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Taking your dog for the vaccination is very important and not something you want to forget and today you can learn when this should happen.

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Canines are by nature, predators, no matter how different they are now from their wolf ancestors. Every modern breed has some prey drive, but some breeds have a lot more or less than others, and each individual in a breed is different. A lot of a breed's prey drive stems from their original working role, energy, playfulness, and guarding instincts. With that in mind, let's take a closer look at the trusty Aussie and see what kind of prey drive you can expect this breed to have. HISTORY Let's take a quick look at the origins of this lovable breed so we can better understand their natural tendencies and how that affects them in our modern world. Firstly, the Australian Shepherd isn't a native Australian breed but the breed did have some refining in the country. They actually originated in the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe and were the shepherd dogs developed by the indigenous Basque. They were primarily sheepherders who needed medium-sized dogs with endless energy and sharp minds to help them move the flocks of sheep around the fertile pasture land. From that need, the original Aussie was developed and then refined with some English breeds in the 1800s in Australia. Upon arrival in the promising lands of California in the 1900s, local ranches fell in love with the intelligent working dog and they've been a staple in cowboy culture ever since. Like I mentioned a moment ago, all canines have some prey drive and it varies between breeds and individuals and Aussies are no exception. One of the best things you can teach your Aussie is a reliable recall and 'leave it' command for their own safety and when curiosity gets the better of them, and of course, keeping them out of situations where they are set-up to fail.  ENERGY/SPACE As a working canine Aussies typically find roles in, of course, herding livestock which are all prey animals. They herd everything from Geese and Ducks, to sheep and goats, to horses and cattle with amazing dexterity. Since their primary working role has changed little since the breed’s development, they retain that high energy level and herding instinct When raised with many different types of prey animals, you’ll find the Aussie has a fairly low prey-drive and is usally more curious than anything when it comes to small animals. Still, it requires a lot of work on your part to set consistent boundaries. It’s up to you, as their canine leader, to direct this working drive and energy in constructive ways so when they investigate small animals, like cats or chickens who will likely move away, they have a reliable recall.  TRAINABILITY/PLAYFULNESS As I mentioned before, when Aussie’s are raised with potential prey animals like cats and chickens, they can appear to have a minimal prey drive. That's not to say, given the right set of circumstances, that they wouldn't go after something they usually don't bother. Even though Aussie’s are highly trainable and excellent family companions, it's best to keep an eye on them around small animals even after their puppyhood. You can direct their playful puppy energy to obedience training and games; just be mindful of the games you chose. You might want to avoid things like a Flur pull until they are older and established around small prey animals since this activity taps directly into their prey drive. Frequent obedience work is a great way to build your relationship and improve their recall and ‘leave it’ commands. FAMILY/GUARDING Being a herding breed with a high energy levels means Aussie’s can be quite reactive, especially if you have more than one or other dogs in the home. Allowing too much roughhousing or depending on the other dogs to work off the Aussie’s energy is a recipe for disaster. Aussie’s can and will think for themselves. They also form deep family bonds, making them effective watchdogs and helping them excel at service work in a professional capacity. Some Aussie’s will be more reactive to a situation while others may be more proactive, and either way, it's vital that they see you, and every member of your family, as their canine leader. While they won’t see you or your family as prey, they can get over-excited when playing, and it's critical that anyone who is home with them be able to control them in any situation. WRAP UP The Aussie generally has a low to moderate prey drive once they reach maturity, but this will vary between individuals. You'll want to introduce them to any small animals in your home at the youngest possible age, so they grow up seeing them as part of the family. Always supervise their interactions with potential prey animals or make sure there are plenty of secure places for the smaller animals to get to if you'll be a step away. Most Aussie owners never have a problem, but I can't stress this enough, these are fast, and deceptively powerful canines that must have a calm, consistent leader. 

