An Australian Sheepdog rescue can be one of the best places to find one of these remarkable animals. But one needs to carefully consider if this is the type of dog you are looking for, for while they may be very intelligent they are also possessed of a considerable amount of energy, and they need a goodly amount of your time if they are to remain healthy and happy. If you have decided that one of these dogs is right for you, going to a proper Aussies rescue can have different benefits over just buying one.

There are many groups dedicated to helping you adopt an Australian Shepherd, but rescue groups can sometimes be your best choice. Typically not-for-profit, rescue groups are usually comprised of a very dedicated and knowledgeable group of people that will be more than happy to help you find the right dog. One of their core tasks is ensuring that the dogs that they adopt out find the right homes. To this effect, there will be questions that you will need to answer, and likely an application form. This will help the rescue group figure out which dog is right for you, allowing them to begin immediately looking to place a dog in your home. Now sometimes a dog might not be available right away, there could be a month's wait or more, but the chances are good that the wait will be worth it, as the dog they have found will be best suited for your home and lifestyle. The rescue group will have received their wards for any number of reasons, from families that could no longer keep them to picking up some from local pounds and shelters. One of the benefits of a rescue group is that they do not allow vicious or aggressive dogs, meaning that the dogs you find there are going to be safe to take home. It is not always common but they will sometimes have an Aussie mix of some sort, though most likely they will stick to purebreds. These groups operate on a first come first serve basis, but of paramount importance are making sure that the dogs find a good home.

A point touched upon briefly, but which needs to be addressed a little further, is determining if this is the type of dog for you. These are intelligent and adaptive animals, yes, and they are quick and eager to learn. They are also possessed of a considerable amount of energy, and you need to be able to start training the first day it comes into your house. You need to help curb its natural herding tendencies and to do that you need to place yourself out as the dominant head of the household. Any bad habits need to be trained out sooner rather than later, as actions taken by a puppy may be cute, but are considerably less so when the dog has reached full maturity.

Time will also have to be taken to socialise the dog early. The breed is by nature a protective one, and without proper socialisation they will be wary of strangers. So again, this will require more of your time to ensure that the Aussie adjusts properly to other people.
With all that Australian Sheepdogs have to offer, adopting one can be the correct choice for anyone.
About the Author

Sam Longstrum is an avid dog lover and enthusiast. For more great information about Australian Sheepdog Rescue or Australian Sheepdogs in General visit AustralianShepherdInfo.com