Dog Breed Info - Aussies

[Husker Z]

Okay guys, knowing that the 4R community are big dog people, I thought I would come here to gather some information.

I had a topic a while back about having to put my 2nd Husky down, which was really tough to do and everyone was really nice at that time.

Now, I think we've decided, as a family, that it's time for a new companion at home.

We have come across some Aussie puppies that need adopted, the mom is a purebred and the dad is actually a "toy" Aussie, but they were abandoned and need a home for the holidays.

Does anyone have experience with these dogs? From what I've found, they seem like great dogs, very trainable, smart and energetic. We have a family of 4, a boy 8 and a girl 4 who are VERY active. They play outside constantly with their neighbor friends and they loved playing with our Huskies.

It appears these are high energy dogs that will love to play, which I think could be perfect. My only concern is that my wife and I work, so there will be some down time until my son gets home from school at 3:15. We have a very nice fenced in yard and also access into a large house built into the garage, which is heated and cooled, so while we are gone, the dog could have access to be "indoors" or out.

It seems like it could be a great fit. Thoughts from anyone with experience??

Thanks in advance.

 

[Mytoy4]

Sorry about the loss of your Husky. It's incredibly hard loosing these guys.

Aussies are great dogs, and you pretty much nailed the two biggest things. They are very very smart and very high energy.
Being gone during the day isn't going to be a huge issue as the dog gets older, but of course someone will need to be there to let the dog outside to use the bathroom. A fair guideline is that a puppy can only hold its urine in hours equal to it's age in months. So if your puppy is only 3 months old, you don't want to go past 3 hours before he can be let outside to pee.

I would highly recommend a kennel vs letting it have access to the inside/outside. Maybe later when the puppy is older, but at least for the first year or two it should be kenneled. There are too many things for this puppy to get into while you're away. Not a good idea.

It's good you have active boys. Boys will be good for this breed of dog. Something else to consider is putting him to work in some way. Agility or fly-ball. This breed performs well at these activities. It helps build confidence in the dogs, helps build a close bond between the handler (you or your boys) and the dog and of course wears him out.

A tired dog is a good dog!

Good luck in whatever you chose! A new puppy is always exciting!

 

[Mytoy4]

Another thing to think about - see if you can find an Aussie forum. I'm the admin for a Great Dane forum and these sites can be very beneficial to those who own the breed, or those just looking to get one.

 

[redsonja]

A co worker of mine has a red heeler, Aussie cattle dog. He takes it for a run in the morning before work and leaves him alone for the day. Usually 8 to 10 hours than gets a walk when he gets home. He's never had any problems with the dog being home alone. Hope the new pup works out for u

 

[Husker Z]

Thanks everyone, appreciate it and you guys are reiterating what I've been finding out as well, which is all positive things and seems to be a great fit.

And yes, a kennel will be used until they are accustomed to the routine. I have the luxury of working less than a mile from work, so I fully intend on coming home at lunch while he/she is a puppy and letting them do their business.

I am an avid runner, so that is also a positive, I would love to have a dog accompany me on a run in the morning. My huskies were never great at that, unfortunately.

Thanks again for the info, I'm pretty excited to see these little buggers.

 

[Mytoy4]

He'll be a great running partner for you! I look forward to seeing pictures hint hint

 

[Husker Z]

He'll be a great running partner for you! I look forward to seeing pictures hint hint

Well, here is one of the litter that we are looking at. We like this one in particular, just because of the color.

 

[Husker Z]

We're going to check them out tomorrow night. They will be fixed next week, then we would be able to have one of them when they recover!

I am pretty excited, it's been awfully quiet around here since we put Lucy down.

 

[Husker Z]

I have grown up with Aussie and I have a beautiful 4yr old male now. They are fantastic dogs that will always aim to please. They are high energy but if you work with them when they are puppies you will have a fantastically trained dog. They love to run. I actually don't walk mine much, I run him. He gets a much better workout chasing a ball or frisbee than he would on a walk. I also have a bunch of trees and bushes in my yard and it's amazing to watch him cut around obstacles. Feel free to PM me with any questions. Best of luck. I know the dog will truly appreciate a lsafe loving home.

Thanks, it's great to hear from an owner, that's perfect info!

Thanks again and I definitely will shoot you a PM if I think of anything else.

 

[Husker Z]

Def crate train until around 2 years old

Yes, absolutely will do that. That's a must.

 

[Mytoy4]

Aw! He's cute! I love the merle color as well.

 

[1engineer]

We had an Australian Shepard until two years ago. She was 16 years old and got to the point where she could not stand up and other issues so we had to put her down. Copper (same color as your pic with some black and grey) was a great dog. High energy is right! I would not take her for a walk or a run - I ride mountain bikes and would take her on the trails! She could go at bike pace for miles on a trail. I never took her past 10 miles or so but I know she could have done it easy. I had a vinyl and fabric bowl that folded that I kept in my backpack and we would both stop for water about half way through the loop. For the first several years this was an almost daily activity. As she got older I just went shorter distances with her and slower and after she got 10 or so she was content to stay home and then when I got back we would throw ball. Good dog Copper was.

