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Physical Characteristics of the Australian Shepherd

(from the American Kennel Club breed standard)

Head: Clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. Skull top flat to slightly domed. Length and width are equal.

Eyes: Brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. Almond shaped.

Nose: Red merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips).

Teeth: A full complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite.

Muzzle: Equal in length or slightly shorter than the back skull. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip.

Chest: Not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow.

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. Pastern is medium length and very slightly sloped.

Feet: Oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes.

Ears: 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.

Neck: Strong, of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders.

Color: Blue merle, black, red merle, red—all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of preference.

Back: Straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints.

Tail: Straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four inches in length.

Coat: Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The undercoat varies in quantity with variations in climate.

Hindquarters: The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. 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.

Size: The preferred height for males is 20–23 inches, females 18–21 inches.