posted on May 15, 2005 09:37:55 PM new
Just wondering. We are getting closer to wanting a puppy. after several years of no pets. My parents and my brother both had Aust. Shepherds in the past and found the dogs to be fabulous pets for them. Smart, sweet, etc. My question if you own one: Do you have to brush/comb their hair a lot? How is it for keeping them groomed? Do they shed a lot?
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posted on May 16, 2005 03:32:34 AM new
no...but ya gotta keep the kangroos away.
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 16, 2005 05:00:12 AM new
One of our herd dogs is an Aussie. Keep in mind that Aussies need a job. If you don't give it one, it'll make one up for itself. This will usually involve digging or chewing, or perhaps "herding" the cat.
If you plan to spend enough time playing with the animal, it'll be a great pet.
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Dick Cheney: "I have not suggested there's a connection between Iraq and 9/11..."
posted on May 16, 2005 08:44:46 AM new
Thanks, everyone. Hmmmm. About the dog's needing a job--my dad, when retired, had a small truck farm and 2 or 3 steers when the Aussie was their pet. I didn't hear about his herding the steers around but he may have. And my brother, who also had an Aussie, is a cattle producer in Arizona (feed lots, sausage factories, buys and sells cattle, doesn't have a ranch!). I see a connection there.
About "herding cats"--I don't think they're any easier to herd than water would be!
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posted on May 16, 2005 08:51:17 AM new
You could discuss it here with people who know what they're talking about but they might be LYING so you better go to the link linduh provided to get the TRUTH!
posted on May 16, 2005 08:59:11 AM new
Okay, here's my report! When I went to the site LindaK provided and clicked on the various dogs whose names begin with "Australian," not one looked anything like my parents' or brother's dog! Now I'm wondering if he was a mutt.
THEN I took the quiz provided there, to see what kind of dog would be suited to our lifestyle, and the answer came up that "no dogs were found to find your criteria." LOLOLOL I think we're too lazy to have a dog (don't want to groom much, don't want to walk daily, etc. etc.) Case closed, I think!
Some of you may want to take that quiz. It's very revealing. Thanks, Linda.
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posted on May 16, 2005 11:11:33 AM new
LOl roadsmith - On the test. That's funny.
People always used to tell us to be sure and choose a dog that best fits your own personality. If one prefers a restful lifestyle...don't pick a dog that requires lots of excersise...etc. If one is very active, get a dog that likes to go all the time...etc.
Now we're owned labs, an Irish setter and a beagle....loved each of them and all were the best dogs we could have asked for at that time in our lives.
Recently I was adopted [someone dropped her off out here in the country] by a little black, what I thought to be a scottie...she sure looked like one to me....who ended up being a terrier of some sort. Sweet looking dog...and quick to learn my house rules. But that little girl bounced from place to place - bouncing off the walls it felt like. NEVER relaxed at all....always moving, never peaceful and full of energy from sunrise to sunset, she never stopped/relaxed.
Couldn't help but love her....but when she left and didn't return....I realized that she was certainly NOT the dog for my current lifestyle....and the peacefulness returned to my daily routine. So when the article on A S's spoke of 'they tend to nip at your heals'...I was wondering how well that would go over with you.
So don't feel bad at the answer you were given ....I'm sure there is a dog that meets your criteria out there somewhere. lol
But seriously, when I typed in the breed you referenced....there were other links with pictures of Australian shepherds that didn't look like the one pictured, too. I know when I typed in 'beagle' they don't look like the one we previously owned. Maybe try another google search on that breed and take a look at the many different Aussie shepherds they picture.
posted on May 16, 2005 02:12:00 PM new
::I think we're too lazy to have a dog (don't want to groom much, don't want to walk daily, etc. etc.)::
Sounds like you should own a Basset. They are short hair, medium coat and require minimal grooming and don't require a great deal of field time. they'll chase the ball about 4 times then they are done and will walk 3/4 of the way around the block before deiding that they have had their fill of excercize. Besides, is there anything cuter than a basset puppy with ears longer than their legs and huge teddy bear paws?
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If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
posted on May 16, 2005 04:04:00 PM new
"(don't want to groom much, don't want to walk daily, etc. etc.)::"
I think we're all well aware of that,by your pic you posted
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Baseball season has started,but they have it all wrong.3 strikes and you're out,4 balls you walk.I can tell you right now a man with 4 balls could not possibly walk
posted on May 16, 2005 04:39:39 PM new
LOL, Classic. Hey! Put a sock in it.
I"ve always wanted a teacup poodle, and maybe that's the direction I'll go. I was on a plane once with a lady who had a little black teacup poodle in an extra purse she brought along. The dog's name was Margaret Thatcher and she was THE cutest thing I've ever seen. She went to sleep in her purse-bed as the plane took off and perked up as we were landing. This was on Southwest Airlines, flying to Palm Springs. The owner said she always flew on Southwest because they'd allow her to take Margaret Thatcher with her.
For years I've told my husband I want a little bitty Margaret Thatcher. Maybe someday. . . .
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