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Working Dog Breeds
Popular working dog breeds include the courageous German Shepherd, the powerful Siberian Husky, and the determined Boxer, among a few others. They are bred to perform tasks and do their best to excel in them.
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How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost?
Aussies are some of the most beautiful dogs you will ever see. Whether it is a simple white and red combination or a mesmerizing merle pattern, these doggies simply never disappoint when it comes to aesthetics. As if all this wasn’t awesome enough, they are just as beautiful inside with their sweet, loving, and loveable personalities.
If you want to buy an Australian shepherd, it will cost you between $600 to $850. Some breeders sell them for as low as $350 while others have tags as high as $1,800 for Australian Shepherds bred from prized bloodlines.
There is quite a range there when it comes to how much you may end up paying for the Aussie of your dream. Let us take a look at more expenses you have to be prepared for before bringing one of these dogs home with you. But first, here is why Australian Shepherds can get so pricey.
How Much Does An Australian Shepherd Cost?
Australian Shepherds can go for as low as $350 and as high as $1,800.
However, most breeders sell them within the $600 to $850 price range.
Owning and maintaining an Australian shepherd on the other hand could cost you about $130 per month or about $1,500 every year. With sickly Aussies, this yearly maintenance cost could go up to $2,700 due to all the additional medical bills and special needs.
So, is it all worth it? Here are a few perks that should help make that overall cost seem more acceptable.
Australian Shepherds Are Fantastic Family Pets
One of the main reasons why Australian shepherd dogs are so popular is the fact that they make for great family dogs. This is largely due to their sweet and gentle personalities especially when raised in homes with young children.
Very Easy To Live With
Australian Shepherds are also generally low maintenance dogs that are quite easy to live with. With the exception of the sickly doggy here or there, they are relatively low maintenance. All they need is food, a warm place to sleep, and your unconditional love.
Versatile
Another reason why you should get an Aussie is the fact that they are quite versatile. They are easy to train and will fit into any role you wish. They are great as companions, emotional support dogs, and even shepherd dogs if you want to take them back to the basics.
Unique Coat
The more unique the coat color on an Aussie is the more expensive it is. This is because they have some of the most beautiful combinations from red tri to unique merle patterns. If you want a real looker then this is a dog that will impress even in its simplest form.
How Long Do Australian Shepherds Live?
Australian Shepherds have a lifespan of about 12 to 14 years.
This is quite impressive especially for a dog that size. Australian Shepherds are not necessarily sickly dogs especially if bred ethically and taken care of properly.
However, there are a few health issues that Australian shepherds may be more prone to than other dog breeds. Here are some of the most important of these and what to expect with each.
Epilepsy
Australian Shepherds are the most likely dog breeds to develop epilepsy. This is usually hereditary and will cause anything from mild fits to severe and debilitating seizures.
Blindness
This is particularly seen with double Merle Aussies.
The Merle gene responsible for the unique coat pattern affects the development of the eye and often results in unilateral or bilateral vision problems including blindness.
Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
Your Australian shepherd may also have bone and joint issues in which case hip and elbow dysplasia are the most common problems. Here, the joint socket does not form properly resulting in joint instability.
Birth Complications
Birth complications are more often than not seen with small dog breeds. However, Australian Shepherds have a litter size of 5 to 10 puppies.
The more the puppies are in the litter the higher the chances of birth complications including postpartum hemorrhaging, obstructed labor, or even birth trauma to both the mother and the puppies.
It is therefore crucial to support and monitor the Aussie’s pregnancy and get a vet every step of the way involved if possible.
How To Take Care Of Australian Shepherds?
As mentioned earlier, Australian Shepherds are quite easy to maintain. This is another reason why they are so popular especially among busy and/or first time dog owners.
However, this is not a ticket to slack on their care. They still need a comfortable, safe, and supportive home. Here are a few tips on how best to offer this kind of environment.
Establish A Balanced Diet Plan For Them
Diet is a huge part of keeping your Aussie healthy whether your pooch is healthy or as sickly as they come. This helps them grow, heal, and keep up with their very active lifestyles. As far as quality is concerned, you have to find dog food options that use high quality ingredients and have found the best balance of nutrients for your specific doggy.
