Australian Shepherd

Size
Medium (11kg - 27kg)
Training
Weekly
Grooming
As needed

Breeder List

Breeder - Mrs Deidre Masters (MAHTEEK)

goldcountry01@bigpond.com
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Breeder - Mr Tom KARA (MAPPHIRE)

tk702021@hotmail.com
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History

Contrary to their name, the Australian Shepherd, as a breed, was developed in America, but their early ancestors can be traced back to the late 1800’s and early 1900’s, where it is believed that the Basque shepherds arrived from Australia with large bands of sheep and with them, their ‘little blue dogs with bob tails’.

The Australian Shepherd Club of America was established in 1957, but the breed was not officially recognised by the American Kennel Club until 1991. Australian Shepherds were reintroduced into Australia in 1990, when the Ford family emigrated from England. On the 1st January 1994 the Australian Shepherd was officially recognised by the Australian National Kennel Council and it is now one of the largest breeds in the working dog group.

Appearance

Australian Shepherds are a medium sized breed with the preferred height for females ranging between 45.5 - 53.5cm and for males 51 - 58.5cm, however quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size.

Everything about the Aussie is to be ‘moderate’ including their double coat. Acceptable colours are Blue Merle, Black, Red Merle and Red. With the addition of white or copper/tan trim the solid colours are known as Bi coloured, and with the addition of both white and Copper/Tan trim they are known as Tri coloured. Most Aussies only need grooming on a weekly basis, but this will most likely increase at times of seasonal shedding.

Eyes are almond shaped and colour can be brown, blue, amber or any combination thereof. Aussies can be found with two eyes of the same colour, each of a different colour, or a mixture or marbling of colours within each eye. Ears are triangular in shape and have lift, creating the proper attentiveness. Intelligent, alert and eager with a keen expression, often referred to as the ‘look of eagles’.

A naturally bobbed tail is an identifying breed characteristic, often appearing anywhere from a very short bob all the way through to a full length tail.

Characteristics

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. He is loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. The variety and individuality in colour are unique to the breed.

Temperament

Australian Shepherds are intelligent and active dogs with a good disposition and strong herding and guarding instincts. They can be reserved with strangers but should never be aggressive or fearful and should be well socialised as young pups to ensure a happy, well balanced, adult dog. Aussies make wonderful family dogs and are good with children and other pets.

Health

The Australian Shepherd is generally a very healthy breed and most live to between 12-15 years, but of course there are always exceptions to the rule. Most breeders do extensive health testing to ensure the breed remains as healthy as possible for generations to come.

Some of the main concerns in Aussies are Hereditary Cataracts (HSF4) and all owners need to be aware of the sensitivities of the Multi Drug Resistance (MDR1) mutation. Hip and Elbow scoring is widely conducted, the breed average is 9, which continues to gradually lower. Extensive research is being conducted through the Australian Shepherd Health and Genetics Institute in the US, which helps breeders monitor and assess for where and what they need to be health testing. The Institute also offer guidance for those that do not currently have tests available.

Suitability

While the Australian Shepherd is a working breed and loves nothing more than to be given a job to do, they are still able to settle into normal suburban life. Most Aussies need mental stimulation and if both their physical and mental needs are met, they can be a wonderful family addition. If their needs are not met, they can be destructive like any breed. Of course, there is the odd couch potato for the more laid back family, however a good breeder will have a good idea of drive levels of each pup, which can vary within a litter.

Aussies make excellent dog sport candidates and with their high intelligence and willingness to please, are extremely fast learners. Aussies excel in Obedience, Rally O, Agility, Flyball, Dancing with Dogs and of course most are found to be excellent in the herding arena, should they be given the opportunity to do what they were actually bred for. In fact, there is not much an Aussie can’t do.

Words: Karen Milinkovic on behalf of the Australian Shepherd Association NSW Inc
Photo: Cabal Canine Candids

In Conclusion

Now you know a little about the Australian Shepherd you may have think that this is the dog for you. Before you make a decision, please make contact with the breed club or your State controlling body for purebred dogs. They will be able to give you information about available puppies and also suggest dog shows where you can see the breed and speak to breeders. In this way you will gain a better perspective of the Australian Shepherd and its needs and whether this breed would suit your lifestyle.

Official breed standard as recognized by Dogs NSW (Last Updated: 14 Sep 2011)

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A breed standard is the guideline which describes the ideal characteristics, temperament, and appearance of a breed and ensures that the breed is fit for function with soundness essential. Breeders and judges should at all times be mindful of features which could be detrimental in any way to the health, welfare or soundness of this breed.

General Appearance

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

Characteristics

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.

Temperament

The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition, he is good natured, seldom quarrelsome. They may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Faults: Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely penalised. American Kennel Club

Physical Standards

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 complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissor bite or may meet in a level bite.Disqualification: Undershot. Overshot greater than .3 cm (1/8 in).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 dew claws 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 not 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 dew claws must be removed.
Feet	Front & Hind: Are oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Tail	Docked: Docked tail is straight, not to exceed four inches in length.Undocked: Set on following the line of the croup. Of moderate length, not kinked. In overall balance with the rest of the dog. Moderately featheredBobbed: May be naturally bobbed. Is straight, not to exceed four inches 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.Disqualifications: White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters on all colours.
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 departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.SERIOUS FAULTSAny 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.DISQUALIFICATION FAULTSUndershot. Overshot greater than 0.3 cm (1/8 in)White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters on all colours.