Last updated on September 23, 2022
The Australian Shepherd is becoming one of the most popular breeds globally. This breed sits on the high 12th position of most popular dogs in the United States. As its fame rises, more people want to adopt an Aussie. However, not everybody can be a proud and happy Aussie Shepherd owner. Read on to find out why you should not get an Australian Shepherd.
Why you should not get an Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherds are specific dogs. They indeed make exceptional pets or work dogs. However, these pups are high maintenance. Besides being highly energetic, clingy and incredibly intelligent, they’re also quite time-consuming. Therefore, the Aussie is not fit for everyone. Here are the five major reasons why you should not get an Australian Shepherd:
- you’re a first time dog owner
- lack of time
- you want a quiet dog
- heavy shedding
- herding instincts
Now let’s explore each and every one of these reasons. As you’ll see, not all of them are that bad. Hopefully, after reading this article, you will know if you are ready to be an Australian Shepherd parent.
If you’re a first time dog owner, you should not get an Australian Shepherd
The Australian Shepherd is a brilliant dog. And even though they are effortless to train, these dogs are not a good choice for a novice dog owner. Besides being intelligent, Aussies are also clever. Therefore, these dogs might try and outsmart an unsuspecting owner.
Aussies are stubborn, so they might look for a loophole to get things their way. So, if you want to have an Aussie pet, prepare to be the alpha male and the pack leader. These dogs require a steady owner that won’t succumb to their wittiness.
As a new Aussie parent, you must begin with obedience training as soon as possible. The dog must know who’s the boss. Once you’ve established your positions, you may start bonding with your Australian Shepherd.
If you lack time, you should not get an Australian Shepherd
Aussies are needy and clingy. Being an Australian Shepherd parent is time-consuming. Therefore, if you do not have that time, you would be better with another breed.
These dogs want to be by their owner’s side at all times. And when I say all times, I mean your this will follow you wherever you go. So, if you mind having a second shadow, the Aussie is not for you.
Australian Shepherds are notorious for their high energy. If not properly exercised, they get bored, anxious, and destructive. When unattended, these dogs will chew furniture and bark all day long. Therefore, daily activities of at least two hours are a must for this breed. Besides the physical, Aussies also require mental stimulation. So, if you’re an inactive person, you better look into another breed.
These pups suffer from separation anxiety. Therefore, leaving an Aussie alone for a prolonged time is not a good idea. However, with proper training, it is doable. Yet, you can leave your dog alone for five hours tops.
Lastly, there’s the grooming requirement, but we’ll talk about that later in this article.
Heavy shedding
The hair of the Aussie is medium to long. Its coat is composed of two layers. The inner coat is dense, fluffy, and serves as an insulator. The outer jacket is harsher and waterproofs the dog. A double-layered coat means a lot of hair. And a lot of hair means a lot of shedding.
Australian Shepherd shed heavily throughout the entire year. However, there are two major shedding events: spring and fall. So, brace yourself for hairs on your clothes, on the floor, or on the furniture. However, you can remedy this with regular grooming. If you don’t like this fact or are prone to allergies, you might want to choose a breed that sheds less.
You will have to brush the Aussie’s fur at least once a week. However, comes the shedding season, this dog will require daily brushing. Bathing and nail trimming are performed once a month or by need.
If you want a quiet dog, you should not get an Australian Shepherd
The Aussie is a vocal dog that loves barking. An average Australian Shepherd will bark when happy or upset. These dogs also possess a trait of protectiveness, so they would bark when they hear or see something suspicious. Sometimes they would simply bark out of boredom.
If you live on a farm or a house, a loud dog might not be such a problem. But if you live in an apartment, constant barking might annoy your neighbours. So bear this in mind, unless you don’t like your neighbours and want to irritate them. Then go ahead, get yourself an Aussie.
Herding instincts
Before adapting to urban city life, Aussies used to live on farms and ranches. Here, they would work tirelessly and herd livestock all day long. If you know the breed’s history, you should know they are created to flock. So, herding is the sole reason for their existence. This habit remained embedded deeply into their DNA even when they became pet animals.
Thanks to its heritage, the Aussie will try and herd everything that moves around the home. Children, smaller animals, other dogs, everybody is a flock in the eyes of the Australian Shepherd. Now, this may sound cute. However, in reality, it can be pretty unpleasant. The herding methods the Aussie uses is pushing and nipping. Let’s face it; nobody wants their children harassed by a dog.
However, the herding will be resolved by proper training and early socialization. Educating your Aussie will teach it to leave the kids alone. But if you don’t want to deal with these problems, go with another breed.
Final words
If you’ve found yourself in this article, it would be better to opt for another breed. But if you’re ready to overcome all the challenges the Aussie brings, you’ll get yourself a wonderful pet.
It is true the Australian Shepherd is time-consuming and high maintenance. But for me, every effort is worth it. No dog will love and please you as the Aussie will.
So, if you consider yourself a modern, active person, do not hesitate to go and adopt one. But if you think you lack what it takes to be an Aussie parent, opt for another breed and leave the Australian Shepherd to the more experienced pet parents.
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