Australian Shepards?

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

We’re still a few years away from actually getting a dog but I love to think (dream) ahead so I’ve been researching different breeds trying to figure out which breed or breed mix might work well for what we are looking for. I believe I’ve settled on an Australian Shepard. Things I like about the breed- smart, loyal, friendly, good family dog, low barking, can be trained to go off leash, and can help us with our (future) goats.

My only hesitation is the high (HIGH) energy breed characteristic. I know they are a working breed and do best with lots of exercise and/or a job. We have a farm (5+ acres), right now with a horse and mini donkey, but plan to add some (pet) goats in the future (small herd of 4-6) and will likely add a pony and another horse into the mix as my son grows and when my horse retires. DH and I both work out of the home full time but overlap on when we leave/get home. So whatever dog we get would be alone M-F from about 8:30-4. We are not a running/jogging or hiking on the weekends family, but obviously do plan on walking the dog as well as letting it run around our (mostly fully fenced) property. I definitely want a dog to play with- fetch, frisbee, etc., and with goats, it would be nice to have a dog that could help round them up if we let them loose in the yard and help put them in at night. I also want a dog that I can take trail riding with me (though that is not as frequent as I would like, as I have to trailer out for that- no trails off our property). But I was thinking I could maybe teach the dog to exercise with my horse and I at home??

Anyways, would we be crazy to get an Aussie? I would love to hear peoples’ stories about theirs- likes/dislikes, schedule, how you get their energy out and any jobs you give them.

[S1969]

I don’t have an Aussie but I do own high energy dogs - mine are Brittanys, and they are designed to “work all day” like many herding breeds. In fact, if it was possible to “tire out” a Brittany by playing with it for an hour, it would be considered defective and/or grossly out of condition.

It’s important that you do not underestimate the effort that is needed to keep high energy dogs occupied. Hopefully someone will chime in to describe what they do with their Aussies in this way.

I run my dogs off leash 2x a day, no matter what the weather – that is in addition to them having pretty much free access to my fairly large fenced yard if they want. By “running my dogs” I mean that I walk about 3/4-1.0 mile through my property and adjacent vacant property and they run - over about 25-30 acres. I don’t get to stand there and watch them. It is about a 25-30 minute effort, so I don’t think it’s a lot, but it is really important for them to be able to explode out of the gate and run off some of their energy.

Every day I have to cajole them back to the yard - they could keep going for another hour or two, but I simply don’t have that time or space.

I think for most high energy breeds you would need to think about a 30 minute, 2x day active/engaged exercise. In addition I would add in other things like obedience classes and/or trail riding - but I wouldn’t think that a weekend activity would be enough to keep your dog exercised throughout the week. (Plus I think it makes injury more likely because the dog will explode when they get to run but be less conditioned for that kind of blasting around.)

[Zu_Zu]

[B]Aussies are wonderful dogs - for the 'right ’ home.

• that’s a long day alone for a young or adult Aussie ~ IMHO

Not saying it’s impossible but this will take some real daily work ~ to endure Aussie happiness and SAFETY ~ IMHO[/B]

[GoodTimes]

My aunt has two full Aussies. I find her dogs irritating every time I go there. I believe it’s because they don’t get enough structured exercise. Like you they work full time and are on 10 acres. They take the dogs out for a “walk” in the morning and evenings, but other then that they are just thrown outside in the fenced yard if they want out.

I’ve got an aussie/Bernese mountain dog cross. She was high energy as a pup but started to slow down a little when she hit 3.
Her day looks like this
5:30 am: wake up and run 3-5km with me
6:30-7am: out in the yard sniffing around
7:30-7:45: play catch until I have to leave for work
Alone loose in the house from 7:45-4:40
In the evenings she either comes to the barn with me, goes for a long walk 1-2hours in the bush with SO to check trail cameras, comes out on the ice in the winter to fish, or we’ll periodically sign up for classes like obedience/tricks/agility one night per week.
If she’s pacing around the house but doesn’t want to go out (or I don’t want to go out) I put her to work mentally doing 15-20 minutes of obedience or tricks. People underestimate how much mental work can tire a dog out.

If you’re home a lot outside of work, and the dog can hang out with you morning and evening doing outside chores then an Aussie would probably be ok. Just be prepared to carve out an extra hour or two of time during the day if your dog turns out to be extra high energy. A few hours of structured exercise combined with mental stimulation a long with lots of outside time is usually enough to keep most young high energy dogs under control. Aussies tend to be very good at agility so that could be something to get into.

[cloudyandcallie]

I got my first aussie in 1967. I’ve had, hmmm, 7 total, 5 of them Las Rocosa. Buy the Hartnagles’’ books! MY 2nd aussie was a daughter of Hud.