For this, we recommend you try the Pet Plate subscription that offers customized meal plans. The best part is that there is a lot of variety in terms of the recipes allowing you to switch things up for the sometimes picky Australian Shepherd.
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Supplement The Diet With Multivitamins
In addition to feeding them healthy and high quality meals, you should also invest in multivitamin supplements for an all-rounded diet. These come in particularly handy for sickly dogs that need every last mineral and vitamin to heal and regain their strength.
Invest In Their Exercise And Physical Engagement
Australian Shepherds are very outgoing and energetic. They also tend to get frustrated and destructive if they are not adequately engaged both physically and mentally. According to the American Kennel Club, they need about 2 hours of exercise every day.
Do Australian Shepherds Like To Cuddle? Temperament Of Australian Shepherds
If you have an Aussie in your home, you can rest assured that there will never be a dull moment. These doggies are full of character and spirit and it will inevitably slip over into your family’s vibes.
Here are a few of an Aussie’s specific temperament traits so you know exactly what it is you are getting yourself into.
They Love Attention
Aussies are quite clingy and have what is referred to as a Velcro personality. They form very deep bonds with their favorite humans and will follow them around pretty much anywhere that they can. This definitely makes leaving an Australian Shepherd home alone very difficult.
Energetic
Australian Shepherds are very energetic and will engage anyone they can in play time including strangers. This is sometimes misconstrued as them being aggressive as they sometimes like to play a little rough. To avoid any issues, just make sure that your pooch gets plenty of exercise.
Intelligent
Australian Shepherds are quite intelligent and therefore very easy to train including potty training. If you choose to go the professional route with the training, it could cost you about $75 per week for training and anywhere from $150 to $200 for training equipment.
You could also save a lot of money by doing the training yourself. In this case, we recommend you try the Brain Training for Dogs package for all the tools and guidelines you need to do it right.
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Alert
Due to their historical use as shepherd dog breeds as well as watch dogs, Aussies are very alert and aware of their environment. However, an Australian Shepherd may not be the best guard dog as they do not attack to protect. Instead, they will bark to alert you if there is any suspicious activity.
Do Australian Shepherds Need Haircuts? Grooming Tips For Australian Shepherds
Australian Shepherds have double coats with very long, beautiful fur. They tend to shed a lot and therefore need a lot of grooming and cleaning up after. The length also makes them more prone to matting.
Professional grooming with these doggies could cost you about $50 to $80 per session depending on the groomer and the services.
You could also do it yourself in which case here are a few tips that will come in handy.
Deshed And Demat Every Week
Aussies need to be brushed at least 3 to 4 times every week to get rid of loose fur and detangle any knotted strands. This may seem like a lot but with the right tools, it should not take you more than 10 minutes at the most.
Wash Them Every Month Or Two
In addition to brushing their fur, you should ensure that your Aussie gets a bath once every 6 to 8 weeks or monthly if they are more active and spend a lot of time outdoors
Trim Their Coats Only If Necessary
Aussie coats can grow very long. However, they really do not need drastic measures like extreme trims. If you must do it, do not plan for more than one trimming per year and do not take out too much.
Miscellaneous Routine Grooming
In addition to these specific instructions, you also have to remember routine practices that cut across all breeds. This means investing in their oral hygiene with things like chew toys and dog dental water additives. It also means trimming their nails and cleaning their ears on a monthly basis.
Related Questions
How Much Does A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd Cost? Merle Australian shepherds cost between $600 and $800. This is within range for most Aussies. However, their Merle pattern comes with a host of health issues that may make their maintenance a bit more expensive. The situation is made worse when you breed two Merle Aussies as health issues especially affecting vision, hearing, and skin health are amplified.
Are Red Tri Aussies Rare? Red Tri Aussies are quite rare. Their beautiful coats consist of a combination of a red primary coat and both white and copper markings. This unique aesthetic makes them quite popular. The Red Tri Aussie should not be confused for the Red Merle Aussie that have signature mottled spots as well as blue eyes.
Are Mini Aussies Hypoallergenic? Contrary to popular beliefs, mini Aussies are actually not hypoallergenic and are therefore not great for dog lovers with allergies or with sensitive guests. Like the full-sized Australian Shepherd, they have long, thick coats that shed a lot. They therefore need just as much grooming care with regular brushing to deshed and detangle.
