My niece just acquired a new pup. At 11 weeks this dog on command will sit, lie down, offer a paw, roll over and do a pirouette when the turn command is given. Not entirely consistent on stay, as the pup is a bundle of energy around other people and dogs. Pretty good on the command “leave it” when he decides to chew on something. This is by far the smartest dog that I have seen at this age. Anyone out there have any experience with this breed? I am really impressed, and I have experience with GSD’s.
Aussie Shepherd dogs
- Thread starter tdan
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29aholic
Member
I have had Aussies all my life. Sounds like yours is directly out of a cattle dog. I have had them that would herd with no instruction and had them that would run at the sight of a cow.
My current one is 14 and I had her dad and mom and she is still all puppy. I ruined her by not taking advantage of her intelligent when she was young so she is pretty much a yard ornament but if my wife is outside that dog is never more than 3 feet away.
Even though she is still all puppy I would hate to be the guy to try something with my wife cuz I am pretty sure that dog will take offense.
My advice is to take her to a trainer. Aussies have more intelligence than you can even imagine and they can be incredible if properly trained
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My current one is 14 and I had her dad and mom and she is still all puppy. I ruined her by not taking advantage of her intelligent when she was young so she is pretty much a yard ornament but if my wife is outside that dog is never more than 3 feet away.
Even though she is still all puppy I would hate to be the guy to try something with my wife cuz I am pretty sure that dog will take offense.
My advice is to take her to a trainer. Aussies have more intelligence than you can even imagine and they can be incredible if properly trained
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My brother used to have a brown Australian shepherd years ago. It had the habit of checking on everybody in the house if it woke up in the middle of the night. My brother had it trained to bring me a can of beer. Good Dog!
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
They are scary smart. Great temperament as well. They have the smarts of a Cattle Dog or Border Collie but generally without the psycho factor.
They love to please their hoomans as well. Wonderful dogs.
They love to please their hoomans as well. Wonderful dogs.
KalamazooKid
Member
I have two Aussiedoodles (Aussie/Poodle mix) and they are incredible.
Gaffer
Member
Had one that broke my heart when she died. She was so smart it was as if she were human. Slept under my bed at night and answered my "good night" with a small growl each evening. Miss her even now!
KalamazooKid
Member
And btw, you should not be allowed to post in a dog thread without pictures! 
Lee in Quartzsite
Member
Ours is a Aussie Shepard / Cattle dog mix. He adopted us when he was 8 weeks old and weighed 3 1/2 pounds. His name is Jake...and not from State Farm! He just turned 8 months old and is now 27 pounds of unlimited energy. It only took 3 weeks to have him completely housebroken. He has a toy box full of toys and loves to play fetch. Before we put him in a training class he could all ready heal, sit, lay down and stay on command. Our doors have a lever handle and it didn't take him long to figure out how to open the back door when he's outside to let himself in and the cats out. We ended up having to replace it with a round knob!
We let him run free while on walks out in the desert. He will run all day if we let him. If he gets too far away I blow a whistle and he will run back and sit at my feet. He's one of the smartest, tireless dogs we have ever owned. He's extremely loyal and loves to learn new things. He's gone from sleeping in his crate to sleeping on our bed. He's a keeper for sure!
A couple of photos: one from the day we brought him home, and the second one is him in his training class.
We let him run free while on walks out in the desert. He will run all day if we let him. If he gets too far away I blow a whistle and he will run back and sit at my feet. He's one of the smartest, tireless dogs we have ever owned. He's extremely loyal and loves to learn new things. He's gone from sleeping in his crate to sleeping on our bed. He's a keeper for sure!
A couple of photos: one from the day we brought him home, and the second one is him in his training class.