I only had one hyper aussie and she, Kippy, and I went to obedience school and both of us shaped up. I’ve had aussies on 2 acres with a river, aussies love water, and aussies in Atlanta, the city not the burbs, for over 20 years and aussies in an apt in St Louis, downtown. An aussie as a puppy will amuse herself by eating one of every one of your shoes if you leave your closet door open even if you have other dogs and cats for her to play with. An aussie will dig up houseplants and you will learn that a dozen cattails, when opened, will look like clouds floating thru your apt. In a house with access to a fenced backyard even a small yard in Atlanta, aussies will dig nice big holes under your AC outside. You will never be burglarized anywhere if you own an aussie. She will nip the cop who comes to investigate when someone tries to break in but the cop will say good for you. An aussie raised with cats will do everything the cats do except climb a tree. They are so smart.

Buy from a reputable breeder so you don’t get one with hip dysphasia. Buy the books. My breeder, Elaine Hartnagle, now deceased but her family carries on, offered to take Kippy back when I said eek, hyperactive, but I found a great trainer in Atlanta, Pat Klausman of Pekay, now retired, and both Kippy and I learned how to control hyperactivity.

My first Aussie Boo was 2 yoa and a Seeing Eye dropout when a family friend from California sent him to Savannah to her elderly parents who advertised him on TV. Our neighbors got him and he bit them all and their German Shepherd and moved over with my horse and my father’s llewellyn setter and never went back. He set the standard for all the aussies who followed him and I found Las Rocosa and drove out there, then in Boulder, and bought my 2nd aussie to go with Boo.

Go to the nationals if you can. They were held one year in Gainesville GA.
If you have a yard that your aussie can play in and other dogs, rescues are good, great. Once your aussie gets over puppyhood, you’ll find your aussies lying up in bed with the AC blasting if you sneak home to check on them from work. My aussies considered barking at the garbage men who stole their garbage for 20 years in Atlanta as “working.”" Buy “All About Aussies” by Jeanne Joy, and “The Australian Shepherd” by Joseph, 2 of the Hartnagle family members I’ve known as reputable for decades.

[Holly_Jeanne]

I had female litter mates. I work away from home. Miss them every day. One had to be put down at 16 1/2 and the other at 17. When I was out on the farm, so were they. Having two helped them burn off some energy. They were smart enough that they learned things I didn’t mean to teach. For example, I had to remind one of them that just because I yelled at the horses didn’t mean she had to go discipline them. Taught her “out.” She was allowed to bark at the horses but from the other side of the fence. Both also learned that the neighbors cows were not supposed to rub on the fence. They would chase them away but never continued once the cows moved. Neighbor and I both liked that as it saved fencing. While I was away, I had them in a run along the side of the house. They still were able to do their job by barking at the cows on the fence or people turning in my driveway. I never once had anyone ring the doorbell, I always knew they were there. Love my current dogs but they have been harder to train. Oh, and all my dogs do at least beginning obedience classes.

[Sobriska]

Personally I think an Aussie may not be a good choice with the work schedule you have. I have a beautiful blue merle.
She is VERY high energy and we do runs of 20-30 min at least three times a day. She has a job and that is herding her brother the Great Pyre and playing ball and agility.
Smartest dog I have ever had. Loves to swim. If I had to leave her alone so much she would be heartbroken as she is like Velcro.
She goes to work with me.
If you get an Aussie you will never go to the bathroom alone again, LOL!

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Thanks for all of the feedback so far- I appreciate the honest thoughts. I may still talk with a couple breeders when the time comes, but I definitely don’t want to end up with a poor match- not good for us or the dog. Does anyone have any other breed or breed mix recommendations that may be a better fit? I prefer med/large size, along with the other things mentioned in my OP. Not looking for a protective/guard dog, not interested in a pit/pit mix or any other similar breeds. I’m not saying they can’t be great dogs for some people, I just don’t feel comfortable with one for my family.

My primary needs are family friendly, trainable (obedience and going off leash), and not an extreme barker (I don’t mind a brief alert if someone comes onto our property/to the door or something, but I don’t want a dog that’s going to bark it’s head off at every person walking down the street/car going by/leaf falling). I realize this is a bit more superficial, and to an extent less important, but I tend to like med/longer hair (soft) and a bigger built (e.g., Aussie or lab rather than greyhound).

[Bluey]

Rough collie could work for a very nice family dog.
Females tend to have less hair than males and less undercoat than aussies, that mat so easily from it.

They are a herding dog like an australian shepherd, with half the energy, vigor and herding instinct.
Much more mellow and less energetic and super kind.
They love taking care of their people, rather than taking over if you let them, like aussies may, that some times become a little too protective.
Our old vet and his wife used to raise rough collies and they were every one lovely dogs.

The smooth collie tends to be a little rougher and stronger and single minded, unlike the soft and sweet rough collie.

[Crazylife]

I second rough collies being a good option. I grew up with them and they are great dogs and have so much less energy than AS. Our last collie went every where with me, both off leash and on. He was also a very clean dog naturally so grooming was a breeze.

