Having moderately long coats, the Aussie needs to be groomed at least once a week to prevent any mats and tangles forming and to keep their skin in good condition. Like other dogs, they shed more during the Spring and then again in the Autumn when more frequent brushing is usually necessary to keep on top of things.
When it comes to bathing, Aussies only need to be bathed a couple of times a year or when it is really necessary. It's important to use a dog specific shampoo or it could trigger a skin allergy flaring up. Over-bathing a dog can have a negative impact on the condition of their skin and coats, stripping all the natural oils out which can lead to dry and flaky skin and once this happens, it can result in sore developing which make a dog’s life very uncomfortable and it opens the door to an infection flaring up.
Aussies are high energy dogs that need to be given a ton of exercise every day. They also need lots of mental stimulation on a daily basis for them to be truly happy, well-rounded characters. The saying a "tired dog is a happy dog", is never truer than when talking about an Australian Shepherd. In short, these dogs are never happier than when they are given a "job" to do and would be extremely unhappy dogs if they are left to their own devices for long periods of time.
Australian Shepherds are renowned for their herding abilities and therefore they excel at canine sporting activities like competitive obedience, agility and Flyball to name but three. When these dogs are not given the right amount of daily exercise it can result in them becoming destructive around the house and they also turn into nervous characters with some dogs becoming unstable too. The Australian Shepherd is definitely not a good choice for first time owners or for people who lead more sedentary lives for these reasons.
Australian Shepherds are not known to the fussy of finicky eaters. However, this does not mean they can be fed a lower quality diet. They are high energy characters that like to be kept busy and as such they really do benefit from being fed a home-made natural diet that contains the right levels of proteins and other valuable nutrients this dog needs to remain healthy.
If you get an Aussie puppy from a breeder, they would give you a feeding schedule and it's important to stick to the same routine, feeding the same type of puppy food to avoid any tummy upsets. You can change a puppy's diet, but this needs to be done very gradually always making sure they don't develop any digestive upsets in the process and if they do, it's best to put them back on their original diet and to discuss things with the vet before attempting to change their diet again.
