A Little About the Australian Shepard
Herding Roots
Size & Personality
Coat Color
Bi vs. Tri Colors
Red Factor
Eye Color
Docking Tails
Breeding Aussie's
Average Gestation Period
Female Heat Cycles
When to Spay & Neuter?
The Australian Shepard is a herding breed. Meaning they are naturally very active with instinct to move whatever is around them. We do have some dogs in our in our program that have less herding drive then others, but it is still imperative that these dogs have an active lifestyle of some kind to do well in their homes.
The Australian Shepard is Designed to be personable and friendly for the family, but cunning and active enough to work and herd livestock. They are very loyal, smart, easy to train, and loving breed. Standard Australian Shepard's range from 18-26 inches tall, 40-65lbs, and a life expectancy of 12-15 years.
They have a double layered coat that comes in a variety of colors. From red and blue merles to the standard red and black.
Blue Merle = A Black Base with a single dilution gene.
Red Merle = A Red Base with a single dilution Gene.
All colors can contain white markings (most common on the nose, chest, and legs) and tan points throughout their face and legs. All Colors Can either be "Self" (base color only)
"bi" or "tri"
The Absence of Tan or White Markings is the difference between a Bi and a Tri. An Aussie Needs their base color (red or black), tan points, and white markings to be labeled a tri.
Examples:
Mindy: Red Coat, Tan Points, White Markings = Red Tri. If She did not have Tan Points, she would be a Red Bi.
(Also See Mack's Lineage for examples of some Bi's)
Red is a recessive color in Aussie's. (r) and in order for an Aussie to be red they need two copies of the recessive red gene (rr). However, an Aussie that is NOT red can carry the red gene (r) this is called Red Factored (RF) A Great Example is Mack (Blue Merle) and Darla (Black Tri). Neither Dog is red, but they ARE both red factored, meaning both dogs carry the (r) gene. So, they can produce Red Merle, and red coats in their litters.
Eye color can vary from Amber, Hazel, and Blue. Less commonly they can be Marble (one eye is two different colors), and forms of Heterochromia. (Each eye is a different color)
Australian Shepards "Herding Style" is different from other breeds. They do not "creep" and keep their tail down like the Border Collie, they use their movement to move livestock and are a "tail up" and chase herder. This "tail up" can cause issues moving livestock and can also be somewhat dangerous to the dog, thus why docking tails is breed standard.
​First and foremost, if you wish to buy one of our puppies with breeding rights, NEVER breed a merle to a merle. The gene that creates merle's is a recessive dilution of the black and red colors (Mm) by breeding two Merle's (Mm), there is a 50% likelihood of creating a double Merle. (MM). When the double merle gene is active in dogs this almost ALWAYS has adverse health effects. Most commonly dogs that are MM are deaf or blind.
​
As in any breed, Genetic Testing and OFA's are important before breeding any dog. All of our dogs have been genetically tested through Embark or are clear of the breed's specific genetic defects through parentage. Collie Eye Anomaly and MDR1 are the most prevalent genetic defects within the breed. If you wish to breed these dogs, do your due diligence before mating.
The Average Gestation (Pregnancy) Length for a Standard Australian Shepard is 63 days (+ or - 7 days based on external and genetic factors). It is recommended that you wait to breed females until they are around 2yrs old
Intact Females generally have their first heat cycle between 6-14 months of age. With 8 months old being the most common. Size and genetic factors influence when this happens and how often it continues to happen throughout their life. Generally, an intact female will cycle every 6-8 months. The beginning of the heat cycle is marked with 3-7 days of bleeding, then 1-3 days of "no blood" (this is when they ovulate can be bred) followed by another 3-7 days of "bleeding off".
There are a lot of opinions on when to do this, and the best answer is really dependent on the owner's situation. Spaying and Neutering at 6 months old is Standard, BUT there are several studies that indicate it is best to wait to spay and neuter until after the dog's 1st birthday, since these hormones are greatly associated with the animal's growth and maturity. (Also Do not spay a female during an active heat cycle)
However, both males and females CAN reproduce as soon as 6 months of age. Be a good owner, understand your personal situation, and make the decision that is best for YOU.