AKC Standard: Australian
Shepherd
Animated, adaptable and agile, the Australian
Shepherd lives for his job, which still involves
herding livestock and working as an all-purpose farm
and ranch dog. He needs a lot of activity and a
sense of purpose to be truly content. Today, due to
the breed’s intelligence and versatility, “Aussies”
also excel in AKC events such as agility, obedience
and herding. Their coats can be black, blue merle,
red merle and red with or without white markings.
A Look Back
There are many theories about the origin of the
Australian Shepherd. Despite its misleading name,
the breed as we know it today probably developed in
the Pyrenees Mountains somewhere between Spain and
France. It was called the Australian Shepherd
because of its association with Basque shepherds who
came to America from Australia in the 1800s. The
Australian Shepherd was initially called by many
names, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog,
Bob-Tail, Blue Heeler, New Mexican Shepherd, and
California Shepherd.
Right Breed for You?
An energetic breed with strong herding and guarding
instincts, the Aussie requires daily vigorous
exercise. Although sometimes reserved with
strangers, they are “people” dogs that want to
always be near their families. Their thick coats
require weekly brushing.
If you are considering purchasing an
Australian Shepherd puppy,
learn more here.
- Herding Group; AKC recognized in 1991.
- Ranging in size from 18 to 23 inches tall at
the shoulder.
- Sheep herder; farm dog.
© The American Kennel Club, Inc.
Australian Shepherd Breed
Standard
General Appearance
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. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall,
of medium size and bone, with coloring 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.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The preferred height for males is
20-23 inches, females 18-21 inches. Quality is not
to be sacrificed in favor 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.
Head
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. Expression --Showing
attentiveness and intelligence, alert and eager.
Gaze should be keen but friendly. 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. 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. 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. Teeth--A full
complement of strong white teeth should meet in a
scissors bite or may meet in a level bite.
Disqualifications--Undershot. Overshot greater
than 1/8 inch. Loss of contact caused by short
center incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall
not be judged undershot. Teeth broken or missing by
accident shall not be penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is strong, of moderate length,
slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the
shoulders. 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. Tail is straight,
docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four
inches in length.
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, perpendicular to the
ground. Legs straight and strong. Bone is
strong, oval rather than round. Pastern is
medium length and very slightly sloped. Front
dewclaws may be removed. Feet are oval,
compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are
thick and resilient.
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 are short, perpendicular to the ground and
parallel to each other when viewed from the rear.
Rear dewclaws must be removed. Feet are
oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes.
Pads are thick and resilient.
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 hocks. 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.
Color
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 color 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 in
all colors.
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 center line
of the body. As speed increases, the feet (front and
rear) converge toward the center 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.
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active
dog with an even disposition; he is good natured,
seldom quarrelsome. He may be somewhat reserved in
initial meetings. Faults Any display of
shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely
penalized.
Disqualifications
Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch.
White body splashes, which means white on body
between withers and tail, on sides between elbows
and back of hindquarters in all colors.
Approved May 14, 1991
Effective January 1, 1993