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ENERGY/SPACE We’ll jump right in and go over the Aussie's exercise requirements because they are as demanding as you would expect from high-caliber herding dog. The Aussie has a high-moderate to a just plain high energy level, which is, of course, higher until they reach maturity. Once they are fully grown they are still high achieving canines that need a job to do. They aren't going to exercise themselves since they are quite bonded to their family, which means you'll need to spend at least 2 to 3 hours a day working off their mental and physical energy. This can be a huge commitment for first time canine leaders and one that is often underestimated. It may seem like no big deal, or a good reason to you exercising more too but keep in mind that this is a year round and all weather commitment. Be really honest with yourself and keep an objective view when considering what kind of help and commitment your family is willing to make as well.  TRAINABILITY/INTELLIGENCE You're probably aware that the Aussie is a sturdy medium size breed with impressive herding instincts and is quite intelligent. But did you know that intelligence goes both ways? Sure, it can make them easy to train, but they can also train you just as easily if you're not experienced with working-class canines. Your Aussie may refuse to eat one night, so you add something different to make it more appetizing, and they happily eat it. The next night, same story, and on, and on until you're cooking a whole dinner for them. I know it sounds silly now, but I promise things like that happen far more often than you think with this breed.  FAMILY/SOCIAL You might be considering an Aussie because they are can be excellent family watchdogs both in instinct and fearlessness. And while they are wonderful watchdogs, their instincts and energy can put them at risk in everyday situations. People who are afraid of dogs, or even just not comfortable around them, can set their instincts on edge and they are known to nip when not incredibly well socialized. They also tend to herd playing children which can cause them to fall, or just be startled when their Aussie nips their heels. You should absolutely not consider bringing an Aussie, or any similarly high energy breed, into your home as a first-time canine leader. I don't say this to be dramatic, but it's a sad fact that so many beautiful canines, Aussie’s and others, end up in shelters because they require more time and training than their family could give them. AFFECTION/INDEPENDENCE Aussie's are laser focused on their primary person and very aware of everyone else in the home as well. Their families affectionately call them Velcro dogs, because they are literally touching their person most of the time. Moving from room to room, sitting on the couch, in bed, and anywhere else you go, they'll be as close as they can get. It's easy for boundaries to blur when their affection melts your heart, but their devotion and willingness to please are satisfied best when they know what's acceptable and what isn't. Another massive consideration with this breed is their affection because it means they won't be happy being outside only or if their family is gone for most of the day. They can be prone to boredom and will destroy even the toughest kennels if they aren't thoroughly exercised multiple times a day. It's not a requirement, but Aussie's do best when someone is home at least several times a day. WRAP UP To say it plainly, Aussies are NOT a great fit for first-time owners. They might not even be a good choice for experienced owners if they haven't developed the skills to be the calm, consistent canine leader this breed demands. There are many wonderful breeds out there that are better suited to inexperienced owners, and jumping right in with such a demanding and energetic breed like this is a recipe for disaster. No matter what breed you choose, or your experience level, seriously consider your lifestyle and how happy the canine you choose will be with it. 

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The Australian Shepherd and the German Shorthaired Pointer are both incredibly popular breeds. They have a number of similarities and differences but which would be better for you? Today we compare the 2 breeds.

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When buying a Australian Shepherd puppy you should think about more than just the initial cost. Owning a dog can be very expensive so you should always think about the ongoing costs. Today I break down the overall cost of a Australian Shepherd.

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FACT 1 Let’s dive right into the 1st amazing fact. The Aussie, despite their intense working drive and demand for a job to do, they are very affectionate with their family. Aussie owners will marvel at their loving nature and high working drive. They typically are wonderful dogs in homes with older children, but can do well in homes with younger children as well. The breed is wary of strangers so they must be well socialized and have a leader that is calm and consistent. They are prone to nipping and herding children which is why they need to be well socialized and have those instincts directed elsewhere. They might be the perfect canine to play fetch with and teach all kinds of impressive tricks to so they will thrive with children who take an active role in working with them. FACT 2 This brings us nicely to fact number two. They are very high energy and incredibly smart, which you probably knew already. It’s not a huge surprise since the Aussie is a world-renowned herding and trick canine that carries out a huge array of agility, livestock, and entertainment work. But did you know they can also make exceptional service canines? The same traits that qualify them for the intense work of herding large livestock are what makes them so adept as emotional support and service canines in the home. They bond closely with their family and are incredibly affectionate to the point where they seem Velcroed to their people. Yet another trait that allows them to excel in service work for those with disabilities. FACT 3 Diving into the 3rd fact you may not know, the amazing Australian Shepherd isn’t Australian at all! The breed was actually developed in the Pyrenees Mountains in Europe by the Basque people who were primarily sheep herders. They set out for the plains of Australia in the early 1800’s with their canines and during that time, bred in some English stock (like the Border Collie). After a short stay there, the Basque again moved to the fertile promised land of California in the early 1900s. Upon landing in the US, local cowboys and ranchers fell in love with the quick and intelligent little herding dog with such striking coloring. Since they’d most recently come from Australia, the locals gave the breed it’s neither creative or accurate modern name; the Australian Shepherd. They are still a fixture in modern day cowboy life on working ranches and at rodeos. FACT 4 Sliding right into fact number four, the Aussie is a born people pleaser when they have a calm, consistent canine leader and it makes them an excellent choice for canine sports. They are extremely intelligent and do best with an experienced leader who can spend a lot of time with them. Through this and their high energy nature, Aussies are willing to learn almost anything that gives them a job to do. They are very athletic and have a laser focus on the job they are doing. Pair that with their razor sharp intelligence and drive to please and you’ve got one serious competitor on your hands.  FACT 5 Bringing it home to fact number five, Aussies can be exceptional with children. They aren’t considered a guardian breed but they have surprisingly deep rooted guarding instincts that extend to everyone in the home, including new babies. This can make them ideal companions as they and the child grow up together, but they’ll need to be well socialized to everyday situations, like friends coming over. They are playful and very at ease with their family but can have either an aloof or very friendly presence when other people are around. Their high energy does mean they’ll want to run and play as the child grows so it’s important to teach both canine and child what to expect from the other and the proper behavior.