BREED & TEMPERAMENT

Color

The Australian Shepherd comes in four acceptable colors: black, blue merle (a marbling of gray and black), red (ranging from light cinnamon to liver), and red merle (marbling of red and silver or buff). A variety of white and tan markings may appear on the face, chest, front and rear legs. The outer coat is of moderate length, with a texture that is straight to wavy and weather resistant. The undercoat is soft and dense, and the amount varies with climate. Tails are naturally bobbed or docked. Ears are moderately sized, and break forward and over, or the side as rose ears. Males weigh approximately 50 to 65 pounds, measuring from 20 to 23 inches, and females weigh about 40 to 55 pounds, measuring from 18 to 21 inches.

The eyes of the Australian Shepherd are perhaps one of his most commented on features because of the variety of colors. They may be any color or combination of colors from glassy blue, amber, hazel, to all shades of brown.

Black Tri Australian Shepherd
Black is one of the basic coat colors in Aussies. They may also have white markings on faces, chests, legs, and under parts. Copper points are also commonly seen on the face and legs. Aussie may be solid black, black and white (black bicolor), or black, copper and white (black tricolor or black tri). Black Aussies usually have brown colored eyes, although they may occasionally have one or both eyes that are blue.

Blue Merle Australian Shepherd
Blue merle is a striking color which is made up of black spots of various sizes on a gray background. The shades of gray can range from light silver to dark smoke, and the black spots can be small specks to very large patches, creating a wide variety of interesting combinations. Blue merle Aussies may also have white markings on faces, chests, legs, and under parts. Copper points are also commonly seen on the face and legs. Aussies may be solid blue merle, blue merle and white, or blue merle, copper and white. Blue merle Aussies frequently have one or both eyes that are blue, or partially blue with marbling or flecks of blue and brown.

Red Tri Australian Shepherd
Red tri Aussies can range in color from light cinnamon to dark liver red. They may also have white markings on their faces, chests, legs, and under parts. Copper points are also commonly seen on the face and legs. An Aussie may be solid red, red and white (red bicolor), or red, copper and white (red tricolor or red tri). Red Aussies usually have amber colored eyes, although they may occasionally have one or both eyes that are blue.

Red Merle Australian Shepherd
Red merle is a combination of red patches or spots on a background that can range from buff to silver. Just as the background color can vary, so can the color and size of the areas of solid red, which can be light cinnamon to dark liver red. Spots can be small speckles to patches that cover large areas of the dog. Red merles may also have white markings on faces, chests, legs, and under parts. Copper points are also commonly seen on the face and legs. Aussies may be solid red merle, red merle and white, or red merle, copper and white. Red merle Aussies often have one or both eyes that are blue, or partially blue, with marbling and flecks in amber eyes.