The beautiful, multi-colored Australian Shepherd is a loving dog that is often very family oriented. These pets were originally used a sheepdogs, and some canines of this breed still dabble in these roles. The Australian Shepherd is a great dog for those owners who are physically active and want to spend time training and raising their dog. Australian Shepherds demand a lot of attention and need someone who can match their high-energy levels.

These dogs love activates such as fetching balls or Frisbees and running alongside their owners. They are also smart, and it is wise to stimulate your Aussie through teaching him or her lots of tricks. The USASA says that one of the most frequent reasons that Aussies are turned over to rescue groups is because their owners did not know how much energy the dogs have before they purchased one. If the owners aren’t willing to channel that energy into something positive, then the dogs can behave poorly.

Often these dogs have a tendency to leap up when they meet someone new or bark at approaching cars or persons near your home. These are activities that you will want to correct early on in your pup’s life in order to avoid them become a serious issue later on. Aussies have thick coats, so you will want to keep up with your weekly brushing if you get one of these dogs. The animals’ fur can be beautiful, but without care it can become a matted and tangled mess. Also, these dogs shed so you may want to consider getting your Aussie a short summer cut in order to avoid the amount of fur strewn all over your house.

Aussies always want to be near their families, so make sure to include your dog in your activities as much as possible to keep him or her from misbehaving because he or she feels left out. Because your dog has natural herding and guarding instincts that are instilled within the breed, you may want to watch out when you have children playing in the front yard or when joggers come near your property. Your Aussie will naturally want to herd these people in his or her direction, which can lead to unsafe situations. Aussies also nip at the heels of the cattle and sheep they herd, and may try to do this to your children or passing pedestrians if you do not remonstrate.

Aussies don’t respond well to harsh treatment, so demonstrating consistent and encouraging leadership is the best way to manage your pet. If you have an Australian Shepherd, there are some common health issues that you will want to be aware of. Aussies often suffer from hip dysplasia, thyroid dysfunction, and allergies. Hip dysplasia is a condition that occurs when the hip joints don’t develop normally and create a gradual loss of function. If your pet has a hard time standing up, then he or she might have this illness. You can try to reduce the possibility of hip dysplasia by monitoring your pet’s weight gain. The animals can also suffer from epilepsy.

If you see symptoms of any one of these illnesses in your pet, take him or her to a vet immediately for treatment. A medication may be able to save your pet from attacks or a worsening illness. Also, some Australian Shepherds inherit eye defects which will impair their vision or cause complete blindness at the end of the dog’s life. Sometimes Aussie’s with blue eyes will lose eyesight because they are sensitive to the sunlight. You want to know that your Aussie is in good hands, which is why you should locate an excellent local vet today to take care of any of your Aussie’s health concerns.