Happy Australia Day! In honour of this day of beaches, BBQs, Aussie flags and thongs* I’m very proud to bring to you a Breed Profile on one of the most gorgeous breeds whose name shares my heritage – the Australian Shepherd.

* no, not those thongs – it’s the Aussie word for flip-flops!

{Australian Shepherd Images Courtesy of Holly Birch Photography}

Despite their name, the Australian Shepherd did not actually originate in Australia. No one really knows where they originated, but considering they are so adorable does it really matter? When I think of this breed I think their multicoloured coats say it all – beautiful, heart warming and a little bit crazy. If you’re after a dog that will lie at your feet all day this one isn’t for you. But if you want an easily trained dynamo this little rippa may be your perfect match.

FLUFFY WRAP UP
Grooming Whilst still being quite fluffy, the Aussie Shepherd’s multicoloured dream coat only requires brushing once or twice a week to prevent matting.
Exercise This dog will not be interested in watching day long Gilmore Girls marathons. Slightly larger than my other favourite, the Border Collie, these dogs also have strong herding and guarding skills. They are perfect candidates for agility training and need at least 30 minutes of exercise per day.
Temperament Give them an active lifestyle and these warm-hearted dogs will give you back loyalty, love and laughs in spades. Great for fun loving, fit and healthy families.
Space Requirements A one room bedsit is not enough for this breed. A substantial home with a large yard is preferable so they can zip around the lawn when the mood strikes.

Luckily the Australian Shepherd has a low dump rate and doesn’t feature heavily in rescue shelters. If they sound like a great breed for you check with Pet Rescue or your local shelter first to see if you can offer an Aussie a home.

Confession time. One – I LOVE Border Collies. Two – when I got my Border Collie, Soda, I was 21 years old and had NO IDEA what I was getting myself into.

You see Border Collies make excellent companions. They are smart – you know the dog that learnt over 1000 words? A Border Collie. They also have oodles of energy, a charming and affectionate nature… and to top it all off – a fluffy coat. In my eyes they really are the perfect dog. But as I said, the 21 year old me had to learn very quickly that for all of the wonderful attributes a Border Collie possesses they require a devoted owner who is willing to give as much as they take from their family pooch. In other words I had to go from being a shoe-obsessed couch potato to someone who got up at 6am to take my puppy for a run. Was it worth it? You Bet.

Now for a happy BC I’m not talking about moving to Scotland so your dog can herd sheep for the rest of their days but I am talking about daily exercise, lots of educational toys, and bucket loads of attention. Anything you give to a Border Collie you get back ten fold so make it count and you’ll be loved for the rest of your days.

FLUFFY WRAP UP
Grooming For long haired Border Collies you need to be prepared to brush them daily. Some shorter haired pups can get away with less (i.e. once a week), but Soda’s nickname isn’t Fluffy for nothing! It’s also a good idea to invest in a good quality vaccuum cleaner and lint brush for a bit of shedding around the house.
Exercise This is where Border Collie’s shine. Devote at least an hour or two each day to your pooch – walking, backyard fetch, off leash runs, frisbee, flyball, hide and seek, pats and games….the list is endless but the aim is the same: to keep your dog’s mind and body active.
Temperament Sweet natured and cuddly, Border Collies make excellent companions for people who have the time to devote to them – best with couples, singles or older families. Toddlers just remind them waaaay too much of sheep, and as you can imagine young kids being herded up by a big dog usually ends in tears.
Space Requirements Needs a medium/large space, and adequate areas for fetching and herding games. A big backyard for a Border Collie is nothing without someone to share it with.

Love the idea of a Border Collie? Try your local shelters or your nearby Border Collie Rescue. To get started here are some beautiful boys and girls at Border Collie Rescue that are looking for homes.

I am a big believer in choosing the right dog for your lifestyle. There is nothing more gorgeous than seeing a happy dog with a happy owner. And while training, time and patience can go a long way, you can definitely give yourself a headstart by choosing a breed that fits into your lifestyle. So rather than rabbiting on at you with a bunch of information that you can find on any dog website or in any encyclopaedia I’m going to show you what I believe to be the essence of each breed with the hope that if you’re wanting to know more about a certain breed of fluffy you can find a good start here.

I’ve chosen the Golden Retriever as my first breed because well…they’re just adorable. Seriously, I don’t know if there’s any other breed that makes the transition from puppy to old-age with this amount of cuteness.

If I had to sum up the Golden Retriever in two words it would be “Apple Pie” because they are just as sweet and familiar. These dogs are known for being kind and trusting – their golden personalities matching their beautiful coats. They are known for being great with their owners, children and other pets. But on the flip side they are definitely not one to sit around all day. They enjoy being active and need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to keep their bodies and intelligent minds happy.
If you want a fluffy that’s sweet, caring, active and eager to please this could just be your breed.

FLUFFY WRAP UP
Grooming Medium. A good twice/thrice weekly brushing should suffice, but with their long coat be prepared for a bit of shedding around the house. Click here for tips to help you with that!
Exercise Needs a good walk twice a day and/or some off leash opportunities such a playing fetch or doggie frisbee to keep their mind and body active. Don’t let them fool you with their adorable smiles – these guys are super intelligent and enjoy learning new things as well as lots of playtime.
Temperament A great family dog with a sweet demeanor. Can be over-friendly as a puppy, but good training and socialisation helps keep them in check. And really, if over-friendliness is your biggest problem? You know you’re onto a winner.
Space Requirements Loves a medium/large space to explore and romp around in.

Do you think a Golden Retriever would make a great addition to your home? Try your local shelters or your local Golden Retriever Rescue. Here are some gorgeous girls and boys who are currently looking for good homes at Golden Retriever Rescue Inc. to get you started.