white aussies
are rare today because we have been slowly eliminating the “more white” forms of the white marking genes from our gene pool by not breeding Aussies with more than allowable white (though the preference for white trim on the show dogs does have some pushing the envelope.).
Are all
white australian shepherds deaf
?
White on and around the ear is associated with deafness in many breeds of dog. Most
double merles
with white on or around the ears are deaf, usually in both ears Occasionally, Aussies that are not double merles who have these markings will be deaf in one or both ears.
What is the rarest Australian Shepherd color?
Red merles are far less common than blue merles because the red-colored gene is recessive in dogs, meaning both parents have to have it for their offspring to inherit the coat. Red is the rarest color in Aussies generally, although the red merle coat is one of the more common red-colored coats in the breed.
How much is a white Australian Shepherd?
The average price of the Australian Shepherd ranges from $650 to $850 However, an Aussie can cost anywhere between $300 to $1,800+ USD depending on
breeder reputation
, coat colors, pedigree and location. Australian Shepherds are not the cheapest dog breed available, but they’re not terribly expensive either.
What is a lethal white Aussie?
The original breeders of Australian Shepherds were ranch people with horses and dogs. The lethal white term refers to certain Paint colts that are born with a defective intestine and are unable to digest their food These white foals with blue eyes generally die of colic within hours or a few days of birth.
What is a lethal white dog?
When referring to a dog that is predominantly white, they are appropriately termed as
pattern white
or Double Merle. Lethal White is a term used for foals that are born white, usually die shortly after birth, have vision and hearing problems, and are not capable of growing and developing normally.
Do Australian Shepherds like to cuddle?
While Australian Shepherds can be very affectionate, loving, and cuddly dogs with their family members, they may not act the same way at all with someone they don’t know. This dog will enjoy snuggling with the people he trusts.
Why do Australian Shepherd have no tail?
The natural bobbed tail is a recessive gene within the Australian Shepherd dog breed genetic code This genetic mutation curbs the tail, naturally creating a shortened tail that is only about one or two vertebrae in length.
What is a mismarked Aussie?
Dogs with excess white markings , sometimes referred to as mismarks, or over-marked. Australian Shepherds with too much white are usually healthy(exceptions noted below). There are entire breeds that allow far more white than typical of Aussies.
What is the most popular Aussie color?
The black tri Australian Shepherd is one of the most popular coat colors of the whole Australian Shepherd breed. Since black is the dominant color, their eyes are still light to dark brown.
What is a Harlequin Australian Shepherd?
In other words, a “Harlequin Merle” is simply a beautiful and unusual variation of the more common Merle color pattern When a Merle Aussie possesses the Harlequin gene, the already uniquely beautiful Merle coat pattern becomes even more “exciting”.
Can Aussies be black and white?
Australian Shepherd dogs are known for their gorgeous coats, and the Black and White Aussie is no exception Typically, the Black and White Aussie will have black markings on his face, back, and down his tail, with white over his muzzle, belly, chest, and paws.
How long do Australian Shepherds live?
Aussies are best suited for families with an active lifestyle and a large fenced yard. They need plenty of exercise and mental stimulation to prevent boredom. They can weigh between 35 and 70 pounds and have an average life span of 12-13 years.
What’s the most expensive dog?
A golden-haired Tibetan mastiff puppy has reportedly been sold for a whopping $2 million in China, potentially making it the world’s most expensive dog.
Are Aussies blind?
Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) is an inherited disease in which the eyes are genetically programmed to go blind. Unfortunately, Australian Shepherds are a bit more likely than other dogs to have this condition.
Do Australian Shepherds bark a lot?
Keep in mind the average Australian Shepherd tends to bark a lot , making it a little more challenging to get him to stop barking unless you give him the ‘speak’ command or there is a situation in which he needs to bark to alert you.
Is a blue merle Australian Shepherd rare?
Blue Merle Australian shepherds aren’t considered rare and are more common than Red Merle Aussies. The color patterns of a blue merle coat can vary. They may have a piebald or solid coat with black patches. They often have white markings, especially on the legs and face.
Can you breed a white dog with a merle?
If you plan to breed a dog with the merle gene, you should not breed it with another of similar genetic makeup If lucky, the dog will be colorful and healthy, but there is a substantial chance that the double merle gene offspring could be blind, deaf or both. In other words, don’t do it.
Are all white dogs with blue eyes deaf?
Blue eyes, resulting from an absence of pigment in the iris, is common with pigment-associated deafness but is not, in and of itself, an indication of deafness or the presence of a deafness gene; however, in several breeds (Dalmatian, English Setter, English Cocker Spaniel, Bull Terrier), dogs (and cats) with blue eyes.
What does double merle mean?
A double merle is created when two merle dogs are bred together It doesn’t matter what color merle or what breed they are. If two merle dogs are bred together, each puppy in the litter has a 25% chance of being born a double merle. A double merle inherits the merle gene twice.
Do Australian Shepherds shed?
As we’ve mentioned, Australian Shepherds do shed considerably They are a double-coated breed, so you can expect a healthy amount of year-round dog fur left in your home, and on your clothes. Because they are double-coated, they also have two periods of time each year where their fur sheds more considerably.
Are male or female Australian Shepherds better?
As you can tell, there are no major personality differences between female Australian Shepherds and their male counterparts Both genders have wonderful personalities that make them fit companions and family members. Choosing a male vs female Australian Shepherd is a matter of personal preference.
Are Tri color Australian Shepherds rare?
