Help?

Question
Hi! OK so my family and I have been wanting to get a medium sized dog. So we were looking around and found an Australian Shepherd. But the problem is, is that dog that we saw had short hair! We loved it! So my question is, do these shepherds come in short haired? The puppy was about 8 months old. And one more thing; can these dogs swim, and do they like swimming, and we have land in the desert and we are worried that it will jump a 7 foot fence, will they?

Answer
You need to learn more about the breed before deciding, and in any case, I would not take an eight month old dog with short hair - it is likely a Catahoula mix or some other cross.  Aussies have medium "double" coats, which means they have longer guard hairs on top and a softer undercoat beneath.  Aussies can swim, but as with any breed not commonly associated with water work there are individuals that like the water, and individuals that dislike the water.  Aussies can jump quite high, but are unlikely to be able to make it over a 7 foot fence.  Aussies are not a dog that likes to live outdoors without it's human family near.  They are working dogs, true, but very affectionate with their families.  The difficulty is that they are sometimes not well suited for  life with families that don't have the means or knowledge to provide them enough exercise, the right kind of training, and a "job" to do.  It doesn't have to be herding cattle - Aussies excel at agility, obedience, tracking, canine freestyle, disc dog, and other sports.  If you are seeking an older pup, or adult dog, be sure it has been properly socialized and is friendly with unfamiliar people and dogs.  An under-socialized Aussie can be a nightmare...You may want to check with Australian Shepherd Rescue and Placement Helpline.  They have many Aussies looking for homes, and can give you important information on the temperament of the dogs, which should be your most important consideration with this breed.  For a description of the Aussie temperament and some additional information you may need:
http://www.lizpalika.com/rightdog.html
http://www.pinciecreek.com/aboutour.htm
http://www.ashgi.org/articles/gen_info.htm
If you do get an Aussie and are in a heartworm area, you may want to use Interceptor preventive, as some Aussies have the MDR1 mutation, which makes them susceptible to ivermectin toxicity.