The SKINNY on Aussies

TOO CUTE!

Oh my gosh is that an adorable puppy! Love the pictures.

Too cute!!!

Hey you guys - stop it!!!!!  It's too soon for me to get puppy fever again. [][][]

Are Aussies born tailless? [:-] I've seen some with and some without, I think...

I know. It's making me want another one too and I've got a full house. They're just so cute. And it's been 6 years since we've had a puppy in the house.
 
I believe aussies have their tails docked at birth. I don't know of any natural bobs but it may happen. We have one aussie on our flyball team that the breeder left the tails on. He's got a beautiful bushy tail. I love the breed tail or no tail.

Australian Shepherds can be born with full tails, natural bobs that are more than two-three inches, or completely bobbed tails.  Most breeders will dock them to the last vertebrae even when they are natural bobs for continuity.  My aussie was a natural bob but his tail was a few inches long.  He was docked.  Our female aussie had a long tail and was docked.  The reason for docking has to do with tail carriage while herding. They do not hold their tails close into their bodies like BCs do.  To reduce risk of getting them stepped on or caught in things while herding, the farmers docked.  It has now become more of a fashion/breed recognition thing.  However, in Europe, docking of any form is illegal (ears, tails, etc.) so for the conformation ring, you'll now start to see more and more aussies with tails so they can show in Europe, as well.

I own two working aussies (spiritdogs, I think we share some lines in one of ours if yours has Slash V).  They are aloof with strangers, will look me dead in the eye when I'm talking with them, they are high drive, very loyal, learn anything and will try it twice without questions.  They are very loving to their owner, but couldn't care less about anyone else. They are protective big time and I know my male would maim someone quite well if they were to come into the house uninvited.  But when he gets to know you, a good butt scratch never hurt anyone.  They both want constant action. This winter has been torture on them and they bring me frisbees, toys and balls every waking moment.  I've had to ban them from the kitchen because they won't stop dropping toys behind me for food.  I have never had to put a hand on them in discipline except once when we were around sheep my male tried to bite me to get away.  He was over worked up and all he could think about was the group running by. That is one behavior I do not believe can be "click and treated" as I refuse to allow my dogs to bite me...EVER, so I forcefully put him on the ground on his back and growled at him.  He never, ever, tried it again.  They both learn very quickly and as long as I provide them with some work throughout the week, they do not do "bad" things that are undesirable behaviors.  If aussies are acting up, it's because they are extremely bored.  A walk around the neighborhood will NOT cut it.  You have to give them something to make them think or they will be "bad" aussies.  And that goes for working lines or show lines to an extent.  The show line is a different aussie and a very different topic...but for the most part, the description you have given is exactly what the aussie initially was bred to be.

OH...and to share in the puppy pics...

all I have to say is what great pictures!

Considering all the Aussie owners know about the explosive energy level and spend 1+ hours on exercise a day, what do you do to deal with extra energy?

I find that working their MINDS serves to rid excess energy believe it or not.  I think a lot of the energy comes from not having something to think about, so they want to "run" it off so to speak.

I do a 10 minute session per day of obedience commands and fun tricks, in addition to a run outside and game of fetch the ball and/or catch the frisbee.  In the winter we play fetch the ball indoors with a soft ball that won't ruin anything if it bangs around and off furniture.  Both my Aussies learned "careful" when running through the house which means don't slam yourself into the furniture!  They come to a dead stop before they hit something and then carefully pick up the ball, they're awesome dogs! 

Aussies are very bright and really love learning new things and performing for treats!!

I take my Aussie for a 1 1/2 to 2 hr off leash run midmorning. That does him until the evening when he get a 20min game of fetch. Little things like a short car ride to the store goes a long way to keeping my boy calm.

EVERYBODY: Great pictures!

Great pictures, everyone! Here's Sam...

[linkhttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0364.jpg]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0364.jpg[/link]

[linkhttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0269.jpg]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0269.jpg[/link]

[linkhttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0151.jpg]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0151.jpg[/link]

[linkhttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0121.jpg]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0121.jpg[/link]

[linkhttp://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0478.jpg]http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q269/warmnfuzzy93/CIMG0478.jpg[/link]

Edited because I have no Idea how to add pictures.

On normal days when I work 8-5, we may run off the leash, play fetch, soccer, etc for an hour or so. Then we do some obediance and some other non-running games in the house for an hour or so before he'll finally settle down & chew on something. But he's just about 5 months old, so I can't say for an adult. He is catching on quickly and behaving a lot better than he was previously, though he still can't be around smaller dogs or children without tackling them yet. Such a smart, loving little guy & there's no doubt who his mama is! []