I knew what I was getting into when we decided that the Australian Shepherd was going to be our next breed of dog. We researched the breed and felt this breed would suit our farm and family well. Alot of people don't do that and I feel this is why there are alot of unwanted dogs out there. People don't realize how big a breed gets, how much room they need, that a certain breed of dog needs more exercise than others, that a certain breed doesn't do well living in an apartment or living on a farm. We even have friends that bought a German Shorthair Pointer and they lived in the city with a very small yard. They never took it for walks and the dog kept jumping out of the yard. I blame the owners for not researching the breed and just getting whatever kind of dog looked good. They should have taken the time to find out if this kind of dog could adapt to living in the city. I think they can but with the right owners who take them to a dog park, the beach, walk it daily. They ended up having to get rid of the dog because it kept escaping their small yard and they were getting complaints. I also believe there are so many people out there that don't deserve to own a dog or any animal for that matter. But that is another topic all together and one I am sure we all will agree on.
The reason for this post is because this is something I am really passionate about! I just want more people to stop, think and research before they just go out and buy a dog! We did this and I know we purchased the right breed for us.
So enough of the serious talk. I love my Aussies. Even though one can be very challenging, I do not regret the decision we made. I love how they are full of energy and how much love they give us. I love it when Sadie does helicopters, from a complete standstill she can jump up and spin 360's without ever touching the ground! I love how they try to herd us, at first I thought it was annoying that Bailey would constantly nip at our heels as we walked down the hallway or walked out to feed the horses but this is what they do. I laugh at it now and it doesn't hurt! I love how attached they are to us, Sadie has a hard time leaving my side and I know if I was ever in trouble she would protect me!
I only have one complaint, well it isn't a complaint really, more of an annoyance. I also knew getting this breed that they would need to be brushed everyday. I let them outside and they come back with sticks, trees, hay and leaves attached to them. Sadie is the worst! She is a total stick magnet.
It doesn't really help that she will just lay in anything, even the horse poo pile. Yes, this is what you are seeing, Sadie laying in horse poo! You got to be kidding me! Anyone want a kiss?
The sticks are usually bigger than this, I just didn't have my camera out on a good stick day.
It is really hard to get good pictures of Aussies. They do not hold still! By the time I start to zoom my camera Sadie is 20 feet away!
Covered head to tail in hay, sticks and probably horse poo!
I am constantly pulling sticks out of their fur.
Even in the snow we have problems. We were hit hard this year with snow storms, we had over 2 feet of snow at once. This is what happend during that snow storm. The snow just balled up on Sadie's legs. This picture was taken on a good day, there were times she had so many snowballs that she couldn't sit down! And she wasn't even outside for more than a few minutes! Poor Sadie!
I think alot of people could not tolerate this. They would probably give the dog away because it got too dirty! I don't care that I have to pull sticks and leaves out of their fur. I knew what I was getting into. If only others out there would take the time to research breeds before they jump into buying that cute puppy than alot of "unwanted" dogs wouldn't be out there in animal shelters or abandoned on that country road!
18 comments:
I SO AGREE with what you're saying here. I get so tired of people who complain about their animals when in actuality they are the ones who have the problem. Animal ownership is a major responsibility, but also a priviledge that so many people take for granted. I don't get why so many people have such a cavalier attitude about animals. Do your research and know what you're getting into! If it's overwhelming, it's your own fault for not picking the right breed for your lifestyle and/or not doing all that you can to channel their energy in a positive way. Animals are animals and it's up to us to be held accountable for our choices. Ok, on a not so serious note, I'm crackin' up at Sadie! I just love Aussies...don't know if I could handle that coat though! I'm spoiled with my short hair doggies. Often times, I "brush" them with a lint roller! ;)
I too agree with researching what you buy, before you buy!!!! I love the blue merles!! I have a red merle and he is just gorgeous!! My other is a mini but she is a "non registerable" color... That is so funny that they get all of that caught in their coats...I wonder if it's your climate difference on their furs cause I can't think of that ever happening with mine?!?! Very cute though, I love all of your animals and your dedication to them!!! We need more like you!!
15 years before we ever met one, my dad knew from the moment he heard the breed description that the Rhodesian ridgeback would be just the dog for us. And he was right! I've loved many breeds and hoped one day I would be able to get hold of a Moroccan Aidi (looks life a black and white version of Sadie and is used as a police dog), later a Great Dane (only the thought of their short life span dissuaded me). But the Rhodesian ridgeback - albeit high activity maintenance - is the best thing that happened to me!
So tell me, what made you fall for the Aussie in the first place? It's not a common breed in Sweden so I must admit I know next to nothing about it... They look lovely but I can related to that fur! Had a Bernese Mountain / Tervuren cross that was big of fur issues :-) thankfully, we have neither snow nor mud here West Africa! I'm sure I could have sold pillows stuffed with her fur though, as there was so much of it!
Well said - so many people just don't think things through... Should we discuss the people that don't get their male dog neutered and then complain about how strong/pushy/misbehaved etc. their dog is? I'm speaking about my neighbour - we run the other way when we see him coming!
I don't know if I could handle all of the grooming with the Aussies - that must be alot of work. They are very cute though, so I'm sure it's worth it!
We are labrador retreiver people - we thought about other breeds, but our black lab suits us to a T. Even though we were experienced with the breed, we researched breeders and spoke to vets to make sure we got the right type/temperament we were looking for.
