you might need to know before you decide on adopting an Aussie for the family:

They Are Active Dogs

While we already mentioned that these are hyper dogs earlier, I don’t think we can stress enough how hyperactive these dogs are and how much you need to prepare for this. To give you an idea of how active these dogs are, you need to take a look at their original purpose.

These dogs are used for running around large fields, herding animals, and helping shepherds. Typically, the dogs would do this the whole day, so they need a lot of energy to sustain that. You can check out some of the best food that is suited for Australian Shepherds here: spotandtango.com/learn/best-dog-food-for-australian-shepherd/

Since breeders tended to focus on traits that make the dogs better workers, many modern Aussies are incredibly active.

Double Coats Need Extra Care

If it’s your first time owning a dog with a double coat, be ready for some significant adjustment. To start, double coats are very thick, and you are going to deal with a lot of shedding. This is why we recommend getting a vacuum and air purifier to take out animal fur from the floor and from the air.

Additionally, you need to take care of the coat. Aside from feeding your dog the right food that would promote a healthy coat, you need to groom them and brush them regularly. While this will require some work, this is something you have to accept if you decide on adopting an Australian Shepherd yourself.

Choose Aussies from The Right Breeders

Another thing to know is that different breeders produce different Aussies. If you plan to raise your Aussie at home as a family dog, we highly suggest staying away from breeders specializing in farm dogs. This is because the dog is going to be naturally more hyper than others, which might give you a hard time down the line.

Most of the time, breeders will share what line their Aussies came from. If they say that the dog comes from a line of working farm dogs, it’s best to stay away from them unless you need a herding dog yourself. Additionally, make sure you get the dog from a responsible and ethical breeder to practice responsible pet ownership.

Conclusion

An Australian Shepherd could be the right dog breed for your home and family. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these are hyper dogs that require a lot of care and socialization.

So, before adopting one, we highly recommend researching their personality and temperament and putting a lot of thought into deciding whether or not they’re a good fit for you.

IMAGE: UNSPLASH

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