We have out 2nd Australian Shepherd female right now. Someone is almost always home and she gets to pretty much go whenever she wants. She does morning chores with me and “helps” with farm work during the day and she still always has energy. Granted we do have 8 dogs but if she doesn’t get enough alone time with her selected humans, she gets mean with the other dogs. She’s very “snakey” towards the other dogs. We bought her to work cattle with but it didn’t take with her, she had no work ethic, so instead she works them from outside the fences or in the truck but she won’t work without some type of barrier. She’s my favorite dog to take out riding with me as she watches but I don’t have to worry about her getting underfoot. I love her to pieces but it’s not a breed I would ever recommend.

[She_s_Pure_Gold]

Thanks for the suggestions of a collie- I’m looking into them now. And I have to admit it’s a funny coincidence- we own an old historic farm and the last family who lived here and passed away prior to us buying it had a couple of collies, we’ve heard from the neighbors. Maybe it’s meant to be hahaha. Would love to hear any other suggestions people have but am definitely interested in looking more at collies- sounds like their energy requirements might be a better fit for us.

[GoodTimes]

Since you’re interested in something that could potentially do some herding I’d definitely recommend a rough collie.
There are oodles of other breeds out there that could work for your family ie labs, goldens, poodles, mixes, etc. but they won’t have the herding instinct.
The other herding breeds that I’ve interacted with have all been fairly OCD, high energy, and several of them I wouldn’t have trusted with kids. They like to sneak around behind and try to “herd” them, the problem is kids don’t usually go where the dog wants them to go.

[Marshfield]

Collie, Flat Coated Retriever, English Shepherd

[saddleup]

I have a six year old Aussie female. She’s the funniest, and funnest dog I’ve ever owned. She is high energy, but definitely has an “off” button, too. The first year was a killer, as others have mentioned. She ate my cell phone! And various throw pillows, area rugs…the list goes on. She refused to come when called, and I was ready to give her back to the breeder. Then she turned one, and miraculously all that went away. She has a great recall, never chews unauthorized objects (although she will raid the waste baskets when left alone and scatter debris around the house, always apologizing after we get home, however!). She goes out to feed the horses with me, goes with me to my trainer’s when I ride there three days a week, goes basically everywhere with me. I’ve never had a dog who loves car rides as much as she does.

I’m retired, so am home with her most of the time, which keeps her very happy.

I took her to puppy class for basic obedience, and she was always the star pupil. She just “got it” right from the start.

And she was housebroken in one day. You read that right. It was amazing, and honestly the reason I kept her that first year…it was her saving grace.

The best part? She makes me laugh every single day at her antics. So much personality.

[vxf111]

Love my rough collie but wouldn’t suggest the breed for “quiet” and she’s not DRIVEY but still pretty high energy (she might be more high energy than most). Another idea— corgi

[jreventer]

Not what most people think of for a farm dog-but I’d look at a standard poodle. They check all of your boxes and if you don’t like the high maintenance coat you can keep them clipped short. Standard poodles can herd too! My last standard went to the barn with me, went trail riding all the time, great off leash, great with kids and other dogs. He was a good herding dog as well.
He was a little barky but if he had a tennis ball in his mouth he was quiet:) And it was a happy want to play bark. they have energy when you need it but are not high energy dogs (I have Belgian Shepherds so truly know what a high energy dog is!). Mine have always been easy to train but not too smart (like some of the herding breeds!), easy to house train. Just all around great dogs. And if you get a dark colored standard and keep it clipped short, it will look “protective”.

[vxf111]

Today the goose hunter set up decoys and is messing around with using them. My dog has not shut her mouth since 6am. Again, collie and quiet? Does not compute. Love them, but not quiet.

[LegalTexan]

I have a aussie- among other breeds- great dogs. The first 2 years of most breeds are hectic- toddler years. Crate training is a must. Working with them too, but we keep it as playtime. Ours has a empathy that is priceless- any child coming in the yard is carefully protected. Any goat baby born he is so calm and sweet- unlike any of the other dogs we have. Our other breeds are great too, but he is exceptional. Check around for breeders, ask if you can visit- there are different temperaments- ours get “settled” with a command. They get their run/free/playtime, but when the keyword is said, they settle. Barking is not a problem in our house- they should bark- that is part of their job, but when I check and tell them to “hush”, then thats it- no discussions. I dont find them as hyper as a brittany - heck- the border collie needs more work then the aussie, but that also depends on the owners- how much do you teach them, stay involved. I work full time as well and none of ours have any problems staying in the house for that time, but again- crate training

[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

I am two months into owning my two year old Aussie…he is amazing! He’s still learning the rules…and I him…and I’m glad I have a velcro hyper GS mix to get me started but I really am happy with breed (or at least my guy!) . I also have my horses at home so spend hours outside with him, so he does burn off energy. A picture of him playing ball with my old guy…who suddenly is getting more energy around my young guy! This is Aussie energy! [ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“medium”,“data-attachmentid”:10034571}[/ATTACH][ATTACH=JSON]{“data-align”:“none”,“data-size”:“medium”,“data-attachmentid”:10034572}[/ATTACH]

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[Jackie_amp_Starlette]

Notice how the Aussies never quite have their feet on the ground as adults LOL!