Learn about which human foods are safe for dogs, and which are not. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. T… The Australian Shepherd is well balanced, slightly longer than tall of medium size and bone, with colouring that offers variety and individuality. Want to connect with other people who love the same breed as much as you do? He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. Pastern is medium length and very slightly sloped. He has a docked or natural bobbed tail. We use cookies to personalize content, provide shopping cart, social media features, and analyze our traffic. Structure in the male reflects masculinity without coarseness. All rights reserved. The Australian Shepherd is the AKC's 135th breed. Front dewclaws may be removed. Official Standard of the Australian Shepherd. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility.. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that . Aussies are generally healthy dogs, and a responsible breeder will test breeding stock for health concerns such as hip dysplasia, epilepsy, cataracts and certain forms of cancer. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. Suitability for Children Medium. As a working breed on farms and ranches, their tails were docked to avoid injury or to identify them as working stock. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. Working Coat vs Show Coat by: Life.With.Aussies People tend not to realize that there are 2 types of Australian Shepherd coats. Disqualifications – White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters in all colors. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. At full attention they break forward and over, or to the side as a rose ear. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. Teeth broken or missing by accident shall not be penalized. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter gait instantly. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate. United States Australian Shepherd Association. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. The Aussie’s world tour began in Europe, near the Pyrenees Mountains. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. General Appearance: The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts.He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle. The long hair grows around their faces, tails, ears, tummies, rear, and the back of their legs. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Recommended Health Tests from the National Breed Club: Read the Official Breed Club Health Statement. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. Breeds are grouped together because they share traits of form and function or a common heritage. Your Dog Deserves Nothing But the Best: Meet AKC Canine Retreat in Midtown West Manhattan, iy_2021; im_01; id_22; ih_04; imh_19; i_epoch:1611317967486, py_2021; pm_01; pd_11; ph_15; pmh_33; p_epoch:1610408033880, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Mon Jan 11 15:33:53 PST 2021; pn_epoch:1610408033880. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle. On the surface, Australian Shepherds are medium sized dogs with a medium length coat and pendant ears. Topline – Back is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. Nose – Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose (and lips). He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. White is acceptable on the neck (either in part or as a full collar), chest, legs, muzzle underparts, blaze on head and white extension from underpart up to four inches, measuring from a horizontal line at the elbow. The croup is moderately sloped. 3D Model. In short, this isn’t the pet for everyone. The red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on eye rims. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch. Teeth – A full complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite. Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The medium length coat can have either straight or wavy hair. Here are some areas that may call for extra trims as well as how to handle cutting your dog’s fur. Gaze should be keen but friendly. I have had 4 Aussies and their coats varied as far as thickness,and length. Non-typical coats are severe faults. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. © 2020 United States Australian Shepherd Association. It has a medium-length coat that you most often find in blue or red merle or red and black tricolor – both with white and/or tan markings. It can range from straight to wavy but should be moderate in length. Fortunately, that loyalty combined with the breed’s keen intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train. During their long sojourn in Australia, the Basque shepherd refined their dogs with judicious crosses to Australia’s British imports, Collies and Border Collies, among them. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. Proportion – Measuring from the breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall. However, feathering behind their legs is seen among all variations of the Australian Shepherd. The dogs which live in colder climates have heavier undercoats than those that live in warmer areas. offers variety and individuality in each specimen. Almond shaped, not protruding nor sunken. The head is clean cut, strong and dry. Description. Blue merle, black, red merle, red – all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of preference. Many are still happily herding in the American West, others earn their feed as rodeo performers, and still others of this exuberantly versatile breed work as therapy dogs, drug detectors, service dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs. Rear dewclaws must be removed. The Australian Shepherd, the cowboy’s herding dog of choice, is a medium-sized worker with a keen, penetrating gaze in the eye. By continuing to browse this site, you give consent for cookies to be used. During this period an undercoat rake can be used every two or three days to remove the abundant dead hair, followed by a cleanup with the wire brush. Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs with a solid build and low center of gravity. Australian Shepherd. As with all breeds, the Aussie‘s nails should be trimmed regularly. Substance – Solidly built with moderate bone. Always leave about 1⁄4 – 1⁄2 inch (0.64–1.27 cm) of your dog’s coat when you’re trimming it to protect its skin. Australian Shepherds do not have docked tails for cosmetic reasons. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Legs straight and strong. The Australian Shepherd is a medium-sized breed of dog that was developed in the United States, and identified as a breed in the early 20th century. Proportion – Measuring from the breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall. The Australian Shepherd’s coat is already built to protect him from both the heat and the cold. In fact this particular breed sheds his hair the entire year round, but you’ll notice that with the arrival of Spring, he sheds more as this is when he is losing his Winter coat. Legs straight and strong. The Australian Shepherd has medium-length coats that shed heavily, especially in the season change days. Rear dewclaws must be removed. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. The Miniature Australian Shepherd (North American Miniature Australian Shepherd) has a medium-length coat. Size – The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches, females 18-21 inches. Males generally are taller and heavier than females. He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. He exhibits great agility of movement with a well balanced, ground covering stride. Long Hair Length = Longer than 2 Inches. Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age. In all ways, they’re the picture of rugged and agile movers of stock. The medium-length, thick double coats do shed some (especially during the spring and fall), but the coats aren't known to tangle and/or mat much, so Mini Aussie grooming is actually pretty easy. During shedding season, though, more work will be required. The Australian Shepherd has a medium-length water-safe coat to keep him agreeable in downpour and day off. The upper arm, which should be relatively the same length as the shoulder blade, attaches at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. Substance – Solidly built with moderate bone. The muzzle is equal in length or slightly shorter than the back skull. He has a full or natural bobbed tail. Coat Color The breed standards state “All colors are strong, clear and rich. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. Which is typically a lot fluffier and the "typical" coat when you think of an Aussies. A typical Australian Shepherd weighs between 35-70 lb (16-32 kg) and has a lifespan of roughly 13-15 years. This strong work drive can make Aussies too much dog for a sedentary pet owner. The Australian Shepherd is a complex breed that comes from a long line of European herding dogs, including Collies and Border Collies. Tail is straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four inches in length. Method 3 Maintaining Your Dog’s Nails, Ears, and Teeth The United States Australian Shepherd Association has been the AKC Parent Club representing the Australian Shepherd since 1990. The Australian Shepherd is not registered in Australia as a native breed, although it has been registered by other registries since the 1950s. One had a full coat at about a year (my male) my 2 females about 2 years (keep in mind females will blow their coats when not spayed usually) however, my last female puppy just turned 2 years and her coat is just now becoming full and long. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of bone. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. The breed actually developed in the United States and its progenitors came from the Basque region of the Pyrenees, between Spain and France. The preceding forebears of the foundation dogs likely had several sources, but were primarily UK rural landrace herding collies of various types and/or regions. Topline – Back is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. Red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). They are about 18 to 23 inches in height, and weigh from about 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. Australian Shepherds have a low-maintenance coats. The Aussie's popularity boomed with Western culture and horse-riding after WWII and was often featured in rodeos, horse shows, movies, and TV. Aussies in cool atmospheres have a heavier undercoat than the individuals who live in sunnier territories. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. But unless they’ve gotten into a particularly messy situation, they require a bath only occasionally. Aussies bond strongly to their families and so can be territorial and overprotective of their owners’ property, and they can become destructive if left without companionship for long periods too often. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size. The ribs are well sprung and long, neither barrel chested nor slab-sided. Once an Aussie leaves puppyhood behind, and his skeletal system is fully formed, he can make a great running companion. A Australian Shepherd Beagle can take after either parent. White on the head should not predominate, and the eyes must be fully surrounded by color and pigment. It may show a slight occipital protuberance. We performed high-resolution analysis of the SINE insertion lengths in 175 dogs (99 Australian shepherds, 45 miniature Australian shepherds, and 31 miniature American shepherds) and compared the genotypes with the coat phenotypes (when available). AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. Unfortunately, some well-meaning Aussie owners opt to shave their dogs to keep them cool in the summer and to help alleviate shedding and matting. Treats can be an important aid in training, but giving too many can cause obesity. Australian Shepherd dogs, in general, have very dense, thick, double-layer coats that need a lot of work. With his medium length coat, the Australian Shepherd sheds. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up. GENERAL APPEARANCE The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog, no matter whether Standard, Miniature or toy.. Neck, Topline, Body: shoulders. The croup is moderately sloped. Aussies live about 10 to 12 years. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. Eventually, many Basques, with their faithful shepherd dogs in tow, sailed east to try their luck on the virgin Australian continent, a wide-open paradise for sheep herders. Fixtures on the rodeo circuit, they are closely associated with the cowboy life. Their coats can also be a mix of grey, white, caramel, or black. As well as the Australian Shepherd having a moderate length coat, it also has an undercoat. Miniature Australian Shepherd Coat Care Overall, Miniature Australian Shepherd grooming doesn't take a lot of work. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. Bone is strong, oval rather than round. The hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Disqualifications – Undershot. The Australian Shepherd, a lean, tough ranch dog, is one of those “only in America” stories: a European breed perfected in California by way of Australia. Australian shepherd colors and patterns can vary greatly, but the United States Australian Shepherd Association recognizes these four major categories: black, red, red merle, and blue merle (merle being the genetic pattern that occurs in a dog’s coat, … The best course, however, is to give the Aussie a job, whether that is herding livestock, shepherding children, or competing in canine events such as obedience, herding or agility trials, or dock diving. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. This breed is highly intelligent and known for having a sort-of sixth sense about what its owner is thinking. They have an upright squared stance and a deep chest. There really isn’t much trimming needed to maintain a beautiful coat for your Australian Shepherd. The hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Pads are thick and resilient. The coat varies from straight to slightly wavy. The Australian Shepherd Club of America standard describes the coat over the head, the backs of the ears, the front of the forelegs and below the joint of the rear legs as being “smooth” or short. The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. Some dogs are prone to getting overweight, so watch your dog’s calorie consumption and weight level. Slightly longer than he is tall, the Australian Shepherd stands 20 to 23 inches tall at the shoulder for males, 18 to 21 inches for females. Any diet should be appropriate to the dog’s age (puppy, adult, or senior). Bone is strong, oval rather than round. Muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. Ears are triangular, of moderate size and leather, set high on the head. Pads are thick and resilient. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip. With the Australian Shepherd, the coat is considered to be moderate to medium length; however, it may vary from dog to dog as well as where the fur is on the body. Approved May 14, 1991 Aussies live about 10 to 12 years. Body – Chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow. Aussies are remarkably intelligent, quite capable of hoodwinking an unsuspecting novice owner. It comes in blue or red merle, red or black tricolor, all with white and/or tan markings. Aussies often work and/or play outdoors, so it’s not unusual for them to come in dirtier than they left. The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition; he is good natured, seldom quarrelsome. The blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on eye rims. One of the most frequent reasons Aussies end up in rescue situations is owners couldn’t (or wouldn’t) constructively channel the breed’s boundless energy through training. Hair is short and smooth on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate. He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. Loss of contact caused by short center incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall not be judged undershot. Aussies, further refined and perfected in America, have been an iconic part of cowboy culture ever since. Aussies bond closely with their owners and love to accompany them on long walks—or, better yet, hikes. The hair around the ears and eyes should not be white. Their hair can be wavy or straight, with smoother and shorter hairs on … He has a docked or natural bobbed tail. But if you’re looking for a brainy, tireless, and trainable partner for work or sport, your search might end here. 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