Bred, born, and raised in Idaho.
River Run Australian Shepherds strives to breed healthy, happy, and versatile dogs. We want them to be your beginner sport dog, your active companion, or your helping hand around the ranch. We aim to produce dogs with good temperaments who are eager to learn and work. With proper socialization and training throughout the puppy’s life, they will have the potential to become your new “go anywhere, do anything” dog. All of our puppies will be raised with Puppy Culture protocols and be exposed to Early Neurological Stimulation and Early Scent Introduction. By following these programs, our puppies will go home with a good foundation in early socialization to help them succeed as they grow up.
Although we are a new and small breeding program, all of our dogs will have OFA hips, OFA elbows, and yearly OFA eye exams performed as well as a PennHIP evaluation and a full panel genetic test completed before breeding. We strive to provide new owners with some knowledge of their puppy’s health background and are firm believers that parent health testing is one way we can do this.
In addition to parent health tests, all of our puppies will be placed on a deworming schedule, have a health clearance from a veterinarian, and receive their first round of vaccinations before going home. We will also be keeping the tails on all of our puppies.
What should you know about the Australian Shepherd?
Australian Shepherds were originally bred to be herding dogs for livestock. This breed is not typically equipped for the “easy” lifestyle that we sometimes see owners expecting in their dogs. They are not a good fit for sedentary individuals or families. Nor are they a good fit for someone who expects their dog to be content living alone in the backyard with little to no social interactions. Aussies are highly intelligent, social, and love to learn! Australian Shepherds have a strong desire to please and they enjoy learning new things. They require regular physical and mental exercise to meet their needs and keep them happy. Australian Shepherds make excellent sport dogs, adventure companions, herding dogs, trail runners, search and rescue dogs, frisbee chasers, and more!
Australian Shepherds are a medium size breed that can range from 40-55lbs for females and 50-65lbs for males. They can have longer or shorter length coats and while they never stop shedding, they will drop their coats heavily in the spring and fall. The Aussie coat is called a “double coat” and is designed to keep them warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Because of the double coat, this breed should never be shaved. Shaving an Australian Shepherd can cause the coat to never grow back the same. It can also damage the dog’s ability to regulate their temperature and put them at risk for sunburns or other skin irritations.
The Australian Shepherd is also known for their guardian or watchdog instincts. It is not uncommon for an Australian Shepherd to be wary of strangers near their homes and family members. They may alert bark to unknown individuals, but if they are trained and socialized properly, they should not be aggressive or shy with strangers. They are not always overly friendly and may take time to open up with newcomers.
If you bring home an Australian Shepherd, you can expect a loyal, loving, eager to please, and happy companion. You can expect them to test their limits with training and to voice their opinions. Some Aussies are vocal and will grumble, growl, bark, sigh, and “a-woo” when they are happy or playing. Australian Shepherds form strong bonds with their owners and will love you unconditionally. Aussies have a goofy and funny side to their independent and headstrong nature. They love to play with their humans and are eager to learn new things. An Australian Shepherd will work until the task is done. They will hike with you for miles, run alongside your bike, or zoom through an agility course before curling up to watch a movie when the day is done. If you are an active individual or family and are ready to bring home a “velcro dog” that will bring endless joy into your life, then this breed might be for you!
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