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cowboy4evr
Member
8 yrs ago , while I was still in Az , I had wanted a black tri aussie . People were paying insane prices so I just day dreamed of having one . One day , I found my dream dog . She had been dumped and was currently living under an old abandoned travel trailer . She was about 1 yr old , beautiful pure bred black tri aussie . Took her to the local vet , no one called reporting a missing aussie and she did not have a chip when he scanned her so I got to keep her . I have to caution people when they see her for the first time , " be careful " . They ask will she bite ? NO --- but she will steal your heart . I was truly blessed that day . Regards Paul
Onomea
Member
Looking at that pic, I'd say Jupiter is a true party animal!
Mule Packer
Member
Nope. The heelers are officially called "Australian cattle dogs." The Australian shepherds are a completely different breed. Interesting note, however, is that the Australian shepherd isn't really from Australia. Yep. The breed was developed in California in the 1800's.
The true "Australian" dogs are the Australian cattle dog and the Australian kelpie.
Here's a picture of a blue heeler, aka Australian cattle dog.
An Australian kelpie.
And here's a picture of an Australian shepherd, aka "Aussie."
Different breeds, different temperaments...but one thing in common, they're all extremely intelligent.
Most stock dogs are very smart. I got my first stock dog, a border collie, when I was eleven years old. The thing about most stock dogs is that they practically train themselves. They have an innate desire to please their owner and once they figure out what you want, they'll do everything they can to make you happy.
I've mostly owned border collies and am somewhat partial to them, but I've also owned an Australian kelpie and my brother had an Aussie. Again, very intelligent animals.
I've always said that the bad thing about owning a stock dog is that it's tough having an animal that is smarter than its owner.
Suzy, our current border collie.
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mafuta54
Member
Had many aussies in my younger years. They are terrific dogs and very smart!
My step daughter likes to cross Aussies with poodles. You can call them aussiedoodles, you can call them aussiepoos. I call them poossies. My Gracie, a black tri toy, has given us a couple of litters of poossies, and a couple of litters of purebreds. I have one of her pups, too, a red bi who answers interchangeably to Luna or Petunia.
Petunia just had her first litter last August, at age 8. My daughter had sent her home after a couple of weeks trying to breed her to a couple of young Aussies, without apparent success. So one morning I get up early to find her with what looks in the half-light like a vole or some bigger-than-a-mouse rodent cornered up against the wall. Wanting to avoid a mess of blood and rodent guts that is coming inevitably, I snatch up the little critter in order to take it outside.
When I turn on the light, the little varmint is revealed as not a rodent at all, but a puppy, very small and probably premature. By the time I can find a basket and some towels for them, Petunia has dropped a second pup. Twelve hours later, a third one follows.
Now, I have seen this done, but I have never thought of myself as a guy who could suck the mucus from a newborn pup’s nose in order to clear its airway. But I was home alone, witnessing this miracle of life single-handed, and somebody had to do it.
Over the years, I have had a number of Aussies through here, mostly minis. I had a beautiful red merle, about 45 pounds., smart as a whip, affectionate, and extremely athletic. A 10-foot chain link fence would not contain him if he wanted out..
Petunia just had her first litter last August, at age 8. My daughter had sent her home after a couple of weeks trying to breed her to a couple of young Aussies, without apparent success. So one morning I get up early to find her with what looks in the half-light like a vole or some bigger-than-a-mouse rodent cornered up against the wall. Wanting to avoid a mess of blood and rodent guts that is coming inevitably, I snatch up the little critter in order to take it outside.
When I turn on the light, the little varmint is revealed as not a rodent at all, but a puppy, very small and probably premature. By the time I can find a basket and some towels for them, Petunia has dropped a second pup. Twelve hours later, a third one follows.
Now, I have seen this done, but I have never thought of myself as a guy who could suck the mucus from a newborn pup’s nose in order to clear its airway. But I was home alone, witnessing this miracle of life single-handed, and somebody had to do it.
Over the years, I have had a number of Aussies through here, mostly minis. I had a beautiful red merle, about 45 pounds., smart as a whip, affectionate, and extremely athletic. A 10-foot chain link fence would not contain him if he wanted out..
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I love having a dog.......
