Aussies are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancer. An Aussie's ears should be checked regularly to remove foreign matter and avoid a buildup of wax, and his teeth should be brushed regularly.
Common Health Problems
But they are still prone to some hereditary health issues1, including: Progressive retinal atrophy and other eye issues. Drug sensitivity due to a mutation of the MDR1 gene. Hip dysplasia.
They are not overly stubborn or spiteful, but can become that way if you don't give them enough attention or if they get bored. There is no such thing as too much activity or training with an Aussie; they can handle more than you are able to throw at them.
Without enough exercise and mental stimulation, an Aussie may become bored which may lead to destructive or snippy behavior. The tireless Aussie is a herding dog that was bred to work—if they're not given a job to do they will find one. A bored Aussie may dig, bark, or pace.
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot, making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the 'speak' command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
Australian Shepherd
Despite their high energy, Aussies are usually quiet. They may bark to alert their owners of a stranger or an unfamiliar situation but other than that, you won't hear much from them.
Many dog owners view dogs' licking as a sign of affection similar to kissing. Obsessive licking may be a sign of underlying issues, including anxiety, boredom, or fear. Trick training is an effective way to redirect problem licking in a positive way.
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
Remember though, your Australian Shepherd is doing this as a way of saying they love you. The close-knit bond the two of you have means the world to your Shepherd. They just want to be near their favorite person, even if that sometimes means being on top of you, quite literally.
According to the Australian Shepherd Club of America, Aussies may experience a number of health issues, including: Hip dysplasia: This is an abnormal formation of the hip socket. Elbow dysplasia: These are multiple abnormalities in the elbow joint. Epilepsy: This can cause occasional seizures.
This breed wasn't particularly bred to be around water, however. They are herding dogs, which means that they traditionally spent much of their life on land. They don't have the innate love of water that some other breeds have.
They are generally healthy with a life expectancy of 12-15 years. Common health conditions include hip and elbow dysplasia, multidrug resistance mutation (MDR1), ocular conditions, epilepsy, and various cancers.
Australian Shepherds are especially prone to hearing, eye, and vision problems, including Collie Eye Anomaly (which can be prevented through good breeding practices) and cataracts. Cataracts may occur at any stage of life and present themselves as a cloudiness in the eye.
Hip dysplasia is one of the most common problems regarding physical health for the Australian Shepherd breed. Causing debilitating, degenerative joint problems, this genetic malformation occurs when the hip joint does not properly fit into the hip socket.
Oftentimes, everything from a dog's temperament to its aptitude for obedience training is passed on closely from generation to generation. Over a long enough time, this pattern of passing down traits can engrain specific traits in the breed as a whole. This is how the Australian Shepherd's “wiggle butt” came about.
No matter where in the world they come from, visitors to Australia often remark about the difficulty in understanding the language. People from non-English speaking backgrounds who may have had the chance to study English at home still struggle to comprehend the Aussie vernacular and accent.
One of the first things you'll notice about Australia will no doubt be the very unique speaking habits of its people. Australians speak fast, 'chew' words and skip pronunciation of letters – combine this with their penchant for slang and abbreviations, and you have a language that's quite difficult to comprehend!
Aside from cuddling, Aussies show affection by bringing you toys, nudging you with their noses, sitting on you, and showing their bellies to you. By putting himself in a vulnerable position, he's showing that he trusts you.
Dogs lick their paws as part of self-grooming routines, however excessive licking could be a red flag. While paw licking is a common behaviour, some additional reasons your dog is licking their paw include anxiety, stress, obsessive behaviour, flea allergies or boredom.
Your dog licks you to show they care, to get attention, to understand you better and because they enjoy it. However, the reason they may prefer your feet could be because they're bursting with scent information that tells them a lot about you, where you've been and what you've been doing.
If you are a first-time owner, you're probably wondering, at what age will my Mini Aussie calm down?! All puppies and young dogs experience a period of extreme activity. In Aussies, it should stop at around 2-3 years of age.
While a Mini Aussie may love the outdoors, certain weather conditions may make them hit their pause button on heading outside. They do well in colder weather and enjoy it up until the freezing point. Their double coat provides protection from the elements.
Aussies are intelligent and learn basic obedience commands extremely quickly, but this is only part of how Aussie intelligence works. Aussies are problem-solvers and are renowned for their ability to think independently and make decisions on their own.