• The Australian Shepherd has a medium-length double coat that can be straight or wavy. Expect to brush him two to three times a week to remove dead hair and keep shedding to a minimum.
About the breed
This breed has had a rough past, which we’ll get to in a second, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be the pet for you!
They can have a lot of energy and have a bit of strength too! This medium-sized dog has so many different coat colors to choose from; Red Merles are definitely our favorites due to their unique appearance.
What are other types of Aussie tails?
For those Australian Shepherds that are born with a «normal» tail, the tail is often docked. We’ll get into tail docking in a bit, but for now, it’s important to know that the normal tail of an Australian Shepherd puppy is far from normal. The tail of an Australian Shepherd that is allowed to grow past birth is often crooked and weak.
There are several variations of the Australian Shepherd dog’s tail, some of which are curved and others straight, but if allowed to grow to their full length, each Australian puppy tail is completely covered by the same tail gross. , matted fur that covers the rest of the dog.
Mental stimulation
It’s not just physical activity that Australians need. These sheepdogs are natural problem solvers and also love to be challenged intellectually. Australian Shepherds are a working breed, and they thrive on learning new tasks and engaging in those tasks as often as possible.
It can be difficult to keep your Australian stimulated intellectually, but a great way to do this is to get him to tackle a challenging problem that includes physical activity. You can put your Aussie to work as a guide dog, dog for the deaf, assistance dog, or even as a police dog for search and rescue.
You will spend a lot of time training your Aussie so he can learn things that will help keep him busy. He can, and should, go far beyond the basic training and tricks that most people teach their dogs. Sit, stay, turn, etc. they are great and valuable, but an Aussie can do so much more and is eager to do so.
Common Health Issues for Australian Shepherds
While Aussies are generally healthy, there are a few health related issues that Aussie owners need to be aware of when it comes to caring for these dynamos .
Allergies: One of the most common health problems Australian Shepherds face is allergies, especially skin allergies. The most common symptoms of allergies include excessive scratching and/or licking of paws, hot spots, paw and ear infections, and hair loss. These allergies can be caused by environmental factors (such as pollen or fleas) and food, so if your Aussie is experiencing any of these symptoms, see your vet to determine next steps for treatment.