Are you about to adopt an Australian Shepherd? Well, you couldn’t have made a better choice of canine breed, considering the loyalty, industriousness, and playfulness of these fluffy creatures.
Aussies are known for being obedient and entirely devoted to their owners, willingly accepting the role of family dogs. Their extrovert nature makes them approachable and easy-going with people they’ve met, but not so sociable with strangers.
The following guide explains the physical characteristics, temperament, and potential health problems of this breed.
Physical characteristics
The Australian Shepherd is a canine breed of medium size, reaching a maximum of 23 inches of height and 55 pounds of weight. These furry creatures are equipped with one of the most remarkable coats among dogs, specific for its number of colors and the merle color pattern.
For instance, the black and white coat creates the impression of being blue, when seen from afar. The same goes for the brown and white coat, which appears reddish. The following link, https://pets.thenest.com/kind-coat-australian-shepherd-have-6593.html, explains the different types and colors of Aussies’ coats.
Since this breed was primarily used for herding purposes, it’s no wonder the coat of Australian Shepherds is weather-resistant, hence enabling them to stay outdoors at all kinds of weather conditions. Most Aussies have a bobbed tail, which is tremendously helpful when walking through weeded areas, while some of them have a tail that is long and fluffy.
Personality and temperament
The largest part of Australian Shepherds is known to be sociable, amazingly loyal, and obedient. As a result, these are believed to be one of the greatest companion dogs that humans could ever ask for.
Their impeccable loyalty is what makes Aussies capable of doing virtually anything to please their owners. These canines place their trust in the hands of their pet parents, which is why you should strive not to disappoint them.
In terms of social nature, Australian Shepherds are considered as surprisingly outgoing, always in the mood for spending time with their owners or people they’ve already encountered. Aussies are over the moon whenever their pet parents engage in physical activity with them or involve them in one of their family activities.
Nevertheless, these furry creatures tend to be aloof with strangers, particularly the ones that haven’t been through socialization training. Aussies are inherently protective of their territory and owners, thus being belligerent towards strangers. In order to restrict their aggressive behavior, it’s paramount for owners to expose Australian Shepherds to social interaction with both familiar people and strangers from a young age.
Moreover, Australian Shepherds are known to be hard workers, as these furry creatures are fond of completing tasks without any objections. Although most Aussies don’t take their previous role of herding dogs, they’d be thrilled to engage in physical activity on a daily basis. Therefore, make sure you subject them to daily obedience training in order to provide them with a challenge.
Potential health problems
Similar to the other canine breeds, Aussies have a genetic predisposition to particular diseases and medical conditions. For instance, these canines are likely to develop a dental disease due to the improper cleaning of food residue, resulting in gum infection.
When it comes to infections, Australian Shepherds are prone to developing the standard bacterial and viral infections that affect canines, such as parvo and rabies. Anyhow, these infections can be prevented by vaccinating your pet at the right age.
Furthermore, Aussies are genetically predisposed to developing musculoskeletal health issues, such as hip and elbow dysplasia, eventually causing arthritis. In case you are interested in adopting an Australian Shepherd, click over here to get familiar with the most common health problems in these canines. Additionally, Aussies are susceptible to experiencing lymphoma and hemangiosarcoma. The former affects the lymphatic system, while the latter refers to a bloody tumor that affects the spleen.
Ultimately, they’re genetically predisposed to experiencing eye conditions, such as cataracts, pannus, and distichiasis. Some of these eye problems are likely to result in completeblindness, particularly when not handled momentarily.
Bottom line
Adopting an Aussie means taking care of its health, providing the necessary training, and welcoming him/her to your family.
You’ll get a companion for life!