....that is smarter than me. We had a part Australian Shepherd once. Great dog. Best was a Golden, Collie, German Shepherd mix that would literally do anything I told her to.
Here's to scary smart dogs.
....that is smarter than me. We had a part Australian Shepherd once. Great dog. Best was a Golden, Collie, German Shepherd mix that would literally do anything I told her to.
Here's to scary smart dogs.
Usmc5811
US Veteran
When I was about 8 years old I was down in the cow field and got charged by a cow. My Aussie got between me and the cow probably saving my life. The cow broke his front leg but he was still ready to defend me. My sister still has one, and hopefully when I retire and move back I’ll have another one. Only dog I’ve had that was as smart as an Aussie was a Jack Russell.
The Australian Shepherd
Two Guardian Angels and their entourage were traveling across the Spanish countryside. Tired, hungry and needing rest, they detected the aroma of a roasting lamb.
Following the aroma they came upon a shepherd tending the fire. "Kind shepherd, we are famished, may we barter for your roasted lamb?"
The shepherd surveyed the Angel's assembly. "I'll take that dog!"
Two Guardian Angels and their entourage were traveling across the Spanish countryside. Tired, hungry and needing rest, they detected the aroma of a roasting lamb.
Following the aroma they came upon a shepherd tending the fire. "Kind shepherd, we are famished, may we barter for your roasted lamb?"
The shepherd surveyed the Angel's assembly. "I'll take that dog!"
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I had a Queensland Healer many years ago. She was born deaf and so smart, I didn't realize she was deaf until a vet told me. She was a very smart and loving animal. She liked herding my other dog when they were outside together.
two-bit cowboy
US Veteran
Barley looks like a champ!
Bullet Bob
US Veteran
I like them a lot, but I wish they'd leave the tails on 'em. I know fanciers tell some hoo-haw about removing them makes it less likely they'll be damaged by livestock, but Blue Heelers don't seem to have a problem.
4barrel
Member
This is Blue Heeler. She lived to be 23 and I planted an oak tree above her 4 months ago. Best dog I have had out of 30+. She was born with a snub tail.
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KalamazooKid
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CalmerThanYou
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My wife and I are on our third Aussie. The current one "Cooper" is 15 As many have stated they are unreal smart, I over trained my first one, thinking it required training like a regular dog. The need space and a good amount of activity. Loyal, quirky, and I bet we will have another some day, hopefully not too soon. Your niece chose well!
Thanks for the feedback on this breed. My niece will NOT have her dog’s tail docked, as this is a companion animal. She has trained the pup herself. She has this technique where she makes a circle with her fingers and says “Archer focus”. That pup homes in on that command like a laser. A pocket full of turkey jerky doesn’t hurt either. She has become quite the dog whisperer, and this is a young lady that grew up with nothing but cats for pets.
Freelancer99
Member
Fishslayer
US Veteran, Absent Comrade
Here in the Colonies many dock the tails on Cattle Dogs, too. They just don't know any better.
My Dingo came with a docked tail but I love him anyway.
zonker5
Member
Don't believe all the tales about how smart they are, it ain't so.
I was working on the car and asked Gaby to bring me a 1/2" wrench but she came back with a 9/16". She just never did understand fractions. She did OK with metric, however.
I was working on the car and asked Gaby to bring me a 1/2" wrench but she came back with a 9/16". She just never did understand fractions. She did OK with metric, however.
DeathGrip
US Veteran
Here in the Colonies many dock the tails on Cattle Dogs, too. They just don't know any better.
My Dingo came with a docked tail but I love him anyway.
I had to do a little research on the tail cropping. I always thought the Australian Shepard was born tailless. Turns out only about 20% are born pre-cropped.
They're super smart dogs as are most all of the herding breeds.
My last few dogs, Briard and Giant Schnauzer. Both Drovers. Portuguese Sheep Dog and Australian Cattle Dog. Both Herders. All four smart as hell.
