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Australian Shepherd
General Appearance
Well balanced, length slightly greater than height. Medium size, solid and muscular. Various colours. Expression alert, keen and friendly.
| Below | Average | Above | Key | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood to wander | ||||
| Protectiveness | ||||
| Destructiveness | ||||
| Quietness | ||||
| Good with children | ||||
| Affinity to other dogs | ||||
| Size |  |
|||
| Lifespan | |
Below: < 10 years Average: > 10 years Above: > 15 years |
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| Location | |
Below: Town only Average: Town and Country Above: Country only |
Characteristics
Intelligent, strong herding and guarding instincts. Great stamina, loyal, attentive, animated, lithe, agile; able to change speed and direction instantly.
Temperament
Even disposition. May show initial reserve, never shy or aggressive.
Head and Skull
In proportion to body. Clean cut. Dry. Muzzle equal to, or a little shorter than length of skull. Skull of equal length and width with slight dome. Occiput may be apparent. From side, top of muzzle and skull on parallel planes. Moderate, well defined stop. Muzzle tapers slightly toward nose, ending in rounded tip. Nose: In blue merles and blacks - black; in red merles and reds - liver/brown. Merles may have small pink spots
Eyes
Brown, blue or amber, or combination including flecks and marbling. Oval shaped, of moderate size, neither protruding nor sunken. Eye rims: blue merles and blacks - black; in red merles and reds - liver/brown.
Ears
Triangular; of moderate size and thickness, set high. Breaking forward or to side when attracted.
Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated.
Neck
Moderate length, strong, slightly arched; fitting smoothly into shoulders.
Forequarters
Shoulder blades long and flat, well laid back, set close at withers. Upper arms of comparable length. Legs straight from all sides, with strong oval bone. Medium length, slightly sloping pasterns.
Body
Strong, with firm level topline. Croup moderately sloping. Chest deep, of moderate width, with brisket reaching to elbow. Ribs well sprung and long. Underline shows moderate tuck-up.
Hindquarters
Same width as forequarters. Corresponding angulation of pelvis and upper thighs to scapulae and upper arms. Well defined stifles, moderate angle of hock joints. Hocks well let down, perpendicular to ground and parallel when viewed from rear.
Feet
Oval. Closely set, well arched toes; thick pads.
Tail
Previously customarily docked or may be naturally bobbed. Docked: Straight, docked to no more than 10 cms (4ins) length. Undocked: Set low following line of croup. Of moderate length. Never curled or carried over back. Well feathered. In overall balance with the rest of the dog.
Gait
Agile, smooth, free and easy, with good forward reach. Fore-and hindlegs move straight and parallel but may converge at speed.
Coat
Medium length and texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant with undercoat. Short hair on head, ears front of forelegs and below hock joints. Back of legs moderately feathered. Moderate mane, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.
Colour
Blue merle, black, red merle, red, all with or without tan points. May have white as follows: white collar no further back than point of withers at skin. White on neck as full or part collar, chest, muzzle, underparts, moderate blaze. Coloured coat surrounding pigmented eyerims.
Size
Dogs: 51-58 cms (20-23 inches). Bitches: 46-53 cms (18-21 inches).
Excercise Requirements
Considerable
Grooming Needs
Moderate
Notes
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
