Australian Shepherd (Aussie) Appreciation Thread!!!!!!

[PhillipJ]

Needed some advice and thought I'd ask here.
I have an ASDR pedigreed Miniature Australian shepherd, right now he's 35 weeks and almost 12lbs (max projection is 16lbs but I'm doubtful he'll get that big) and he's got a lovely disposition, he's incredibly intelligent, people pleasing, attached, and appropriately prey driven (good with animals, lots of work drive) with a sportsy build. He's going to be agility trained and I'm thinking he'll also do dock diving. My question is should I fix him?
I'm not really interested in being a large scale dog breeder but if my male is proven and healthy with good conformation I'd like to have a litter from him. Mainly I'm worried that leaving him intact will have a negative effect on his already perfect personality, but I'm also not too sure about fixing him because I've had very nice intact males before who were not any different than a fixed male and I think it's better for them to be left intact if it won't be a risk. Just curious about your experiences, are male Aussies very bad when they're intact?

 

[Squawkers]

Needed some advice and thought I'd ask here.
I have an ASDR pedigreed Miniature Australian shepherd, right now he's 35 weeks and almost 12lbs (max projection is 16lbs but I'm doubtful he'll get that big) and he's got a lovely disposition, he's incredibly intelligent, people pleasing, attached, and appropriately prey driven (good with animals, lots of work drive) with a sportsy build. He's going to be agility trained and I'm thinking he'll also do dock diving. My question is should I fix him?
I'm not really interested in being a large scale dog breeder but if my male is proven and healthy with good conformation I'd like to have a litter from him. Mainly I'm worried that leaving him intact will have a negative effect on his already perfect personality, but I'm also not too sure about fixing him because I've had very nice intact males before who were not any different than a fixed male and I think it's better for them to be left intact if it won't be a risk. Just curious about your experiences, are male Aussies very bad when they're intact?

I don’t have an Aussie, so just speaking on dogs in general. It seems that neutered males can be less intense, easier to manage, and less likely to get distracted. But, especially if you are going to compete, I like the drive of intact dogs. I see no problem with leaving him intact (and many would argue it is better for their health) but if you are going to breed him, please make sure he passes all health checks. We don’t need anymore unhealthy dogs

 

[Squawkers]

It also is not uncommon for dogs to get worse or develop new behavior issues after neutering. It really upsets hormone levels. I would just be careful though, the thing that scares me the most about having an intact male is that if they where in a backyard and smell a female in heat, their determination is enough to break out of even some of the most secure yards. Just something to keep in mind. I have heard many stories of males breaking out and getting hit by a car or lost.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Needed some advice and thought I'd ask here.
I have an ASDR pedigreed Miniature Australian shepherd, right now he's 35 weeks and almost 12lbs (max projection is 16lbs but I'm doubtful he'll get that big) and he's got a lovely disposition, he's incredibly intelligent, people pleasing, attached, and appropriately prey driven (good with animals, lots of work drive) with a sportsy build. He's going to be agility trained and I'm thinking he'll also do dock diving. My question is should I fix him?
I'm not really interested in being a large scale dog breeder but if my male is proven and healthy with good conformation I'd like to have a litter from him. Mainly I'm worried that leaving him intact will have a negative effect on his already perfect personality, but I'm also not too sure about fixing him because I've had very nice intact males before who were not any different than a fixed male and I think it's better for them to be left intact if it won't be a risk. Just curious about your experiences, are male Aussies very bad when they're intact?

Why do you want to breed?
Do his parents have proper health testing(hips,elbows,eyes,cardiac)?
Will you be testing him for those things? Which then you have to do preliminary exams and after 24 months do the actual OFA exams by a certified professional.


My boy who isnt a aussie but will be 3 in November and is intact. We also have a female who is intact and just seperate when in heat. Our vet and trainer didnt recommend neutering even though he is reactive. But he isnt bad. And in my opinion especially with the UC Davis studies its better to keep them intact.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

It also is not uncommon for dogs to get worse or develop new behavior issues after neutering. It really upsets hormone levels. I would just be careful though, the thing that scares me the most about having an intact male is that if they where in a backyard and smell a female in heat, their determination is enough to break out of even some of the most secure yards. Just something to keep in mind. I have heard many stories of males breaking out and getting hit by a car or lost.

Actually i have found that very different. Our neighbors before me moved had a female golden who went into heat. And Tucker barely noticed. He did sniff the air a bit when she was outside but never tried to escape and didnt whine.
He does whine when Denver is in heat but they are seperated

 

[PhillipJ]

I don’t have an Aussie, so just speaking on dogs in general. It seems that neutered males can be less intense, easier to manage, and less likely to get distracted. But, especially if you are going to compete, I like the drive of intact dogs. I see no problem with leaving him intact

That's good to know

(and many would argue it is better for their health)

I would be one of those, I only neuter in cases where energy and aggression are out of hand. Even in those cases I feel like I failed in training though. I've just never kept an intact Aussie before and I love him as he is.

but if you are going to breed him, please make sure he passes all health checks. We don’t need anymore unhealthy dogs

Oh absolutely. I hate losing dogs prematurely to health complications or seeing their quality of life go down and I wouldn't want to propagate those issues. I think the health panels are a good investment, especially since I would want to keep one of his babies.

 

[Squawkers]

Actually i have found that very different. Our neighbors before me moved had a female golden who went into heat. And Tucker barely noticed. He did sniff the air a bit when she was outside but never tried to escape and didnt whine.
He does whine when Denver is in heat but they are seperated

Yeah, I’ve heard it affects different dogs differently. Chase is the same, but I have heard MANY stories of other males loosing their minds.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

That's good to know

I would be one of those, I only neuter in cases where energy and aggression are out of hand. Even in those cases I feel like I failed in training though. I've just never kept an intact Aussie before and I love him as he is.

Oh absolutely. I hate losing dogs prematurely to health complications or seeing their quality of life go down and I wouldn't want to propagate those issues. I think the health panels are a good investment, especially since I would want to keep one of his babies.

I would like to state health panels like embark are great but arent all the health testing you need. Breeding costs a ton even when you just have a stud.

 

[Ilovemychicks08]

Yeah, I’ve heard it affects different dogs differently. Chase is the same, but I have heard MANY stories of other males loosing their minds.

I know i saw something that someone had 2 intact cane corsos and the male broke out of his kennel then ripped through a door to get to the female, which i believe was outside with the owner.
Some go extreme miles.

 

[Squawkers]

I know i saw something that someone had 2 intact cane corsos and the male broke out of his kennel then ripped through a door to get to the female, which i believe was outside with the owner.
Some go extreme miles.

Yeah, it’s crazy!!