Ashley's Aussies

GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog, no matter whether Standard, Miniature or toy. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail.

CHARACTER
The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained, performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness.

COAT
Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat. The quantity of undercoat varies with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs and below the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered; breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane and frill.

COLOR
All colors are strong, clear and rich. The previously recognized colors are blue merle, red merle, solid black tri and solid red tri and with or without white markings and/or tan or copper points.  The red merle and red tris have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims.  The blue merle and black tris have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims.

GAIT
Smooth, free and easy; exhibiting 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, both front and rear, converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog, while the topline remains firm and level. Joints do not bend or twist when in motion.

SIZE

STANDARD: Preferred height for both male and female is 18 inches up to 23 inches at the top of the withers.
MINIATURE: Preferred height for both male and female is 14 inches up to 18 inches at the top of withers.
TOY: Preferred height for both male and female is 10 inches up to 14 inches at the top of the withers.

 Information received from the American Stock Dog Registry LLC at www.americanstockdog.org .

Origin of Australian Shepherds

The longest standing version credits the early formation of today's Aussie to a people known as the Basques (borders of Spain and France).  They were some of the earliest people to domesticate animals and during the nineteenth century, they began to immigrate to Australia and United States with their sheep and dogs. 

 It was at that time that the "little blue dogs" gained notice by ranchers.  The dog adapted to the ruggedness of the western ranges.  Over time, Basques' dogs were bred to other good working dogs of Australia and the United States, and they continued to reproduce true to their type. Because the dogs accompanied their Basque herdsmen from Australia, they came to be known as Australian Shepherds, even though they originated in Spain and France and were truly developed in America.

Early History:   In the ranges, he became a dependable herding dog of superior intelligence and a loyal family companion.  Any historian knows that these dogs show up quite frequently in photographs taken during the 1800's and early 1900's.   As Aussies moved across the States, they became suited to their own region.  Legend has it that the American Indians held a reverence for these dogs because of their unusual and often blue eyes.   American Indians left these "sacred dogs" and their owners unharmed.

 Nap time!!!

PERSONALITY

Aussies are like five-year olds.  Aussies will eternally love you, which is why you should do all you can to make them happy, too.  Aussies are not content to sit on the other side of the room on a bed, while you watch t.v. They would rather sit on you or on the couch and watch t.v. with you. They want to do what you are doing.  If you are gardening, digging out weeds, they will help.

Aussies are protective of their owners and their property. They will bark but should never bite or growl.  Aussies are reserved when meeting someone for the first time, but once they see them again, the Aussie will be overjoyed to see your guests.  If you leave your Aussie in the yard for a minute and come back, do not be surprised to be greeted as if you were back from a sabbatical for six months.

Aussies are like furry shadows. It is the great personality that made the Aussie a favorite working dog. If you have food, they are mindful, but even the best obedience trainer can tell you of their Aussies' stunts in the ring that got them disqualified.

They do everything with flair, and are unafraid to try new things.  They are canine comedians, so if you don't have a sense of humor, they aren't for you.

Aussies can smile and sometimes they "purr" (it sounds somewhat like growling) which can lead people to think they are quite aggressive, which is only one of the funny ways they express themselves. When they greet you, they might pick up a random object and wag this way and that, twisting into a "u" in joy.  They might lay down, and stick their back legs out under them, like a fur rug. It is commonly called the "flying-frog-dog" or "puppy-rugging."   There is no end to what makes an Aussie a fun and unusual dog.

TAIL DOCKING

Why Dock Tails?

1. To avoid tail damage - This is the most important reason for docking a tail. Australian Shepherds were raised in the rough Western areas of the United States, which, if you have never visited, have tough weeds, tall grasses, and plenty of other hazards. Working in this condition will easily lead to torn and bleeding tails, which, of course are very painful and hard to treat. If the tail is docked, it eliminates the risk of injury.  It also lessens chances of matting.

2. For reasons of hygiene - Dogs with thick hair have a good chance of getting feces on themselves and caught in the tail. Docking can greatly reduce the hygiene problems.

3. To maintain breed standards

Does it hurt?

Docking is carried out when puppies are tiny. Their eyes are not yet open and long experience indicates that carried out correctly, the procedure causes little or no pain or discomfort. Indeed, some puppies which are docked whilst they are asleep, do not even wake up. After docking, puppies will immediately return to their dam to feed, and there is no evidence that development or weight gain is in any way arrested by the docking procedure.

Nor does a dog which has been docked as a puppy have any problems with balance or communication.

Information on tail docking and breed origin received from www.theaustralianshepherd.net.