A tribute to a Dog named Winter

Aussie shepherd mix is a great outdoors dog. I have had both heelers and shepherds, heelers are pretty damn intense but great dogs, shepherds IMHO are a little mellower and in tune with their humans, a bit easier to turn of the herding drive if engaged otherwise (hiking, mt biking, chasing snowboarders, etc) and not as aggressive towards others and their flocks (including kids). I've had a 60 lb rott aussie shepherd mix in Greenwater, Brooklyn, Seattle and now Bainbridge and he is a great dog. Deals equally well with elks and hood rats, sticks close, happy to guard the front door from squirrels.

If you are concerned about keeping it active and engaged and hence well behaved, I'd suggest a mutt showing the shepherd clearly. Lab, rott, or ?. Some coke with the whiskey, if you will. Cola.

Hahahahah! Yeah,probably right! Seems like the best of all 3 worlds, dog-wise. Love the "chasing snowboarders...sorry my snowboarding friends,,,good doggie!! Definitely, the Shepherd-mix is a favorite!

I am sorry for your loss. My dog is a husky/lab mix. Great mountain dog! I agree with Scotsman that husky's can tend to stray at their own leisure. Fortunately the lab mix means she loves water too.

It did take a couple years after rescuing her to get her to come when I called, or simply stay nearby once off leash. But having a mixed breed seems to be less prone to ailments such as hip problems, tumors etc.

Good luck on your search for another mountain companion, they are by far the best!

I am sorry for your loss. My dog is a husky/lab mix. Great mountain dog! I agree with Scotsman that husky's can tend to stray at their own leisure. Fortunately the lab mix means she loves water too.

It did take a couple years after rescuing her to get her to come when I called, or simply stay nearby once off leash. But having a mixed breed seems to be less prone to ailments such as hip problems, tumors etc.

Good luck on your search for another mountain companion, they are by far the best!

Thanks Lisa. Nice pictures!!! You have a very beautiful dog! Good job rescuing her! I will look into that sort of mix, as I have not seen one like her...looks like a great combination for snow and water!

To the OP, I'm sorry for your loss.

Can anyone out there weigh in on having an Australian Sheperd - or other working dog - as an all-around outdoor companion?

AlpineRose, we have two miniature Aussie's.
They are about 18" at the withers and roughly 30lbs.
Our girl is 12, the boy is going to turn 7.

Amazing little athletes, I've trained them to trail ride and have mountain biked with them all over Washington state, some of the rides I would call epic (50 + miles). Their trail sense is uncanny, I used to need to give them commands, however over time they have more or less figured it out and require less and less input. Things like keeping to the right, and moving over when the trail starts to descend. Rides that I take them both on are getting shorter an mellower to keep our girl healthy. Our boy on the other hand is just finding his place with it (he really likes to jump) and has developed into quite the "freeride" dog, he will go out of his way to leap off or gap anything in his way.

BTW, their coats are amazing and a curse. I've had both come off the trail covered in mud, only to have them jump into their beds in the back of the rig, and emerge completely clean as the stuff just seems to shed right off as they dry. On the other hand, when they start to blow their coats (this seems to happen twice a year for us) we take them to the groomer otherwise the vacuum is in for a work out. They shed like crazy, you have to stay on top of it to not have dog hair everywhere.

They are great hiking companions and have hiked just about every corner of the pass with them. We've also found that they are great around wildlife, as they wont chase and in most cases will not bark either. On the other hand, they are also often times a good indicator that we aren't alone while hiking in the forest, helping to make us aware in the presence of other critters. Anyone hiking up to Snow Lake in the non-snow months has probably seen them at one point or another as this is a regular walk/trail run for them.

Ski touring is a slightly different matter however.
They are herding dogs by nature, something the girl takes pretty seriously so it drives her nuts that I would make a dozen turns going from point a to point b, when I could just as easily go straight. As a result, we've been to the vet twice over a 6 year period for minor lacerations to her front legs (one on each side) because she got too close. Needless to say we don't tour with her any more. The boy on the other hand is weary of skis and stays back about 15 feet. He's been a perfect Spring ski partner for us.

Generally speaking they are extremely loyal, intelligent, high energy, and get along really well together. Something I consider to be a breed characteristic as they are working dogs, they are always working, so not as mellow as some other breads. At the dog park or lot 4 at Alpy, if they aren't being kept busy doing something else, they will want to herd the other dogs around to try and control the party.
While I have met some mellow Aussies, it seems to be more of an exception.

Feel free to PM me if you any specific questions I can answer.

For what it's worth, I've been incredibly fortunate with a Shepard/Malamute/touch of Lab mix, according to the $30 "Wisdom" DNA test from Amazon.com. Mixed breed shelter dog. Seems to have the intelligence of the Shepard, love of snow of the Malamute, and affection of a Lab. Loves to Mountain Bike in the summer, and tours in the Winter. I've only had Labs (love them) in the past, but their shoulders can't take the pounding of mountain biking over extended periods. This dog is Summit, and hopefully he will meet many of you this Winter. I know Summit met Rusty Knees, and his dog last Winter at Hyak, as did I and my son, thank you.

Brittany's love the snow too...