clipping their hair?

Question
hello there.  i am considering getting an Australian shepherd again.  I haven't had one in 5 years and back then i lived with my parents who didn't mind dog hair.  I live with roommates now and wanted to find out about grooming Aussies.  My roommates are not into having a long haired dog bc they shed a lot.  Is that a myth?  Do long haired dogs shed more than short haired dogs or is it just that the hair is longer?  Would getting the dog's hair clipped/shaved shorter (not tooooo short, but to maybe a couple inches) help the dog shed less?  Or would it not make any difference at all? Obviously brushing the dog a couple days will help.  If I did cut its hair, how often would I need to cut it (how fast does it grow) to maintain less shedding?  I live somewhere where it doesn't get very hot or very cold, so I am not concerned about the dog necessarily needing the fur.

thanks!

Answer
An Aussie's coat should never be shaved - you'll ruin the coat, and it will never look the same!  Aussies have a wash and wear coat that needs minimal but regular care, and your dog does not have to be a nuisance to others.  Dogs with long coats shed, and dogs with short coats shed, too.  You are correct that it's only because the hair is longer that people might notice it more, but if it were me, I'd rather have the soft Aussie hair to deal with than those prickly hound hairs, or the greasy Lab hairs.  The only light shedders are dogs with hair coats, such as Poodles, Portuguese Water Dogs, Yorkies, etc.  You can keep your Aussie brushed, and that will help immensely.  Also, take the dog for regular groomings about every two to three months, so that the undercoat will be shed out properly.  My Aussie mix is a heavy shedder, so I take her more often, but my stockdog type Aussie has a very moderate coat, and is wash 'n' wear.  Of course, the show types with the heavier coats are easier to live with from a behavioral perspective, since most are not so herdy-guardy.  Maybe you can find a rescue Aussie that has a nice disposition and a lighter coat, rather than getting a pup.