My name’s Julien, and I’m seriously considering getting an Australian Shepherd this autumn. As the title suggests, I live in a city flat.
I’m the type of person who overthinks things and I’m always concerned about the welfare of others (animals included), so I’m hesitant because I’m terrified of making a mistake.
Now, I know having a dog in a flat isn’t ideal. And I know an Aussie needs space and plenty of activity.
My parents have a six-year-old female Aussie (not Kennel Club registered), so I know the breed well and I’m used to them. Although she isn’t the most obedient—she’s actually quite stubborn due to a lack of training—and she gets hyper whenever there’s a crowd, she is a very calm dog at home. She sleeps most of the day and has never been destructive at their place. She’s a real “velcro dog”; when I’m at theirs, she follows me like a shadow. During lockdown, she used to hide under my bed to sleep whenever I was in my room during the day, and she’d shadow me everywhere I went (even waiting outside the loo door) before heading back to her spot under the bed to make sure I was still nearby.
They have a garden (about 4,300 square feet/400m²). She spends her days out there from spring onwards, but otherwise, she’s an indoor dog. In winter or on rainy days, she just stays in the utility room waiting. She gets very little exercise—except when I dog-sit or visit and we go for a run—and yet her temperament is perfectly fine.
I realise that having a dog in a flat means extra constraints regarding walks, organisation, and so on. However, taking my parents’ dog as an example, I think she’d be just as happy in a flat with me going for a run three times a week (on top of regular walks) as she is with them. At their house, her physical activity consists of occasionally barking at passers-by in a garden with no toys or structured exercise.
Do any of you have an Australian Shepherd in a flat?
How is it going? Is the training more intensive?
Is your dog happy? Do you regret your choice?
Thanks for your replies! 👋
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You don't need a high-energy athletic dog to go for an hour-long run three times a week. Even a Boston Terrier can manage that. What can be an issue—and this goes for all dogs—is running on hard surfaces. Dogs don't have trainers with shock absorbers, so over time, it can take a toll on their joints. If you're going to run with your dog, it's much better to do canicross.
It's not so much the flat that's the problem, but rather the city environment. A dog that was bred to herd sheep in a field isn't going to be happy on a lead on the tarmac.
Ultimately, it's up to you to see if you can get them out to the countryside regularly, even if it means driving out in the evening for a proper walk.
When it comes to adopting an adult, you wouldn't believe how easily some people give up the pet they share their lives with... divorce, lack of time, a broken smartphone, kids who begged for a dog and then didn't bother looking after it... in short, it's more often down to the owners than the dog's behaviour.
If you aren't set on a specific breed, you could have a look at the rescue centres in your area, though living in a flat might make the process a bit more difficult.
I imagine the idea of taking your parents' dog has crossed your mind... if they aren't looking after her that much, it might be the best solution.
Thanks for your replies ;)
I’m well aware that flat living isn't exactly ideal for a dog, and probably even less so for a Shepherd. That said, in the city (I live in Bristol), I see plenty of people out with Shepherds or Borders.
I actually stopped a man in the street the other day who was with his Border Collie to ask him a few questions; he lived in a house. He’d taken the dog to training classes right from the start to help channel its energy, but he summed up his point of view in a rather interesting way: "You know, even though I have a house, when I’m home my dog doesn't play in the garden by himself—he just sleeps at my feet to be near me."
I did think about getting an adult dog, yes, but I haven't seen many adverts. And while it's true you can’t really judge a puppy’s temperament at 8 or 9 weeks, I find it hard to believe the reasons owners often give when they’re rehoming a one-year-old dog. Plus, I think it's even harsher to take a dog that’s used to having a garden (for example) and move it into a flat.
Ultimately, I’m not set on a specific breed; I just want a dog that is naturally loyal and close to its owner, and active enough to go for a run with me 3 or 4 times a week for 45 minutes to an hour.
Hi,
I agree with Provéto and Aggie; your parents' dog seems to be the exception to the rule, especially if you’re planning on getting a puppy. As for "defining" a dog’s personality (I’m putting that in quotes as it’s not always as simple as that!), there is the Campbell test—I’ll let you look into that yourself for more detail. They definitely need long walks, but also plenty of time off-lead so they can tire themselves out both physically and mentally (by taking in new scents, for example). As others have mentioned, these are very high-energy dogs and if they aren't properly exercised, they’ll start getting up to no good, like being destructive around the house or barking... They also really don't cope well with being left on their own.
Personally, I think it’s possible to keep one in a flat if all these needs are met, as I have one myself in a flat and he’s doing brilliantly so far; I’m very careful to make sure he gets everything he needs. This summer, we're moving into a house in the suburbs near a big park with a dog park inside it. (Mind you, that still won't be a replacement for his proper walks and everything else).
Hi there, of course you can always argue that dogs are happier in a flat with plenty of walks than in a garden with no walks... however, I think there are some breeds where it’s a bit more of a challenge...
Tosca has plenty of Australian Shepherd friends; they’re very athletic and many of them don't get to burn off as much energy as they really should, even with a garden and walks... I might be wrong... but I reckon you’d need a good average of 3 hours of walking a day in a flat.
Hi Julien,
From what I know about Australian Shepherds (I’m not claiming to be an expert or anything! 😉), your parents' dog isn’t really typical of the breed. It would be a bit of a gamble to go for this breed (or a Border Collie, for that matter) based only on that one example... What I’ve noticed is that so many Aussie owners end up on this forum feeling completely overwhelmed... 🙄
Hi there,
You're spot on with your last point: plenty of dogs living in flats who get daily exercise and stimulation are far happier than dogs with a garden who are left to their own devices all day.
On that basis, anything is possible, but you’ll obviously need to dedicate a lot of time to your dog to meet their 'time budget' – that’s the balance of different activities they need throughout the day to stay happy.
They’ll need physical exercise: long walks including some off-lead time so they can have a proper run, and activities like jogging, canicross, or agility. Social interaction is also vital (ideally with other dogs, like on group walks), as well as mental stimulation (puzzle toys, obedience training, etc.). These breeds are generally very 'velcro' dogs; they're much happier being stuck to your side than being left alone in a garden...
I have friends with Australian Shepherds in flats who are the happiest dogs in the world because they get out all the time, see plenty of doggy pals, go swimming, and get lots of off-lead exercise.
It’s also true that some dogs of this breed (like Borders) can be hyperactive, but unfortunately, it’s very hard to know a dog's temperament when they’re only 8 or 9 weeks old... Have you thought about adopting an adult dog? With an adult, you already know their temperament, so you can be sure the lifestyle you’re offering would suit them. Again, every dog is an individual and what works for one might not necessarily work for another...
I hope this helps.
Best regards,
Romain
