Australian Shepherd

This dog has a very pleasant character: he is very loyal to his owners and knows how to prove his love for them. 

Naturally very playful, this sheepdog knows how to befriend both young and old people. He will appreciate playtime to unwind more than anything, both that of the physical variety but occasionally mental too, especially when he is able to spend time with members of his social group. 

This dog is overflowing with energy and will have a hard time staying put, especially if he isn’t sufficiently exercised. He will need regular walks and things to do to be able to keep him satisfied and calm in the house. 

Like any good working dog, the Australian Shepherd is very intelligent and particularly receptive to his owner’s demands. 

This dog is very skilled in a number of disciplines and excels particularly in agility, treibball and dog dancing competitions, as well as in sheep and cattle herding. 

Naturally therefore, the Australian Shepherd would be a good fit for a cattle or sheep breeder looking for some canine help to herd them. 

This pup won’t go out on a limb to hunt anything and everything - even if he is capable of pursuing smaller prey - especially if he wasn’t socialised early enough around cats or other small domestic animals. 

Conversely, since he is meant for cattle/sheep herding, the Australian Shepherd prefers to regroup animals rather than hunt them. 

This sheepdog is naturally very sociable and friendly, but he may occasionally seem reserved around strangers.

Being a sheepdog, as his name suggests, he will tend to protect his social group and be distrustful of strangers - even violent - if an intruder comes into contact with his owner, or if he senses a threat.

This dog is very close to his social group, so independence isn’t part of his natural temperament. 

He will sometimes take initiative in his work, notably when herding sheep/cattle, however, he is very attached to his owners.

His intense attachment to his social group can be advantageous, but it can also pose disadvantages since it only allows for a small amount of solitude and means that he usually prefers to be in company rather than alone.

From a very young age, it is therefore a good idea to get this dog used to peaceful absences from his owner. You can try turning the absence into a positive experience, for example by offering him fun things to do during these times apart.

Like many sheepdogs, the Australian Shepherd is very keen to please his owner and respond to his demands. 

However, it is still necessary to train him in a way that is adapted to his character and respectful of the principles of positive education. 

This companion will be very easy to train if the relationship is based on trust and mutual respect. To achieve this, training must be firm, coherent and precocious. 

He may sometimes seem stubborn, but training him in many areas from an early age and reinforcing the owner/dog relationship will be the keys to successful training and a harmonious cohabitation.

The Australian Shepherd may bark in certain situations, for example if he is not able to get the herd moving while herding sheep/cattle, or if he feels his owner has been absent for a long time. 

In short, this pup may bark if he doesn’t get what he wants, if he’s very excited, or if he’s bored. However, this personality trait can vary depending on training, the attitude of his owners as well as the correct response to his needs.

Like any normal sheepdog, the Australian Shepherd prefers to stay with his social group, rather than running away to see what’s going on elsewhere. 

Nevertheless, if this energetic dog isn’t properly exercised, it is possible he might try to escape to do a lap of the block.

As a very active and dynamic dog, if he isn’t sufficiently stimulated, the Australian Shepherd could become destructive, in an attempt to compensate for his lack of exercise. 

Moreover, since he only enjoys a very limited time alone, he may take his frustration out on anything that passes in front of his nose by chewing it up. 

However, once again, proper training and an adapted response to his need for exercise will allow you to significantly reduce, or even totally eliminate, problems with the destruction of objects. 

This pet is very greedy and will never pass up the opportunity of a good treat. When it comes to training, being greedy will be very favourable as food will serve as a great incentive for him to pay attention, which is especially useful when it comes to needing him to hold his concentration and getting him to listen. 

Despite this definite advantage, it is advised to use treats sparingly and instead provide this lovely dog with a high-quality diet, avoiding to feed him outside of normal meal times.

Sheepdogs are guardians by definition, since they are very close and protective of their social groups. Although this Australian pup might not be the most deterring sheepdog, he will still have the heart and personality to protect his group. 

Rarely appreciating solitude and full of energy, this active dog will only be suited to life in an apartment if his owners are present and available to be able to provide him with the maximum amount of exercise, games and playtime. 

This dog will always be happiest with a garden, but he should still be taken outside every day to keep his physical and mental state in check. 

Therefore, life in an apartment isn’t ideal for this companion, especially if his owners are at work all day. 

As an unyielding worker and outstanding competitor with an insatiable playfulness, this dog is perfect for active and sporty owners. The Australian Shepherd’s spirit will be limited if he has sedentary owners who like to stay in the house. 

It is essential to provide this precious dog with stimulating daily outings, whether they are physical, mental, olfactory or social. 

With proper training, this medium-sized pet will be able to accompany you anywhere without any problems. However, it is still important to respect the sensitivity of this dog, who may not like large crowds, for example.  

If you’re travelling by car, you should opt for one of the three following transportation options:

• a transport cage
• the boot of the car with a divider
• securing your dog in with a seatbelt 

On the train, his size means that you will need to put a muzzle on him and keep him on a leash. You will have to pay for his ticket, but note that you won’t gain an extra seat in doing so. 

If you’re flying, it will be necessary to put him in the hold luggage, in a transport case that is compliant with the security reglementation of your chosen airline.

If they have been brought up together from a young age, a cat and a dog can happily live together. This sheepdog won’t have any issues getting along with a cat, but his need for calm should still be respected. 

While this pet will get along just fine with a cat in the house, it is possible that he might still chase stray cats in the garden.

This playful pup will get along very well with his canine counterparts most of the time. While this dog does not have a reputation for being aggressive, you should still set up first encounters that are positive, controlled and well thought out. 

So, if he’s been socialised from a young age and crosses other dogs on a regular basis, this dog will be a great companion for his peers.

However, it is important to note that his abundant energy can sometimes be taken the wrong way by dogs that are more reserved.

Playful, full of energy, friendly and jovial, the Australian Shepherd is the perfect pet for a family with children. 

In any case, it is still necessary to follow certain basic rules to ensure a happy and safe cohabitation.

Since this dog needs to be engaged in constant activities thanks to his abundant amount of energy, inactive elderly people might not make ideal owners of this animal.  

Being so lively and active, he is better suited to a dynamic owner who often engages in sporty activities that the dog can join in on. 

This dog, being very popular for several years in the UK, is one of the most popular dog that someone adopts, not least because of his physical attributes. 

If this dog appeals to you, it is important to take into account his exercise needs and natural instincts, in order to allow him to develop in the most balanced and adapted way.