Australian Shepherd Breed Standards

HISTORICAL SURVEY

While there are many theories as to the origin of the Australian Shepherd, the breed as we know it today developed exclusively in the United States. The Australian Shepherd was given its name because of the association with Basque Sheepherders who came to the United States from Australia in the 1800's. The Australian Shepherd’s popularity rose steadily with the boom of western horseback riding after World War II, which became known to the general public via
rodeos, horse shows, movies and television shows. Their inherent versatile and trainable personality made them assets to American farms and ranches. The American stockman continued the development of the breed, maintaining its versatility, keen intelligence, strong herding instincts, and eye-catching appearance that originally won their admiration. Although each individual is unique in colour and markings, all Australian Shepherds show an unsurpassed devotion to their families. Their main attributes have guaranteed the Australian Shepherd’s continued popularity.

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.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS

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.

BEHAVIOUR/CHARACTER

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. With an even disposition, he is good natured, seldom quarrelsome. He may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely penalised.

HEAD

The head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body.

Cranial region

Skull: Top flat to slightly domed. It may show a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal.
Stop: Moderate, well defined.

Facial region

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 (1) year of age, which is a serious fault.
Muzzle: 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.
Teeth: A full complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite.
Eyes: 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: 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.

NECK

Strong, of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders.

BODY

Topline: Back straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints.
Croup: Moderately sloping.
Chest: Not broad but deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow.
Ribs: Well sprung and long, neither barrel chested nor slab-sided.
Underline and Belly: Shows a moderate tuck-up.

TAIL

Straight, naturally long or naturally short. When docked (in countries where this practice is not forbidden), or naturally short not to exceed (10 cm).

LIMBS

Forequarters

Shoulders: Shoulder blades 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, perpendicular to the ground.
Legs: Straight and strong. Bone strong, oval rather than round.
Pastern: Medium length and very slightly sloping. Front dewclaws may be removed.
Feet: Oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads thick and resilient.

Hindquarters

General appearance: 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.
Stifle: Clearly defined.
Hock Joints: Moderately bent.
Hocks: Short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Rear dewclaws must be removed.
Feet: Oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads thick and resilient.

GAIT

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 toward 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 : 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 hocks. Backs of forelegs and breeches 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 (4) inches (10 cm), 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

Height at the Withers: The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches (51-58 cm), females 18-21 inches (46-53 cm). Quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size.

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.

ELIMINATING FAULTS

• Aggressive or overly shy
• Undershot or overshot. 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.
• White body splashes in all colours, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters.
Any dog clearly showing physical or behavioural abnormalities shall be disqualified.

NOTE

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