Aww what BEAUTIES! They are just gorgeous! We have a blue merle named Duke. I have loved Aussies since I was 13 or 14 when I babysat for a family with one. Got Duke when I was 21. He is the best self cleaning dog EVER! If he gets burrs on him (which is QUITE often) he just lays there pulling them all out (the ones he can reach) and then there are little piles of burrs all over the floor lol. He also licks himself clean like a cat if he gets muddy. Yeah. Its nice though, less cleanup for me! ;-) Hubby and I agree that we will ALWAYS have a "Bubs" as we call our wigglebutt. This is a great post, thanks for sharing. I totally agree with you, people need to be responsible pet owners. I get so sick of people complaining about their dogs when they just went out and got one without thinking, they just wanted the CUTE puppy. Argh! We will probably never buy another Aussie pup, but rescue from now on as there are plenty that need homes (unless we can get one of Duke's relatives!)
Great to meet you and I will definitely be coming back =)
"The snow just balled up on Sadie's legs."
Show sheen. Yup. I have a smooth/wire mix fox terrier, her hair is like a long smooth coat the furs are very long but smooth. Anyway, my horses stay outside 24/7 and Indigo gets HUGE snowballs on her belly and back legs and tail. I tried for two years to keep her clipped shorter but she shivered under her belly where her long winter hairs (you know the thin, really long random ones) so I started to use show sheen and wadda ya know. Works like a charm. I sprayed her once a day and the snow might build up but it slid right off without pulling those long random winter hairs.
Very good post! people often get a case of the"oh she/he is so cutes" and forget thar there is WORK involved. You have to spend time with your pets.
Great post and pictures! The Painted Creek is the perfect place for all your critters. They have lots of room to roam and run and play and have fun, just like children love to do when growing up! The next perfect thing is that you and your OH love your animals. I think some people just should not have amimals.
Great PSA there, Paint Girl!!! People research other "things" before they buy them, so why wouldn't they do the same with a dog??? (A lot of them don't though, right??)
Aussie hair is annoying...I will gladly second that...lol!!!
PS-Your place is beautiful (referring to your previous post).
Amen to that and I feel your pain! I'm ALWAYS picking sticks and stuff off Chey when she comes in! Especially when it's raining, which doesn't slow her down at all! I don't think her coat is quite as tick or fluffy as your two, but the stuff she drags in is still pretty impressive. I really love it when those weeds with the little sticky balls come up. I can pick those out for hours and hours and still not get them all.
Sydney beat me to my punch though...Show Sheen. It's a godsend. I give her a bath, soak her in Show Sheen and she's good to go until she gets really wet again. Then I just reapply. It helps with the matting and the random treasures getting stuck. Not sure if it helps with snow though, I didn't try that one.
I agree totally with everything you have said. My husband didn't want a "big dog in the house" until we got Annie our boxer. Once he met her he fell in love. As you know we now have 2 boxers. I have had a total of 5 now in my life. I love the breed to death! They run and play and eat grass and horse hoof trimmings (that is their favorite treat of ALL!) and I wouldn't trade one day with the for all the tea in China. My neighbors have an Aussie and he's a good dog. He loves to go trail riding with anyone.
great comments from everyone. My loving husband recenlty mention he would not mind having one. I have been lobbing for one for years!!! We have done some research a few years ago but if he's serious...we'll get in and brush up before we get one!
Esther-We decided on the Aussie because they are a herding breed, they are loyal to their families, very intelligent, we wanted a dog that could hang out with us all day! Also one of our older dogs we used to have was 1/2 Aussie and we just loved him!
Sydney- Thanks for you Show Sheen advice, I will give it a try after their next bath!
Ali- Sadie is actually very good about pulling sticks off of her, she does need assistance from time to time! For some reason Bailey doesn't get as many sticks stuck in his fur, Sadie is just a mess all the time! :)
My brother's chow/shepherd mix gets snow balls. I'm going to have to try the show sheen suggestion. I totally agree about doing research before you get a dog or any pet. It's really important to think with your head (and heart).
You are so right. Many people just get a dog because it's cute or pretty or is the right size to carry in a purse. They don't pay attention to whether the dog came from a puppy mill or what it's needs are. It does get tricky though when you buy a mixed breed and you're not sure exactly what you're in for. I thought I had a border collie mix but had her tested and she's a German Shepherd, Golden Retriever, Malamute, Collie mix. I can see a little bit of the behavior of all those breeds in her.
Sadie and Hank are poop pile soul mates! I love it. Does she also roll in horse urine??
I can tell how much you love your animals. :)
Amen! I really hate it when a certain breed gets to be "chic". Can you imagine what is going to happen to the Portuegese Water Spaniel now that Obama has one?
As for the snow balls... our yellow dog, Misty, is a golden retriever X rottie and has a coat more like a golden. (She actually looks a LOT like a blonde Sadie) and she gets those snowballs too!
You forgot to mention those new breeds....such as Labradoodles? I know a few, they are nice dogs, cute and soft and apparently shed-free, I think. But do we need new breeds when there are so many out there to chose from, and so many unwanted dogs at the shelters?
Besides, if people are creating new breeds, you need to create the "Bailey" breed. Try creating more of those, if anything, LOL! ;)
Post a Comment