These dogs look just as magnificent as the tri colored variation without the copper. On top of that, even more color combinations are seen outside of the recognized colors. Although some Aussies are born with naturally bobbed or partially bobbed (stubby) tails, the majority are born with full, long tails. The Australian Shepherd has a reputation as a highly intelligent and versatile stock dog with a range of working styles. Blue eyes could have speckles of brown, whereas brown eyes can have speckles of blue. The National Stock Dog Registry became its official breed registry, which continued until ASCA took over in 1972.[45]. The second most popular variation of the blue merle Aussie is when the dog has a blue merle base coat and only white markings. And the reason? [9] However, many Aussie breeders felt the AKC put too much emphasis on breed conformity and not enough on performance, so the ASCA declined to join the AKC.

[20] A good working Aussie is quick, thoughtful, and easy with its stock: there are working lines in the American West that still herd sheep, smaller cattle, and goats.

Only two white marking genes have been clearly identified so far in dogs. There’s no surprise they’re the 17th most popular dog breed in the United States. However, this was not the case many years ago.

[35] It is believed by some that the breed has Basque origins in Spain and was used there by shepherds.

Other conditions of note include iris coloboma, canine hip dysplasia, Pelger-Huet anomaly, hypothyroidism, and nasal solar dermatitis. I’ve seen pictures from breeders that show gray and white aussies, no Merle affect. display: none !important;

One of the best things about the Aussie is the color combination of their eyes. The tri-colored black coat, as described above, is not the only possible combination of black Australian Shepherds. The Australian Shepherd's history is vague, as is the reason for its misleading name. This merle (M) is dominant, so heterozygous dogs (Mm) show the pigmentation pattern; however, when two merles are bred, the statistical risk is 25% of the offspring will end up with the two copies of the merle gene (homozygous). In other cases, there are even black Aussies with hazel-colored eyes (brown and green) with brown being the dominant color.

Still, it’s much more common for a red merle to have blue eyes than brown eyes.

They often excel at dog sports such as dog agility and frisbee and are also highly successful as search and rescue dogs, disaster dogs, detection dogs, guide dogs, service dogs, and therapy dogs.

Blue merle, Red merle, Black tri, black bi, red Tri, red bi – and non approved colors Golden an Party. The other is associated with the “Irish” pattern seen in collie-type dogs, like the Aussie.

Red merle makes up this base coat for this color combination. [3] The preceding forebears of the foundation dogs likely had several sources, but were primarily UK rural landrace herding collies of various types and/or regions. Some breeders euthanize mostly white pups, while others may attempt to sell them as "rare" white Aussies without disclosing the potential for health defects.

A theory suggests that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded. [44], A blue merle in a dog agility competition, The Australian Shepherd Club of America (ASCA) was founded in 1957 to promote the breed. All the merle gene does is determine whether or not a dog is merle. They can weigh from 35 to 70 pounds (16 to 32 kg) and stand from 18 to 23 inches (46 to 58 cm) in height. However, it’s all personal taste. The dogs instinctively use a "pounce" position to deal with cattle trying to kick them. The breed standards state “All colors are strong, clear and rich. Although these four colors are the main color groups, each group has several variations.

It’s not too often you run into a solid blue merle, but when you do they look amazing. It’s rather difficult to tell apart a red merle tri color and a red merle and white.

Australian Shepherds come in these four accepted coat colors: You might have noticed the title stating there are 14 different Aussie colors. But red merle Aussies with brown eyes can still be found. One causes the type of pattern seen in Boxers. If blue merle isn’t your thing, but you still want an exotic-looking Australian Shepherd – i’d take a long hard look at the red merle tri Aussie. The Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has, perhaps, the most unique color combination among the four basic colors. Tests should also include those for thyroidism and clearances for other known eye diseases like colobomas, progressive retinal atrophy, and retinal folds. Because this characteristic is a recessive gene, both parents must carry the E-locus gene to produce a yellow Aussie puppy.

While it was once thought that these dogs would, like normal merles, produce defective double merles if bred to another merle dog, this does not appear to be the case. They can live just as well as the non-dilute dogs. All black and blue merle dogs have black noses, eye rims, and lips. The Miniature Australian Shepherd was developed by breeders looking for smaller dogs ranging in size from 14 inches to the Aussie standard. [4] This, and the current physical appearance of the Australian Shepherd, tend to support the oral histories, at least in regard that there is some inheritence from landrace farmcollie types of the European mainland. Presumably because they’re just not as interesting as all the other color variations of this breed. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Collie eye anomaly (CEA) is rare in the breed, but it and cataracts are a concern[27] in Aussies. The gray can range anywhere between silver to a dark smoke-like gray, whereas the black spots can be small specks or large patches. One of each is a normal merle, a state midway between the two homozygous forms. The four versions of the black-coated Aussie are: tri-color, black bi, black and tan and solid black. They have red spots on top of an buff (a light orange-brown) to silver base color. A dilute Australian Shepherd will more than likely have different colored noses and eyes as well. Their eyes are usually lighter than their non-dilute counterparts, while the noses may be a slate or light liver color. Results of a 1998 internet survey with a sample size of 614 Australian Shepherds indicated a median longevity around 12.5 years, but that longevity may be declining.[25]. With that said, what are the most common non-standard colors seen in Australian Shepherds? [5][6] There is disagreement regarding the exact provenance of the breed's progenitures, prior to their arrival in the United States, and thus no official consensus on the origin of the breed name or association with Australia, or on exactly which landrace dogs contributed to the foundation dogs' gene pool.[7]. Most of the time, the markings are on the face, legs and chest. All of which, are distinct in their own right. You can determine whether a black dog is red factored several ways:  If it has a liver parent or offspring, by doing a DNA test, or by breeding it to a liver colored dog to see if you get liver puppies. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point at the withers. Australian Shepherds rose in popularity with a boom in Western riding after World War II. Butterfly nose should not be faulted under one year of age. Lovely aussie pups among the best merle Aussie puppies red merle and blue merle. The OFA database also includes the results for eye exams performed by a Canine Eye Registration Foundation veterinarian, but only if the owner of the Aussie submits the results. This means they have no white or copper marks anywhere on their body. hi, I think I have a very rare colored Aussie. A dilute Australian Shepherd will more than likely have different colored noses and eyes as well. Aussie eyes may be any shade of brown or blue; they may have two different colored eyes, or even have bicolored or "split eyes" (for example, a half-brown, half-blue eye), which appear to be linked to the merle coloration. These are called “black bi” Australian Shepherds, which stand for black bicolor. The brown colored eyes of the black Aussie can come in different shades of brown. It’s relatively difficult to find a non-standard Aussie today.

Some Australian Shepherds (as well as Collies, German Shepherds, and many other herding dogs) are susceptible to a genetic mutation of the MDR1 gene. awesome aussie home. However, there is a weasel in this particular hen-house in the form of a gene called K.  If a dog has a single copy of the dominant version of K it will not have tan trim.

It’s fairly rare to see a blue merle with only copper/tan accompanying. Get your lovely, agile compagnon: Aussie … RECOMMENDED: Smart Owner’s Guide to Australian Shepherds. We SHIPPED Aussie …

They also have copper highlights on the face and legs.

Today, the most popular preference and common Aussie is the blue merle. The picture shown above is a classic example of the difference between a dilute and non-dilute Aussie.