Aussie Genetics Fact Sheet: Australian Shepherd Genetic Disease
Prevalence
by C.A. Sharp
Breed statistics can be hard to come by due to a reluctance on the part of breeders to share the information. CERF's statistics should reflect incidence for
eye disease since cooperating vets are supposed to send all the forms, rather than leaving it to the owner as with OFA. For other diseases there is very little
available because they aren't recorded in any major database or registry.
In terms, this author feels the most common problems in order of frequency:
• Cataracts - unknown, may be more than one type
• Epilepsy - unknown
• Dental Faults – polygenic
• Autoimmune Disease - genetic predisposition
• Hip Dysplasia - polygenic with environmental influcence
• Iris coloboma - unknown but almost always seen in merles
• Allergies - polygenic (?) with environmental influence
• Cancer – various, not all hereditary
• Persistent Pupilary Membrane - unknown
• Distichaisis – unknown
• Retained Testicles – polygenic
• Collie Eye Anomaly - autosomal recessive
The following are less common but occur often enough to cause concern:
• Corneal Dystrophy – unknown
• Elbow Dysplasia - polygenic
• Hemophilia A & B –X-linked
• Muscular Dystrophy – X-linked
• Osteochondritis Desicans – unknown, body morph/growth rate may predispose
• Patellar Luxation - unknown
• Patent Ductus Arteriiosus – possibly polygenic
• Pelger-Huet Anomaly - incomplete dominant
• Porto-systemic (Liver) Shunt - unknown
• Progressive Retinal Atrophy - autosomal recessive (possibly not occurring at all, but mis-diagnosed in cases
with retinal damage secondary to trauma)
• Rage Syndrome - unknown
vonWillebrand’s Disease – unknown in Aussies
ASCA AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD BREED STANDARD
EFFECTIVE JANUARY 15, 1977
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. 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. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined.
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. Although an aggressive,
authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.
HEAD: Clean-cut, strong, dry and in proportion to the body. The topskull is flat to slightly rounded, its length and
width each equal to the length of the muzzle which is in balance and proportioned to the rest of the head. The
muzzle tapers slightly to a rounded tip. The stop is moderate but well-defined.
(A) TEETH: A full compliment of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. An even bite is a fault. Teeth broken or
missing by accident are not penalized.
Disqualifications: Undershot bites; overshot bites exceeding 1/8 inches.
(B) EYES: Very expressive, showing attentiveness and intelligence. Clear, almond-shaped, and of moderate size,
set a little obliquely, neither prominent nor sunken, with pupils dark, well-defined and perfectly positioned. Color is
brown, blue, amber, or any variation or combination including flecks and marbling.
(C) EARS: Set on high at the side of the head, triangular and slightly rounded at the tip, of moderate size with
length measured by bringing the tip of the ear around to the inside corner of the eye. The ears, at full attention,
break slightly forward and over from one- quarter (1/4) to one-half (1/2) above the base. Prick ears and hound type
ears are severe faults.
NECK AND BODY: The neck is firm, clean and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched
at the crest, setting well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural
four-square stance. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well-sprung. The loin is strong and broad when viewed
from the top. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The croup is moderately sloping, the ideal
being thirty (30) degrees from the horizontal. Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
FOREQUARTERS: The shoulder blades (scapula) are long and flat, close set at the withers, approximately two
fingers width at a natural stance and are well laid back at an angle approximately forty-five (45) degrees to the
ground. The upper arm (humerus) is attached at an approximate right angle to the shoulder line with forelegs
dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. The elbow joint is equidistant from the ground to the withers. The
legs are straight and powerful. Pasterns are short, thick and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when
viewed from the side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient;
nails short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS: Width of hindquarters approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The
angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper
arm forming an approximate right angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The metatarsi are
short, perpendicular to the ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are oval shaped,
compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear dewclaws are
removed.
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, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
COLOR: All colors are strong, clear and rich. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black,
and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. The
blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims. Reds and red merles have liver
pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. Butterfly nose should not be faulted under one year of age. On all colors
the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color other than white. The hairline of a white collar
does not exceed the point at the withers.
Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors. White body splashes. Dudley nose.
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.
SIZE: Preferred height at the withers for males is 20 to 23 inches; that for females is 18 to 21 inches, however,
quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
Other Disqualification: Monorchidism and cryptorchidism.
AKC AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD BREED STANDARD
General Appearance
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. He is a loyal
companion and has the stamina to work all day. He is well balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and
bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality. He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and
muscular without cloddiness. He has a coat of moderate length and coarseness. He has a docked or natural
bobbed tail.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches, females 18-21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favor
of size. Proportion--Measuring from the breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the
Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall. Substance--Solidly built with moderate bone. Structure in the male
reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of bone.
Head
The Head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size should be in proportion to the body. The muzzle is equal in
length or slightly shorter than the back skull. Viewed from the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form
parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop. The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded
at the tip.
Expression --Showing attentiveness and intelligence, alert and eager. Gaze should be keen but friendly.
Eyes are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling. Almond
shaped, not protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on eye rims. The red
merles and reds have liver (brown) pigmentation on eye rims.
Ears are triangular, of moderate size and leather, set high on the head. At full attention they break forward and
over, or to the side as a rose ear. Prick ears and hanging ears are severe faults.
Skull Top flat to slightly domed. It may show a slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal. Moderate
well-defined stop. Muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at the tip.
Nose--Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds have liver
(brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). On the merles it is permissible to have small pink spots; however, they
should not exceed 25% of the nose on dogs over one year of age, which is a serious fault.
Teeth--A full complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors bite or may meet in a level bite.
Disqualifications--Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch. Loss of contact caused by short center incisors in an
otherwise correct bite shall not be judged undershot. Teeth broken or missing by accident shall not be penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is strong, of moderate length, slightly arched at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders. Topline--Back is
straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. The croup is moderately sloped. Chest is not broad but
is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow. The ribs are well sprung and long, neither barrel chested nor slab-
sided. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up. Tail is straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to exceed four
inches in length.
Forequarters
Shoulders--Shoulder blades are long, flat, fairly close set at the withers and well laid back. The upper arm, which
should be relatively the same length as the shoulder blade, attaches at an approximate right angle to the shoulder
line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular to the ground. Legs straight and strong. Bone is strong, oval
rather than round. Pastern is medium length and very slightly sloped. Front dewclaws may be removed. Feet are
oval, compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Hindquarters
The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis
and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right
angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints moderately bent. The hocks are short, perpendicular to the ground
and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Rear dewclaws must be removed. Feet are oval, compact
with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Coat
Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather resistant and of medium length. The undercoat varies in
quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the
hocks. Backs of forelegs and britches are moderately feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more
pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults.
Color
Blue merle, black, red merle, red-all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of
preference. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. White is acceptable
on the neck (either in part or as a full collar), chest, legs, muzzle underparts, blaze on head and white extension
from underpart up to four inches, measuring from a horizontal line at the elbow. White on the head should not
predominate, and the eyes must be fully surrounded by color and pigment. Merles characteristically become darker
with increasing age. Disqualifications White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on
sides between elbows and back of hindquarters in all colors.
Gait
The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. He exhibits great 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 (front and rear) converge toward the center line of gravity of the dog while the back
remains firm and level. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter gait instantly.
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with an even disposition; he is good natured, seldom
quarrelsome. He may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Faults Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is
to be severely penalized.
Disqualifications
Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch.
White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of
hindquarters in all colors.
Approved May 14, 1991
Effective January 1, 1993