INTRODUCTION

The Australian Sheepdog or Aussie is a dog as beautiful as he is tireless. Its origin is surprising because it is actually thousands of miles away from Australia.

This breed is a combination of wit, boundless energy and affection, wrapped up in an attractive physical appearance with extraordinary eyes.

THE ORIGIN OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEPDOG

Despite its name, the Australian Shepherd Dog did not originate in Australia, but was developed in the United States in the 19th century. This breed was created to meet the needs of ranchers and farmers, assisting in the tasks of herding and caring for livestock.

The ancestors of the Australian Sheepdog probably included dogs imported to America by European and Australian settlers, who brought with them their best working dogs, which eventually resulted in this exceptionally versatile and hardy breed.

THE STANDARD OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEPDOG

GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Australian Shepherd Dog is a well balanced dog, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and bone with a coat colour offering variety and individuality. He is attentive and lively, lithe and agile, solid and muscular without being coarse. His coat is of moderate length and slightly harsh. His tail should be docked or naturally short.

IMPORTANT PROPORTIONS: Taking into account the measurements from the sternum to the back of the thigh and from the withers to the ground, the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall.
He is solidly built with moderate bone structure. The male's body structure reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches are feminine in appearance without being light boned.

HEAD: The head is clean cut, strong and lean. Its overall size should be well proportioned to the body.

CRANIAL REGION:

CRANIAL: The upper part of the skull is flattened or slightly convex. There is a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal.

STOP: Moderate and well defined.

FACIAL REGION:

TRUFFLE: Blackbird blue and black specimens have a black pigmented nose (and lips). Blackbird red and red dogs have liver (brown) pigmented nose and lips. Blackbirds are allowed to have small pink patches; however, they must not exceed 25% of the surface of the nose in dogs over one year of age, which would be considered a serious fault.

HOCIO: Of the same length or slightly shorter than the skull. Seen from the side, the topline of the skull and muzzle form parallel planes, divided by a moderate but well defined stop. The muzzle tapers slightly from the base towards the nose and is rounded at the tip.

TEETH: A full set of strong white teeth should form a scissor bite or a pincer bite.

EYES: The eyes are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination of these colours, including mottled and marbled. They are almond-shaped, not protruding or sunken. Black and blue myrtle and black have black pigmentation on the eyelids. The blackbird red and red coats have liver (brown) pigmentation on the eyelids.

EXPRESSION: Attentive and intelligent, alert and enthusiastic. The gaze should be sharp but friendly.

EARS: Triangular, of moderate size and thickness, set high on the head. In attention they are folded forward and up or to the sides like rose ears. Erect or hanging ears are considered serious faults.

NECK: The neck is strong, of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, well set between the shoulders.

BODY:

UPPER LINE: The back is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hips.

Croup: Moderately sloping.

CHEST: Not broad, but deep so that the lowest point reaches to the elbow.

SQUARE: Well sprung and long, not barrel-chested or flat.

BOTTOM LINE : Moderately tucked up.

TAIL: Straight, naturally long or naturally short. When docked (in countries where this practice is not forbidden) or when naturally short, not more than 10 cm.

LIMBS

FOREQUARTERS:

Shoulders: Shoulder blades long, flat, close together at withers and well laid back.

ARMS: Should be relatively the same length as the shoulder blade, forming an approximate right angle to the shoulder, with the forelegs straight, perpendicular to the ground.

FOREARMS: Straight and strong. The bones are strong, oval rather than rounded in shape.

METACARPERS: Of medium length and slightly sloping. The front dewclaws should be removed.

HANDS: Oval, compact, with closely knit and well arched toes. Pads thick and strong.

HINDQUARTERS: The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the forelegs at shoulder level. The angulation of the pelvis to the thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right angle.

KNEES: Well defined.

HIPS: Short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from behind. No rear dewclaws.

FEET: Oval, compact, with toes closely knit and well arched. Pads are thick and strong.

GAIT / MOVEMENT: The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy movement. He exhibits great agility of movement with a well balanced stride which covers the ground well. The forelegs and hindquarters move straight and parallel with a central line of the body.
As speed increases, the feet (fore and hind) converge towards the dog's centre of gravity line, while the back remains firm and level. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter movement instantaneously.

COAT

HAIR: The coat is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The undercoat varies in quantity depending on variations in climate. The coat is short and soft on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks. The back of the forelegs and the ‘breeches’ are moderately feathered. They have a moderate mane and ruff, more pronounced in males than in females. Atypical coat is a serious fault.

COLOUR: Blackbird blue, black, blackbird red, red; all with or without white markings and/or tan markings, in no particular order. The white collar hairline must not extend beyond the point of the withers on the skin.
White on the neck (either partial or as a full collar), chest, limbs, underside of muzzle, a blaze on the head and a white extension from the lower region of 10 cm (4 inches) upwards measured from a horizontal line from the elbow is acceptable. The white on the head should not predominate and the eyes should be completely surrounded by colour and pigment. Blackbird specimens become characteristically darker with advancing age.