This breed needs LOTS of room and LOTS of exercise. They are extremely smart. Funny story: When my children were little (they are now 20 and 17) I noticed Copper would constantly run around all of us when we were outside. As an experiment one day I sent my daughter to the front yard and my son, who was only two or three at the time, to the outbuilding back in the woods, and my wife to the driveway. So we all were several hundred feet apart. Copper went crazy! She took off and I heard my daughter yell and come running with Copper right on her heels. She then took off and got my son and started jumping and pushing him and knocking him down and he took off towards me. She then went and started nipping at my wife's pants and pushing her. When we were all together Copper just laid down beside us. We tried that several times over the years and every time that dog would herd us up until we were all together. When I had one kid with me out back and my wife had one with her out front nothing happened. When they split from us then Copper made sure we all got back together again! I have all kinds of stories about her like the time she went and found my neighbor's Westie and herded her home. Anyway thanks for the memories. My kids are grown and in college now and I have a new dog: A Coonhound named Bailey that is the laziest dog known to man. Sleeps 23.9 hours a day lol. Great dog too just in her own way.

 

[Husker Z]

We had an Australian Shepard until two years ago. She was 16 years old and got to the point where she could not stand up and other issues so we had to put her down. Copper (same color as your pic with some black and grey) was a great dog. High energy is right! I would not take her for a walk or a run - I ride mountain bikes and would take her on the trails! She could go at bike pace for miles on a trail. I never took her past 10 miles or so but I know she could have done it easy. I had a vinyl and fabric bowl that folded that I kept in my backpack and we would both stop for water about half way through the loop. For the first several years this was an almost daily activity. As she got older I just went shorter distances with her and slower and after she got 10 or so she was content to stay home and then when I got back we would throw ball. Good dog Copper was.

This breed needs LOTS of room and LOTS of exercise. They are extremely smart. Funny story: When my children were little (they are now 20 and 17) I noticed Copper would constantly run around all of us when we were outside. As an experiment one day I sent my daughter to the front yard and my son, who was only two or three at the time, to the outbuilding back in the woods, and my wife to the driveway. So we all were several hundred feet apart. Copper went crazy! She took off and I heard my daughter yell and come running with Copper right on her heels. She then took off and got my son and started jumping and pushing him and knocking him down and he took off towards me. She then went and started nipping at my wife's pants and pushing her. When we were all together Copper just laid down beside us. We tried that several times over the years and every time that dog would herd us up until we were all together. When I had one kid with me out back and my wife had one with her out front nothing happened. When they split from us then Copper made sure we all got back together again! I have all kinds of stories about her like the time she went and found my neighbor's Westie and herded her home. Anyway thanks for the memories. My kids are grown and in college now and I have a new dog: A Coonhound named Bailey that is the laziest dog known to man. Sleeps 23.9 hours a day lol. Great dog too just in her own way.

Awesome story, thanks for that. I've read that they do nothing but aim to please and want a job to do at all times.

I don't have a ton of room, but I have a decent sized yard with lots of stuff to look at on all sides.

I am looking forward to having a companion that is eager to run with me and also one where if I leave a crack in the gate won't take off for god knows where, like my Huskies would do.

I know my son will really enjoy playing ball with it, he's a sports junkie, never wants to be inside.

Thanks again guys, you have me very excited to check these cuties out!

 

[psiems]

Well, here is one of the litter that we are looking at. We like this one in particular, just because of the color.

The pup is beautiful! These are pics of my dog Koda. He is a Vizsla. Enjoy your new found friend!

 

[Desert Fox]

12 years ago we adopted a Blue Merle Aussie from the pound. She was so scared my wife had to crawl in the cage to get her out. The first night we brought her home she just walked through the house all night until she fell over from lack of sleep. After that she settled in just fine
She was about a year old at the time.
We got her to be a companion to a German Shepard we had. They were unseperable.

She has been a real pleasure to have in our family. Very loving and loyal.

She is having some old age issues but over all she is still pretty active.
I say get 2 of them so they have each other as well as your kids to play with.

They are excellent family members

 

[Husker Z]

I am obsessing over this right now and as of now I think I've decided to get the female and I couldn't be more excited.

The kids are so excited they can't sleep!

 

[Husker Z]

I can't wait to take her for a ride in the back of the 4R with the back window cracked.

 

[psiems]

Every child needs a good dog in their life! :iagree:

 

[Husker Z]

Every child needs a good dog in their life! :iagree:

I agree as well. We were originally going to get an older dog, not a puppy, but some of the best times I can remember growing up are with a little puppy. I think the kids deserve that, at least once, when they are little.

They are a LOT of work, but SO worth it!

 

[psiems]

I agree as well. We were originally going to get an older dog, not a puppy, but some of the best times I can remember growing up are with a little puppy. I think the kids deserve that, at least once, when they are little.

They are a LOT of work, but SO worth it!

I remember my first dog. I was around 8 yrs. old when my dad brought home a German Shepard. We named him Prince and he was a blast to have around. My wife fought me for years before she finally caved. Now I think she loves my dog more than I do (not really ). In fact, she allows the dog to sleep on our bed. I was adamant that my son have the same experience growing up that I had. This is a picture of us hanging out on the pontoon boat this past summer.