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General Appearance
Well balanced, length slightly greater than height. Medium size, solid and muscular. Various colours. Expression alert, keen and friendly.

Characteristics
Intelligent, strong herding and guarding instincts. Great stamina, loyal, attentive, animated, lithe, agile; able to change speed and direction instantly.

Temperament
Even disposition. May show initial reserve, never shy or aggressive.

Head and Skull
In proportion to body. Clean cut. Dry. Muzzle equal to, or a little shorter than length of skull. Skull of equal length and width with slight dome. Occiput may be apparent. From side, top of muzzle and skull on parallel planes. Moderate, well defined stop. Muzzle tapers slightly toward nose, ending in rounded tip. Nose: In blue merles and blacks - black; in red merles and reds - liver/brown. Merles may have small pink spots.

Eyes
Brown, blue or amber, or combination including flecks and marbling. Oval shaped, of moderate size, neither protruding nor sunken. Eye rims: blue merles and blacks - black; in red merles and reds - liver/brown.

Ears
Triangular; of moderate size and thickness, set high. Breaking forward or to side when attracted.

Mouth
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Level bite tolerated.

Neck
Moderate length, strong, slightly arched; fitting smoothly into shoulders.

Forequarters
Shoulder blades long and flat, well laid back, set close at withers. Upper arms of comparable length. Legs straight from all sides, with strong oval bone. Medium length, slightly sloping pasterns.

Body
Strong, with firm level topline. Croup moderately sloping. Chest deep, of moderate width, with brisket reaching to elbow. Ribs well sprung and long. Underline shows moderate tuck-up.

Hindquarters
Same width as forequarters. Corresponding angulation of pelvis and upper thighs to scapulae and upper arms. Well defined stifles, moderate angle of hock joints. Hocks well let down, perpendicular to ground and parallel when viewed from rear.

Feet
Oval. Closely set, well arched toes; thick pads.

Tail
Previously customarily docked or may be naturally bobbed.
Docked: Straight, docked to no more than 10 cms (4ins) length.
Undocked: Set low following line of croup. Of moderate length. Never curled or carried over back. Well feathered. In overall balance with the rest of the dog.

Gait/Movement
Agile, smooth, free and easy, with good forward reach. Fore-and hindlegs move straight and parallel but may converge at speed.

Coat
Medium length and texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant with undercoat. Short hair on head, ears front of forelegs and below hock joints. Back of legs moderately feathered. Moderate mane, more pronounced in dogs than bitches.

Colour
Blue merle, black, red merle, red, all with or without tan points. May have white as follows: white collar no further back than point of withers at skin. White on neck as full or part collar, chest, muzzle, underparts, moderate blaze. Coloured coat surrounding pigmented eyerims.

Size
Dogs: 51-58 cms (20-23 inches). Bitches: 46-53 cms (18-21 inches).

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.

Note
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.

Last Updated - September 2007

Glossary of Canine Terms

Health Information

The Kennel Club operates health screening schemes with other organisations.  Some are clinical veterinary screening schemes and some are DNA screening schemes, which may be relevant to this breed.

The current health screening requirements and recommendations for Kennel Club Accredited Breeders of this breed show what is required and recommended for the sire and dam of any litter of this breed bred by an Accredited Breeder.

Breed specific summary results from the Purebred Dog Health Survey in 2004 are available.  Individual summaries are only available where the breed response rate was greater than 15%.

Recommended Reading

All the below publications are available to order from the Online Shop.

	Kennel Club Breed Standards Kennel Club Breed Standards are available for most breeds indicating the qualities which competition judges normally take into account and the standard or model which breeders endeavour to achieve. The Breed Standards can be purchased by group.
	The Kennel Club Illustrated Breed Standards Containing full descriptive standards for 192 breeds, as well as representation for the six Kennel Club recognised breeds that are currently without standards, this beautifully illustrated volume is a must for all dog enthusiasts. This third edition has been completely revised and updated by a panel of experts and incorporates the very latest standards for breeds in each group.

Breed Clubs and Societies

• AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD CLUB OF UK. Sec. Mrs Sarah Green. Tel No: 01924 489859
• National Australian Shepherd Association. Sec: Mrs Challenger. Tel No: 01366 386702

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