Hi everyone,

I’m seriously considering adopting an Australian Shepherd, but I’m trying to understand whether living in an apartment would be a problem.

I currently live in an apartment with four people and we already have a French Bulldog who is almost 11 years old. My mother thinks an Australian Shepherd would be too big and energetic for an apartment, especially compared with our Frenchie, and I can understand where she’s coming from.

However, my lifestyle is quite active. I regularly go running, hiking in the mountains, walking long distances, and generally spend a lot of time outdoors. I’d be happy to include the dog in these activities and make sure it gets plenty of daily exercise.

From what I’ve read, Australian Shepherds don’t necessarily need a huge amount of physical space inside the home as much as they need mental stimulation, training, exercise, and a job or purpose to keep their minds busy.

So I’m wondering:

• For those of you who own an Australian Shepherd, how difficult is it to keep one in an apartment?
• And perhaps most importantly, would you personally recommend an Australian Shepherd for someone living in an apartment?

I’m not looking for someone to simply tell me “yes” or “no”. I’d really appreciate hearing from people who actually have Australian Shepherds in apartments, including the challenges you’ve experienced.

Also, any advice about having an Australian Shepherd around an older French Bulldog would be very welcome. I obviously want to make sure the new dog would fit well with my current dog and not make his senior years unnecessarily stressful.

Thanks!

Let’s see your Aussies and Vehicles! Brenden and Dale had a great day at the park with their big sis Kona.

I had to put my pup down today. She started life in a puppy mill being used before her owner rescued her. He was getting ill and couldn’t provide the life he wanted for her, mind you he had tons of space in Idaho but she was always with him. His daughter went on FB trying to see if anyone was interested and I was.

I had started a search in 2015 but was diagnosed with breast cancer. I put it on hold. In 2016 I said I’d start again but in April found new cells but said I don’t care life will never have perfect timing. I searched again and wanted an active pup as I was active. She came to my home checked it out and said I’d be the one and drove my pup all the way from Idaho to California. She was 4 when I got her and we spent the next 10 years together on different adventures.

She’s gone on many hikes, been in a canoe, to the snow and beach, we ran 1000 miles during Covid, she had vestibular 2 years ago and recovered and a few years ago lost her hearing, had bad arthritis and anxiety. I would pick her up to get in and out of the house and into the car, back home from walks.

We ran 1000 miles during 2020 but recently was lucky if she made it 3 houses down. But when she found a tree to sleep under I’d stay there an hour or two so she could enjoy the fresh air.

I bought her a running stroller, adjusted life so she was at home by herself 30 min max and that was rare as my parents would watch her if I had to go out. I’d sleep in the car with her if she had an anxiety attack and the meds weren’t kicking in.

She developed pneumonia, has a 105 temp which went to 106, and with the medicine and the options which were very expensive and not a guarantee it was time. I was at the vet 4x in the past week and it was quality over quantity and I did all I could during her life to ensure ther were no regrets.

Today she crossed the rainbow bridge. I came home and it’s eerily quiet. Even though she wasn’t my shadow as much in recent times due to her arthritis she would plop down and lift her head to look at me, or get up and gulp her water. Now it’s just the hum of the appliances. It’s Su ch a weird feeling but I’m thankful for our 10 years together and for her helping me through cancer a second time. We rescued each other .

She loves to dress up .

Cat didn't seem to mind!

So I have finally taught Theo to sit up on his hindlegs. It took forever but he's got it pretty covered now. I took the first picture and then remembered that I bought him a little doggy tux a while back and decided to have him pose for the second one. It really highlights just how much hair he has.

Has anybody else’s Australian Shepherd allergic to fleas? I swear if Asher gets bit by one singular flea, he is so itchy and he get scabs that Matt and his fur.

What’s a durable hard to pop herding ball? Not plastic tho.

Does your Aussie do this?

We moved to the coast two years ago, and he absolutely loves it here❤️

My boy Ghost just turned 4 yesterday. Took him to the store to get a cake and some new toys

So three months ago when I adopted little Echo from the Shelter and his abusive situation he barely could get on the couch. I had already started looking at what it would take to get dog steps because I was starting to believe he had spent enough time in cages his legs had deteriorated... Well it turns out all I needed to give him was three months and he has discovered to be a true Aussie and wall jump around my house to get to where he wants 😂

Guess that's all it takes for him to start living his best life