What is this? And to the whole Aussie breed, the red tri Australian Shepherd and red merle tri color Aussies can be considered as the rarest kind Although popular among breeders, both blue merle and red merle tri color Australian Shepherds are more exotic-looking and more difficult to breed.
What makes an Aussie a merle?
The breed standards state that Australian Shepherds can come in some combination of two basic body colors (black and liver), one pattern (merle), and two trim colors (white and tan.) Of these, the pattern merle is described as two “colors”: Blue merle and red (liver) merle.
Are Australian Shepherds easy to train?
With an Aussie’s boundless energy, channeling it into something constructive can do wonders for your dog. These dogs bond strongly with their families. Their loyalty with their intelligence and high energy makes them very easy to train.
Are Australian Shepherd smart?
The breed is considered highly intelligent and easy to train. Aussies are known for being especially eager to please their owners. True to their herding instincts, Aussies are very protective of their families and territory and will let you know if strangers approach, but they are not considered aggressive.
Are Australian Shepherds good with kids?
So, are Australian Shepherds good with kids? There are mixed reviews, but Australian Shepherds are generally great playmates for older children However, they’re known to try to herd small children by nipping at their heels. Still, with the right training and socialization, it can be avoided.
Do Australian Shepherds eyes stay blue?
At 5 weeks, their irises are a medium shade of gray and are darkening gradually. They are not the ice blue of the puppy above, whose eyes will remain blue Pups with eyes destined to be fairly light, such as amber, would have irises a lighter shade of gray than these.
Why can’t you breed two merle Australian Shepherds?
In a double merle, the marbling/lightening effect is doubled and the coat becomes predominantly white. Double merles also have a very high chance of being deaf, blind, or both because they lack pigment where it would normally be The pups that do not inherit the gene twice are “normal” dogs.
Can you breed a red merle Aussie to a blue merle Aussie?
There are NO OTHER CHOICES on the puppy applications for the breeder to mark on the registration documents at time of transfer of ownership. Breeding merle to merle is unacceptable as each puppy has a chance of being born blind & deaf as a result.
Can a double merle be black?
A double merle is one which is homozygous. That means it has two copies of the dominant M gene, so its genotype is MM. This impairs its ability to make pigment. Double merles are typically mostly white and have merle patches on the head and sometimes the body.
How can you tell if a dog is double merle?
Dogs with the double merle gene may be/have: All white in color, or have patches of merle/mottled coloring on the top half of their body – their head, back, and base of the tail. Light-colored paw pads. Have light blue, green or brown eyes, perhaps even eyes that are different colors.
Do merle Australian Shepherds have health problems?
While merle Australian shepherds are still prone to hip dysplasia, cataracts, and epilepsy, they’re relatively healthy Other big ones to look out for with Australian shepherds are hypothyroidism, Collie nose, and cancer. Australian shepherds are anything but rare.
Do Aussies pick one person?
The Australian Shepherd is not one of them. They, like some other animals, have their one chosen person , which is probably you if your dog sits on you all the time. When the Australian Shepherd chooses their person, they begin to exhibit loyalty towards you, even to an extreme degree.
Are Australian Shepherds good inside dogs?
If you are familiar with the breed, you probably know that they are famous for their abundant energy levels, and you may be wondering – are they good indoor dogs? Yes! Like most dogs, Aussies (and Mini Aussies) are active and outdoorsy, but still best suited to indoor living.
Why do Aussies greet you buy first?
It’s a sign of appeasement ! A dog will grin if it senses you his owner needs to be calmed down or when they are excited by greeting people or guests. Some Australian Shepherds grin so hard they sneeze, and they often wiggle their whole bodies with happiness.
Why do Aussies wiggle?
A: Australian Shepherds wiggle when they are happy or excited about something They also wiggle when they want something from you, such as cuddle time.
Why are Australian Shepherds so weird?
Australian Shepherds are truly amazing and unique dogs. Although they come in both mini and standard sizes, all Aussies were bred to be herding dogs. As a result, most of their quirks are centered around their genetic herding instincts and need for plenty of exercise and mental stimulation.
What are Aussies known for?
This handsome breed is actually an American dog, having originated in the western United States in the 1840s around the time of the Gold Rush. Aussies were bred by American sheepherders of Basque descent, and are known for being loyal, highly intelligent, and pretty darn funny.
Can I leave an Australian Shepherd Home Alone?
The bottom line. Australian Shepherds are bundles of fun, but they are also highly sensitive dogs. You should never leave an Aussie alone for more than four hours at a time , and try to make the most out of every day to prevent boredom and loneliness when they’re left to their own devices.
Are Australian Shepherds naturally Bobtailed?
The Bobtail Gene As mentioned, roughly 20% of all Australian Shepherds are born naturally bobtailed This specific gene to cause the genetic mutation is what’s called an “incomplete dominant gene.” It works similar to how Australian Shepherds come in merle colored coats.
Do Aussie puppies change color?
Some Australian shepherd puppies will change color This effect is uncommon and unpredictable, but an Aussie puppy can change colors. However, color changes are rare and can be due to age or spending time outside in the sun. They can also turn white in extreme cases.
How much does an Australian Shepherd puppy cost?
Depending on the breeder and availability in your area, an Australian Shepherd puppy can cost between $800-$1,800 and even be higher in some cases. On average, you can expect to pay around $1,000.
What should I look for when buying an Australian Shepherd puppy?
In a non-confrontational manner, tell breeders you are interested in the breed but want to learn more before you buy. Ask about things like temperament, grooming, activities, necessary training, as well as health When you get to health, ask what they know about common breed health issues.
Sources
https://www.hepper.com/australian-shepherd-colors/
https://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/lethal-white.html