Characteristics
The Australian Shepherd is a medium size dog recognized by the AKC and ASCA. There are also miniature and toy sized Aussies but they are not recognized by the ASCA or AKC. These smaller sizes are know as North American Shepherds, North American Miniature Australian Shepherd or Toy Australian Shepherds.
They are a well-balanced, robust dog. They are usually slightly longer than they are tall. Males average between 20-23 inches (52-58 cm) to the withers and 50-65 pounds (25-29kg). Females are usually smaller than males. They average between 18-21 inches (46-53cm) to the withers and 40-55 pounds (18-25kg).
The Aussie is well recognized because of their docked tail. Some are naturally born with this (called bobtail) and others have their tails docked a few days after birth. There is no medical reason for docking the tail. It is just a preference for looks. They have triangular shaped ears set high on the head with rounded tips.
Australian Shepherds have a medium length coat that is straight to slightly wavy. The undercoat is usually soft but dense. They come in a multiple of colours categorized as merle or non-merle . Merles are either red or blue. The non-merles have a base colour of black or red often with white and tan markings on their legs, face and/or chest.
Aussie's have beautiful eyes. They can be blue, amber, hazel, brown or a combination (i.e. having one blue and one brown eye). They can also have flecks or marbling in their eyes (i.e. brown eye with a fleck of blue in it). Blue eyes are often (but not always) seen in the merle coat Aussie.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years.
They are a well-balanced, robust dog. They are usually slightly longer than they are tall. Males average between 20-23 inches (52-58 cm) to the withers and 50-65 pounds (25-29kg). Females are usually smaller than males. They average between 18-21 inches (46-53cm) to the withers and 40-55 pounds (18-25kg).
The Aussie is well recognized because of their docked tail. Some are naturally born with this (called bobtail) and others have their tails docked a few days after birth. There is no medical reason for docking the tail. It is just a preference for looks. They have triangular shaped ears set high on the head with rounded tips.
Australian Shepherds have a medium length coat that is straight to slightly wavy. The undercoat is usually soft but dense. They come in a multiple of colours categorized as merle or non-merle . Merles are either red or blue. The non-merles have a base colour of black or red often with white and tan markings on their legs, face and/or chest.
Aussie's have beautiful eyes. They can be blue, amber, hazel, brown or a combination (i.e. having one blue and one brown eye). They can also have flecks or marbling in their eyes (i.e. brown eye with a fleck of blue in it). Blue eyes are often (but not always) seen in the merle coat Aussie.
Life Expectancy: 12-15 years.