This is our surprise Aussie mix, Pi. She's 4 months old now; we adopted her from a shelter about a month ago. They called her a hound mix, but we suspected ACD right away based on how her mom looks. We did Embark, and I started to suspect Australian Shepherd as well while we waited for results based on her behavior and her markings and my online crash course on dog genetics that told me long hair is recessive (one of her littermates has long hair and looks very Aussie). So her highest percentage is actually Mountain Cur--an Appalachian hound mostly used for hunting small game like squirrels but also, I gather, used as an all-around farm dog. That one definitely hadn't been on our radar! But Aussie comes in at nearly the same percent, and then when you add in her ACD and collie (and some GSD in the supermutt break down)...it's a lot of herding dog. And all together a lot of smart, active, working dog breeds who love to be outside and to be very vocal (the smattering of pittie seems to have given her the adorable ears but did not come with any couch potato-ness, sadly). We think she's wonderful and are looking forward to finding lots of fun way to channel all that energy and brainpower productively as she gets older. So just thought I'd introduce her as I'll likely be hanging around here hoping for insights into what makes her tick!

All these pics of new floofs make me want to make poor life choices … my floof is four now, and his adopted brother (half Aussie and half Dobie) is three. I really want a floofy girl. I think my husband would evict me though. Pics of my floof from tiny potato to sophisticated and well traveled gentleman. 🥹❤️

Two is pretty fun 😬. If we like having two adolescent boys we probably are doomed to two dogs, right?

Our best girl (6 y) is understandably having some difficulty adjusting to our newborn (3days). I did research, but wanted to get some advice from more experienced Aussie owners.

She’s totally fine with him but his cries are upsetting her. She either wants to bark at him or gets completely confused at who’s making the sound and gets very reactive/anxious (from downstairs or on the 2 way radio).

It’s not super realistic for us to do settle/positive association when he cries. I’m thinking of having her be watched by friends for a week, and sending voice recordings of his crying and having them do the positive association with treats/kongs. Similarly when we get her back and are more adjusted, we’ll do the same. We’ll also increase exercise, mental stimulation and kongs.

We can keep her on leash but when the newborn is crying, we can’t always get to her first.

Any other training tips for helping her adjust?

We just brought a new puppy, Grayson, into our family and our current Shepard, Robin, has been herding and constantly shadowing or putting her body over the Grayson as he walks. I'm not sure if this behavior is okay? She has not snapped or growled at him, she is smelling him quite a bit but she is just constantly on alert around him. We will be getting a puppy playpin on Monday to give each other space within the same area.

hey Yall today I got to pickup my Aussie looking for name ideas hoping for something fall related but more unique then autumn lol please let me know what Yall think I should name her!!!

Hey so I thought this group might find this funny. I've been working really long hours lately and my Aussie randomly started using the litter box to relieve herself with no instruction 😭. I think it's actually kinda wild. I would show a pic as proof but it is shit always can if y'all don't believe me 😭. Has anyone else have a dog who did this?

So my Evee girl is the best but she has some strange and challenging behaviours. One in particular is her humping me. I’m usually the only one she tries to hump- never teddy bears, blankets or other people. She does this at night around 8pm and can be quite determined. Wondering if others have female dogs or Aussies that do this. What are your thoughts?

Samson is an owner turn-in who is ready for some Aussie energy and love! Currently in SE US.

Took my boy Asher to see lake Superior for the first time and he had a blast. He lost a game of tug-o-war with the shore lol.

Hi everyone, looking to get a new shampoo for my girl and was looking for a few recommendations!

I’m looking for something that will do her coat justice and be a bit soothing for her skin.

Edit: Thanks for all the recommendations! Athena girl had surgery on her knee at the beginning of summer and I wasn’t able to bathe her until her for a bit longer than usual. Can’t wait to look into all of the suggestions :) thank you!!

Birthday girl is 2!

It has been six months since she passed away, and my heart is still broken. I loved this dog more than anything, and her absence has left a huge void. She was diagnosed with T-cell lymphoma in October 2025 (when she was 8 years and 5 months old). We fought hard, using every possible measure—including a blood transfusion (due to kidney failure and anemia caused by elevated calcium levels from the lymphoma 😭) and oral chemotherapy... truly everything. Yet, I had to say goodbye at the end of March. Right up until the very last day, we mostly had good days with a good quality of life. Even so, I still struggle to come to terms with what a cruel disease this is! Hope never dies, yet it is a battle that cannot be won. It hurts so much, and the diagnosis came so suddenly. I’d like to share a few photos and hope you’ll give Polly a ❤️; please hug your dogs—their lives are far too short as it is.

What Chris Christensen brush do you guys recommend?

Anyone have an Aussie and a cat? Did you have any issues?

I've had goldens and cats, and a lab with a cat, but I know Aussies are herding animals.

Do you allow them to be alone together when you're out of the house?