History:

The Sheepdog has a long history of tending livestock, usually sheep and cattle, and sometimes deer or chickens. A good sheepdog should have good eyesight to keep an eye on the flock, guide movement and reduce agitation. Sheepdogs are intelligent and aggressive, and some breeds have excellent coats. At first it was thought that the shepherd had to be larger in size and stronger in personality in order to protect the livestock from beasts such as wolves and bears. And when this power gradually diminished, people began to adopt the alert and smaller collies to take on more active roles, such as helping people to control the movement of the herd. All kinds of shepherd dogs in Europe, except for a few breeds such as "", seldom appear in China, and they are rarely raised as they are mainly used as shepherds. But this situation is changing, and some breeds such as "Teflon" have gradually lost their shepherd's essence, and become a rookie and show dog.

Australian Shepherd Alias : North American Shepherd In addition to taking care of a wide range of livestock, the Australian Shepherd has excellent performance in assisting the police in arresting criminals, tracking down drugs, and performing search and rescue missions. It can be said to be an all-rounder. dog. Click to enter Australian ShepherdClub

Origin:

Although there are many theories about its origin, the breed as we know it today developed from the United States, It may also have originated in the Basque region of the Pyrenees between Spain and France, but is called Australia because of its association with the Basque sheep herding that entered the United States from Australia in the 18th century.

Personality:

Clever, alert but calm; good nature, not loud. The first meeting will be reserved. Weaknesses: Any sign of shyness, timidity, or aggression is a serious flaw.

FCI Standard:

[body size]

Size: The ideal height at the shoulder is 20-23 inches for males; 18-21 inches for females. Reasonable size should not be sacrificed for quality. Proportion: Body length (the distance from the breastbone to the back of the thigh) is slightly greater than the height at the withers. Physique: Solid structure with medium bone mass. Males are masculine but not rough in structure; females are soft but not bone-deficient.

[head]

The head is clean, firm and dry (no loose skin). The size of the entire head is in proper proportion to the body. The length of the muzzle is the same as or slightly shorter than that of the skull. Viewed from the side, the top profile of the muzzle is parallel to the top profile of the skull, separated by a moderate but well-defined stop. The muzzle is slightly tapered from the base to the nose, slightly rounded at the tip.

Expression: Appears focused and intelligent, alert and perceptive, keen but friendly. The eyes can be brown, blue, amber, or a combination of different colors and variations, including mottled or marbled. Almond-shaped, neither protruding nor sunken, blue rut or black has dark rims; red rut dogs have liver (brown) eye rims. Ears are triangular in shape, medium in size, with medium thickness, set high, folded forward, or resembling rose ears. Standing or drooping ears are a serious defect. The top of the head is flat and slightly arched, the posterior occipital bone is slightly raised, and the length and width of the head are equal. Moderate, but well-defined stop. The muzzle is slightly tapered from the base to the nose, slightly rounded at the tip.

Nose: Blue merle or black dogs have black noses (and lips), red merles have liver (brown) noses (and lips). A small amount of pink stain on the nose (and lips) is allowed in rue dogs, but no more than 25% of the area of the nose after one year of age. Otherwise, it is a serious defect. Teeth: Complete dentition, white teeth, scissors bite or pincer bite. Disqualification: Jaw protruding bite. The upper jaw protrudes more than 1/8 inch. The teeth cannot touch due to the short middle incisors, but when the other parts are normal, it is not judged as a protruding jaw. A broken or missing tooth caused by an accident is not a defect.

[neck, topline, body]

The neck is strong, of medium length, slightly arched at the top and well integrated with the shoulders. Topline: The back (from withers to croup) is straight and strong, flat and firm. The hips are moderately sloping. The chest is not broad, but extends deep to the elbows. Ribs well-spread and long, neither barrel chest nor flat laterally. The lower abdominal curve is moderately raised. The tail is straight, docked or naturally short, not exceeding 4 inches in length.

[Forequarters]

Shoulders: Shoulder blades long, flat, withers moderately close, sloping back. The forearm, the length of the shoulder blade, is nearly at right angles to the shoulder blade, and the forelegs are just below the shoulder blade, perpendicular to the ground. The legs are straight and strong, with strong bones, more oval in cross-section than round. The ankles are of medium length and very slightly sloping. Forelimb dewclaws can be removed. Feet are oval and compact, with toes tightly coupled and well arched. The footpads are thick and stretchy.

[hindquarters]

The width of the hindquarters is the same as the width of the forequarters at the shoulders, the angle of the pelvis and the first thigh corresponds to the angle of the forequarters shoulder blade and the forearm, close to a right angle. The rear knee joint is well defined and the hocks are well angled. Viewed from behind, the hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground, and parallel to each other. The hind limb dewclaws must be removed. Feet are oval and compact, with toes tightly coupled and well arched. The footpads are thick and stretchy.

[coat]

Medium quality, straight or slightly wavy, weather resistant, medium length. The amount of undercoat varies according to climate and seasons. The hair on the head, ears, front of the forelegs and below the hocks of the hind legs is short and smooth. The rear of the forelegs and the "trousers" are moderately feathered. With moderate mane decoration, males are more pronounced than females. The absence of a typical coat is a serious defect.

[color]

Blue merle, black, red merle, or full red, with or without white markings (white markings may have brown transitions), these colors are not The distinction or order of pros and cons. The white scarf cannot extend beyond the withers. White appearance on the neck (part or all), chest, legs, under the muzzle is acceptable, as are white veins on the head and the white extending no more than 4 inches up from the elbow. White must not dominate the head, and there must be color around the eyes, and the eye rims must be well-pigmented. The ruddy color features increase with age. Disqualification: White spots on the body, which means that no matter what color, the color appears white behind the withers, before the tail, from the sides of the elbows to the back and buttocks.

[GAIT]

The gait is smooth, stretched, and relaxed. The movements are very agile, harmonious and long. The fore and hind limbs move straight and parallel to the centerline of the body. As the speed increases, the limbs and claws move closer to the centerline of the body due to gravity, while the back remains level and stable. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and have the ability to change direction and pace suddenly.