Australian Shepherd

  • Group 1: Sheepdogs and Cattle Dogs ( without Swiss Cattle Dogs)
  • Section 1: Sheepdogs
  • Without working trial

USA

Preferred: Male 51-58 cm Female 46-53 cm

Not set

FCI, AKC, ANKC KC ( UK), NZKC, UKC

The Australian Shepherd is a recognized by the FCI since 1996 dog breed from the USA ( FCI Group 1, Section 1, Standard No. 342). The leading association for the Australian Shepherd breed is the Australian Shepherd Club of America ( ASCA ) in 1957 opened the first stud book for the breed.

Origin and History

The breeding origin of the Australian Shepherd is, despite its name in North America, due to its association with Basque shepherds who migrated from Australia to America in the 19th century. This brought Merino sheep with him, which had been exported to Australia and that's why in North America were given the name "Australian Sheep ".

The first studbook was opened by 1957, founded in Arizona Australian Shepherd Club of America ( ASCA ). 1966 next to it was founded the International Australian Shepherd Association ( IASA). ASCA and IASA joined in 1980 to a club together and have since become the largest breed club in North America.

The current breed standard of the ASCA 1977 came into force. Since the early 1990s, the American Kennel Club (AKC ) has also a breed registry for Australian Shepherds and has also developed its own breed standard, which entered into force in January 1993. Only since 1996, the Australian Shepherd, an International by the Fédération Cynologique (FCI) recognized breed. The current breed standard dates from 5 June 2009. In Europe one finds Australian Shepherds only since the 1970s, but since then more and more.

Description

The Australian Shepherd has a balanced body of medium size and bone. The dog should be large loud FCI standard 50.8 to 58.5 cm, the females from 45.7 to 53.4 cm, but quality should never be sacrificed in favor of size. The coat is semi- long, weather-resistant and has a dense undercoat, with the outer coat is smooth to slightly wavy. The hair is short and smooth on the head, on the outside of ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks.

A distinction is made between the following colors:

  • Black ( black)
  • Red (red)
  • Blue-merle ( marbled black with gray color)
  • Red- merle ( marbled red / brown with light red / beige color)

Each of these colors can stand alone or be combined with white and / or copper-colored badge. 4 basic colors times 4 possible combinations badge (without / white / copper / copper and white) - Thus, 16 possible color variants result.

  • Solid black
  • Solid red
  • Blue-merle
  • Red- merle
  • Black- bi ( white)
  • Black- bi ( copper)
  • Red- bi ( white)
  • Red- bi ( copper)
  • Blue-merle ( white)
  • Blue-merle ( copper)
  • Red- merle ( white)
  • Red- merle ( copper)
  • Black-tri
  • Red tri
  • Blue-merle white / copper
  • Red- merle white / copper

In all colors the areas around the eyes and ears are largely dominated by color other than white. White areas on the body or completely unpigmented nose ( Dudley nose ) are disqualifying faults.

Red Tri

Black Tri

Blue - merle white / copper

Blue merle

Red Merle

Characteristic of some dogs of this breed is the bobtail (NBT = Natural bobtail ). The standard of the FCI allows both the natural bobtail and the docked tail of a maximum of 10 cm. Cropped rods are permitted only in countries where this practice is not prohibited. The dog's eyes are almond shaped and of medium size. Colors are Blue, Brown, Amber ( Amber ) or any other variation or combination of these colors, including flecks and marbling. The overturned ears are triangular and slightly rounded at the tip. Prick ears and hanging ears are severe faults. The head is in good proportion to the body, the stop is moderate but clearly pronounced. The front legs at right angles to the ground. The hindquarters are well angulated, but the back must be straight, and must not fall moderately from the croup. Dewclaws are removed. The walk is easy, free, soft, ground covering and balanced.

Nature

Since the Australian Shepherd was bred for herding, include dogs of this breed only in the hands of active, sporting owners, who may employ and utilize the dogs. A purely physical activity such as walking or cycling is not enough to call for an Australian Shepherd. Challenging activities in the dog sports lend themselves to the physical and mental capacity.

Authorities and emergency services employ the race for track work and for the detection of drugs. In species-appropriate utilization Australian Shepherds are also suitable as family dogs. The Australian Shepherd is usually an intelligent and docile dog who wants to please his owner ( will to please ).

Breed Specific diseases

As occurs in Collies the Australian Shepherd of the MDR1 defect that causes a hypersensitivity to several drugs. 6.9 % of the examined dogs are homozygous for the defect; this results in a carrier frequency of 38.7 %.

Also available are epilepsy, cataracts, hip and elbow dysplasia, (HD / ED ), autoimmune diseases, Faulty mouth, allergies, thyroid and heart problems. These diseases increased in the last few years increased, which certainly was also due to the boom in the breeding and thus partly wild proliferation of this breed.

When Merle x merle breedings can result in severe defects such as blindness or deafness. Such pairings are therefore banned in Switzerland and Germany by legislation. In Germany they are called spoiled breed.

working dog Docking (animal) List of dog sports Active ingredient Merle (dog coat)
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