Aussie Activity and Shedding

by Lisa_NL
(Canada)

I have read so much material on the Aussies that it can get rather overwhelming! I thought I would come here to pose my two general questions to actual Aussie owners.

I work 9-5 with an hour for lunch, which I go home everyday to grab a bite. I have read over and over that Aussies do not fair well when left alone for long periods; my question is how long is considered too long? I take lunch at 12 and would come home to take the dog out for a fetch session or something in the backyard before going back to work until 5. Is this too long? On evenings, we'd go for a walk and I'd like to get into Flyball on the weekends.

My other question is on shedding. Some resources I read state they are high level shedders and other sites claim they're medium. Which is more correct? I grew up with a German Shepherd cross so I am used to about medium shedding. I don't mind brushing about 3-5 times per week but I would like to know if it's so unmanageable that hair is even going to end up in the butter (as one source stated)! Thanks so much for any tips or insight you can share!