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 to 23 inches, females
18 to 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 percent 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 ascissors bite or may meet in a level bite. Disqualifications - Undershot. Overshot greater than ⅛ 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. Body - 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 ⅛ 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