Australian Shepherd
Working

Group:

Working

Size:

large

Lifespan:

12-15 years

Exercise:

very high

Grooming:

medium

Trainability:

very high

Watchdog ability:

very high

Protection ability:

high

Area of Origin:

United States

Date of Origin:

1800’s

Other Names:

none

Original Function:

sheep herding

History

The entire history of the Australian Shepherd is yet to be determined. The early formation of today's Aussie is credited to a people known as the Basques. They began to emigrate to Australia and to the United States with their sheep and dogs in the early 19th century from the Basque Mountains of Spain. As Australian wool became more in demand, Basques sheep herders emigrated from Australia to the western United States. Americans imported boatloads of Australian sheep in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, accompanied by their Basque shepherds and their dogs. It was at that time that the "little blue dogs" began to be noticed. The Basque dog adapted to the ruggedness of the western ranges. Over time, Basques' dogs were bred to other good working dogs of Australia and the United States, and they continued to reproduce true to their type. Because the dogs accompanied their Basque herdsmen from Australia, they came to be known as Australian Shepherds, even though they were bred in America.

Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, clever and devoted dog breed who is eager to please and easy to train. Affectionate and active, the Australian Shepherd makes an excellent children's companion.

Upkeep

This breed needs a good workout every day, preferably combining both physical and mental challenges. Even though it is physically able to live outside in temperate climates, it is a breed for which human contact is so vital that it is emotionally unsuited for a life in the yard. Its coat needs brushing or combing one to two times weekly.

Official Breed Standard

GENERAL APPEARANCE:
The Australian Shepherd is well balanced, slightly longer than tall of medium size and bone, with colouring that offers variety and individuality. The Australian Shepherd is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without cloddiness. The Australian Shepherd has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. The Australian Shepherd has a docked or natural bobbed tail.

CHARACTERISTICS:
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. The Australian Shepherd is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. The Australian Shepherd is an active dog with an even disposition, good-natured and seldom quarrelsome. They may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings.

Country of Development:
United States of America.

Head and Skull:
The head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. The muzzle is equal in length or slightly shorter than the back skull. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip.

Skull:
Top flat to slightly domed, it may show a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal. Moderate well-defined stop. Muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip.

Nose:
Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). On the merles it is permissible to have small pink spots, however they should not exceed 25% of the nose on dogs over one year of age which is a serious fault.

Eyes:
Are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. Almond shaped, not protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on eye rims. The red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on eye rims.

Expression:
Showing attentiveness and intelligence, alert and eager. Gaze should be keen but friendly.

Ears:
Are triangular of moderate size and leather, set high on the head. At full attention they break forward and over, or to the side as a rose ear. Prick ears and hanging ears are severe faults.

Mouth:
Teeth - A full compliment of strong white teeth should meet in a scissor bite or may meet in a level bite.
Loss of contact caused by short centre incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall not be judged undershot. Teeth broken or missing by accident shall not be penalised.

Neck:
Is strong of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders.

Forequarters:
Shoulders: Shoulder blades are long, flat, fairly close set at the withers and well laid back. 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, on a perpendicular to the ground.

Legs:
Straight and strong. Bone is strong, oval rather than round. Pasterns are medium length and very slightly sloped. Front dewclaws may be removed.

Body:
Topline: Back is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. The croup is moderately sloped. Chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow. The ribs are well sprung and long, neither barrel chested nor slab-sided. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up.

Hindquarters:
The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The hocks (rear pasterns) are short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Rear dewclaws must be removed.

Feet:
Front & Hind: Are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.

Tail:
Is straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed 10 cm (4 ins) in length.

Gait/Movement:
The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. He exhibits great agility of movement with a well-balanced, ground-covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the centre line of the body. As speed increases, the feet (front and rear) converge towards the centre line of gravity of the dog, while the back remains firm and level. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter gait instantly.

Coat:
Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the hockjoints. Backs of forelegs and britches are moderately feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.

Colour:
Blue merle, black, red merle, red _ all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of preference. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. 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. White on the head should not predominate and the eyes must be fully surrounded by colour and pigment. Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age.

Size:
The preferred height for males is 51-58.5 cm (20-23 ins) and females 45.5-53.5 cm (18-21 ins). Quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size.

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.

Substance:
Solidly built with moderate bone. Structure in the male reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of bone.

Faults:
Any display of shyness, fear or aggression to be severely penalised. Pink spots on nose in dogs over one year of age, which exceed 25% of nose. Prick ears; hanging ears. Non-typical coats. Undershot. Overshot greater than 0.3 cm (1/8in). White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters on all colours.

Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.