Cinnamon (Cindi)

Australian Shepherds are a beautiful breed with merle coats, high energy, and and an obsession with being close to their families. These dogs are wonderful family companions, but be prepared to keep them active and occupied to avoid having a sad, destructive Aussie. Full-grown, they typically weigh 40-65 pounds and stand 18-23 inches tall.

Australian Shepherds are generally excellent with children of all ages. Australian Shepherds are great companion for kids and other pets, especially if they’re socialized as puppies. These dogs can be happy in warm or cool climates, but they need plenty of space to run and play and should have their primary living space indoors. They're moderate barkers — they'll alert you when something's up but aren't excessive.

Aussies need a lot of high-energy activities and mental stimulation to keep them happy. They’re the perfect exercise buddies, especially for families that like being outdoors. Take your Australian Shepherd for a run, hike, or a long play session in a big backyard to keep their hearts soaring and their minds sharp. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

The Australian Shepherd has a dense undercoat and outer coat with medium to long hair that’s straight or slightly wavy. Aussies’ fur is short and soft on their head and legs, with a thick mane around the neck. These dogs can be black, red, red merle (dark patches on a light background), or blue merle, and some may have white markings or tan points too. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Australian Shepherds are best suited for a home with a yard, though they can adapt to apartment life with enough exercise. These dogs can be happy in warm or cool climates, but they need plenty of space to run and play and should have their primary living space indoors. They are highly trainable and eager to learn.

From Finland, Lapponian Herder or Lapinporokoiras were originally used to herd reindeer. These dogs are hard workers and need daily exercise. On the other hand, they also make excellent family companions and gentle playmates for children. Kids will have a lot of fun teaching their Lapponian Herder new tricks, as these dogs are very smart and quick learners. Full-grown, they typically weigh 60-70 pounds and stand 18-20 inches tall.

Lapinporokoira (Lapponian Herder)s are generally okay with older children who know how to handle dogs. Lapponian Herder are very aware of children and have a special patience for these young, innocent little people. These dogs need activity and do best with families who like activity too. They're fairly vocal dogs that bark regularly.

Lapponian Herders have a lot of energy and a lot of brains. In addition to working on a farm, they love to play and learn new tricks. They are a natural in herding trials, but you can also try their paw at activities like agility, obedience, and flyball. Overall, their exercise needs are very high.

Lapponian Herder have a dark double coat that looks best with a weekly brushing. Their fur is usually thicker and bulkier around their neck, so it is important to pay close attention to that area. It is also weatherproof, and bathing too often can strip the coat of naturally protective oils. Grooming-wise, this breed is low-maintenance.

Lapinporokoira (Lapponian Herder)s are best suited for a rural property or home with a large yard. Their even-keeled disposition doesn’t mean you will see them moseying around the house, though. These herders are used to roaming for miles and miles, but they will also happily romp around a large backyard with you. They are fairly easy to train.