SIZE:

• Males are 51-58 cm (20-23 inches).
• Females are 46-53 cm (18-21 inches).

Quality should not be sacrificed in favour of size.

FAULTS: Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree and its effect upon the health and welfare of the dog.

SERIOUS FAULTS:

• Ears standing on end.
• Coat not typical.
  
  

DISQUALIFYING FAULTS:

• Aggressiveness or extreme shyness.
• Any dog showing clear signs of physical or behavioural abnormalities.
• Overshot. Underbite greater than 1/8 inch.
• Loss of contact caused by short central incisors in an otherwise correct bite should not be judged as undershot. Accidentally broken or missing teeth should not be penalized.
• Presence of white markings on the body, meaning white on the body between withers and tail, on the sides between the elbows and between the back of the hindquarters in all colours.
  
  

N.B.:

• Male dogs should have two apparently normal appearing testicles fully descended into the scrotum.
• Only functionally and clinically healthy dogs of typical breed conformation should be used for breeding.
  
  

HEALTH OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD DOG

The Australian Shepherd Dog is prone to some diseases in common with the Collie family, diseases which can be ruled out with the recommended pre-breeding health tests.

• COLLIE EYE ANOMALY: Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is a congenital and hereditary disease. All dogs with CEA have bilateral choroidal hypoplasia (CH), also called chorioretinal dysplasia, a thinning of the vascular tissue at the back of the eye, which does not significantly affect vision. Some dogs also have optic nerve coloboma, a condition in which the nerve tissue is not fully developed in the area where the optic nerve contacts the back of the eye. In a few cases, retinal detachment may also occur. The latter two defects are more serious and can even lead to blindness. CAA is already present at birth and does not progress, so there is no need to worry about an affected puppy getting worse over time. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that puppies affected with CEA do not suffer any pain.
  Generally, puppies with CEA have a completely normal appearance, as very few develop defects that seriously affect vision. These defects are located inside the eye and can only be identified with the help of specialised instruments. Therefore, diagnosis can only be made either by a veterinary ophthalmologist or by DNA testing. While coloboma and retinal detachment can be easily identified on ophthalmological examination, CH may not be as obvious in puppies aged 6 weeks or older, as the lesion may darken as pigment develops in the back of the eye, masking the condition.
  CH is caused by a recessive gene mutation.
  
  

• PROGRESSIVE RETINA ATROPHIA (PRA): There are two types of photoreceptor neurons in the retina: rods (located more in the periphery of the retina) and cones (located closer to the centre). These photoreceptors gradually deteriorate so that the retina is no longer able to capture light and, as it is unable to send information to the brain, the animal gradually stops seeing. On many occasions, it is difficult to detect and the owner does not realise until the disease is very advanced.
  It is a hereditary disease that affects both eyes equally, some breeds are more predisposed than others but it can affect any breed and animal.
  
  

• HIP DYSPLASIA: Canine hip dysplasia (CDD) is a problem that dogs begin to have as they grow older and causes instability or lack of adjustment (laxity) in the hip joint. This laxity in the hip joint is responsible for possible clinical signs (symptoms) of hip pain and limb dysfunction and also progressive changes in the joint. The hip joint is an enarthrosis, i.e. it consists of a ball and a cup-shaped element; the continuous abnormal movement of the femoral head (the ball) deforms the acetabulum (the cup). The long-term response to this joint laxity is progressive loss of cartilage, scar tissue formation around the joint, and the development of osteophytes (bony protrusions) around the ball and cup.
  The cause of CDD is multifactorial, but hereditary factors (genetics) are the biggest single risk factor. Rapid weight gain and growth from overfeeding can complicate the development of CDD.
  
  

• MDR1: Many shepherd dog breeds are genetically predisposed to adverse reactions to more than a dozen drugs. The most severe reactions occur when administering some antiparasitic drugs (ivermectin, milbemycin...), antidiarrhoeal agents (loperamide) and antitumour drugs (vincristine, doxorubicin...).
  Sensitivity to these drugs is caused by a mutation in the MDR1 gene (Multidrug Resistance gene), which causes dysfunction of the protein encoded by this gene. This protein forms a functional part of the blood-brain barrier and normally limits the penetration of drugs into the brain. When the gene is mutated, drugs cross the barrier producing toxicity with neurological symptoms (depression, ataxia, drowsiness, mydriasis, mydriasis, sialorrhea, tremors, coma or death).
  
  

• ELBOW DYSPLASIA: Canine elbow dysplasia is a disease consisting of multiple abnormalities of the elbow joint. The elbow joint is a complex joint made up of three bones (the radius, ulna and humerus). If these three bones do not fit together perfectly as a result of growth disturbances, an abnormal distribution of weight on different areas of the joint occurs, which causes pain, lameness and leads to the development of arthritis. Elbow dysplasia is a disease comprising several disorders grouped into medial space disease (fragmentation of the coronoid process, osteochondrosis, elbow incongruity and elbow anomalies) and nonunion of the anconeal process. The cause of canine elbow dysplasia is unclear. There are several theories as to the exact cause of the disease, including genetics', cartilage growth defects, trauma, diet and other issues. The most common suspicion is that it is a multifactorial disease causing growth disturbances.
  
  

• EPILEPSY: Canine epilepsy is the most common neurological problem in dogs and we understand how much discomfort and anxiety it can cause. All brain cells communicate through chemical and electrical signals. Epileptic seizures are the physical manifestation of uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. Different types of seizures can occur in dogs, with generalised seizures being the most common.
  Generalised seizures cause loss of consciousness, involuntary limb movements, urination, salivation and defecation. Focal or partial’ seizures involve a focal area of the brain and may appear as muscle twitching/tremors, abnormal sensations or hallucinations. Dogs do not feel pain during a seizure and are largely unaware that they are occurring, but may feel disoriented and confused (post-ictal signs) for a short period of time after the seizure (usually no more than 24 hours).
  Epileptic seizures may occur due to an identifiable cause; such as poisoning, kidney disease, liver disease, brain malformations, tumours or inflammation. When no underlying cause can be identified, the presumptive diagnosis is primary or ‘idiopathic’ epilepsy. No single test can tell whether an animal has idiopathic epilepsy. This is what we call a ‘diagnosis of exclusion’, as multiple tests are required to exclude all other causes (e.g. blood tests, brain MRI and cerebrospinal fluid analysis). Idiopathic epilepsy is more likely in dogs that are young (6 months to 6 years of age) at the time of their first seizure and are normal between seizures.
  Primary epilepsy is most likely to have a genetic cause, but currently the gene responsible in individual breeds has not been identified; however, several breeds are known to have an increased ‘familial’ risk of epilepsy (Labrador Retriever, Golden Retriever, Border Collie). Most epilepsies involve mutations in many genes. This means that breeding to prevent epilepsy is very difficult and idiopathic epilepsy can be diagnosed in any dog, of any breed, despite multiple generations and normal litters.
  
  

In terms of nutrition, healthy fats, omega 3 and fish are excellent choices for skin and coat care. The Australian Shepherd Dog should be groomed every four to six weeks.

THE PERSONALITY OF THE AUSTRALIAN SHEEPDOG

The breed is energetic and requires exercise. It enjoys work, whether it is learning and practising tricks, competing in agility, or any other physical or mental activity.

Dogs with a strong working instinct can become obsessive or reactive, they will need to be educated so that with a simple ‘no’ or petting, the dog understands that the job is done and all is well. Some dogs may be very instinct-driven, and from an early age they may herd people, even from their own family, so they need to be trained to correct their behaviour. It is a breed that is wary of strangers and with other dogs there may be a sort of clash of teeth, as a warning that this is their territory. But soon after meeting these people, they are very friendly.

They are kind, affectionate and devoted to the people they meet. They are very loyal to their owners, and are rewarding dogs if treated well. Because the breed was developed to serve on the ranch, a job that includes being protective of its property, it is inclined to warnings about neighbourhood street activity, but it is not a dog that barks obsessively. In fact, the dog only barks once or twice when there is a sound to which he is not accustomed, such as a crash for example. But normally they only become alert sitting upright or down depending on the dog, presenting growls and a fixed eye on the movement.

The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, a quick learner and loves to play. This means that a bored, neglected, unexercised Aussie tends to invent his own games, activities and jobs, which to his owners may appear as hyperactivity: for example, an Aussie may go from being at rest to running at full speed ‘laps’ around the house before returning to rest. Without something to amuse themselves, Aussie Shepherds often invent their own activities, which does not mean they are destructive, but if you do not want a dog that runs around the house like crazy, it is advisable to find out what type of toy your dog likes and exercise it frequently. Everyone has different tastes. If you give him a toy he doesn't like, he is likely to keep doing what he did before. They are not for people who are sedentary or expect to keep their dog on the couch all day. Aussies do best with plenty of human companionship: they are often called ‘velcro dogs’ because of their strong desire to always be close to their owners and their tendency to form intense, devoted bonds with people of their choice. Recent studies have also shown that shepherds work well with special needs children and babies because of their great ability to understand commands and the patience these dogs possess.

CONCLUSION

This dog has a strong herding instinct and loves to be part of family life, enjoying the company of its owners. At first they are reserved with new people, so early socialisation is essential. Continued training is also important to exploit their great intelligence and energy.