The American Kennel Club recognizes four
coat colors
for purebred Aussies: black,
blue merle
, red, and red merle Within these groups, AKC recognizes
different combinations
of markings, for a total of 14 different colors.
What is the rarest Aussie coat 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.
What is the most popular Aussie color?
1. Black Tri Australian Shepherds. The black tri Australian Shepherd is one of the most common and basic colors combination of this dog.
Do Aussies need coats?
Not only is it pretty to look at, but it also does a great job in protecting Aussies against the elements The australian shepherd coat is
double layered
. The outer coat is water repellent while the inner coat works as insulation to preserve
body heat
during colder months.
How often do you bathe an Australian Shepherd?
Dogs that have double or water-repellant coats, like Australian Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Akitas, Labrador Retrievers, and Newfoundlands, may only need baths every few months Bathing them more often than necessary can cause dry skin.
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 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.
What color dogs make a merle?
Merle is a distinguishing marking of several breeds, particularly the Australian Shepherd and Catahoula Leopard Dog , and appears in others, including the Koolie in Australia, the Shetland Sheepdog, various collie breeds, the Cardigan Welsh Corgi, the Pyrenean Shepherd and the Bergamasco Shepherd.
Can you breed a red merle with a black tri?
In a breeding where one parent is red, such as blue merle to red tri or red merle to black tri, we typically get more red’s in the litter, usually 70%, such as 3 red merle, 3 red tri, 1 black tri, & 1 blue merle.
What color eyes do Aussies have?
Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, or green eyes Some Aussies even display more than one color within the same eye.
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.
Do Aussies change color as they age?
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.
Can Aussies be out in the cold?
Australian Shepherds enjoy cold weather, but cannot live outside in it.
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.
Are Aussies double coated?
Double coated dogs like Golden Retrievers, Huskies, Border Collies, Pomeranians, and Australian Shepherds have two layers of fur The bottom layer, closest to the dogs skin, is very thick and dense. This layer is referred to as the “undercoat.” The top layer is stiffer and usually coarser.
Do Aussies have hair or fur?
What Type of Fur Do Australian Shepherds Have? The Australian Shepherd has a double coat that is designed to keep him warm in cold weather and cool during the heat of summer. The outer layer of guard hairs is straight, long and silky, lying close to the dog’s body.
Why is my Aussies hair curly?
The Cu Locus (Curly hair) impacts hair curl as a result of a DNA variant in the KRT71 gene which produces a form of keratin, a major structural component of hair The Cu C variant of KRT71 prevents keratin from binding together in a regular pattern which alters the structure of the hair and results in a curly coat.
What does red merle mean?
If you get a Red Merle Australian Shepherd, your dog will look one of a kind. The term “merle” means that the Aussie will have a marbled or freckled appearance It does not matter where the freckles are placed, as long as they are there.
What colors can dogs see?
Human eyes have three types of cones that can identify combinations of red, blue, and green. Dogs possess only two types of cones and can only discern blue and yellow – this limited color perception is called dichromatic vision.
Why do they dock Mini Aussie tails?
To Avoid Tail Damage ~ This is the most important reason for docking a tail. Australian Shepherds and Mini Aussies were raised in the rough Western areas of the United States, which, if you have never visited, have tough weeds, tall grasses, and plenty of other hazards.
Do Aussie dogs shed?
Australian Shepherds are average shedders , and their coat needs regular maintenance, including weekly brushing to keep it clean and prevent matting, and possibly trimming to keep it looking tidy.
Are yellow Aussies rare?
Yellow is probably the second most common nonstandard color in the Aussie breed Inherited as a recessive at the E locus, it restricts the dog’s body pigment and will obscure the tan point pattern if present. It often obscures merling in the heterozygous merle, though not always.
Do mini Aussies have a double coat?
Keeping your miniature Australian shepherd looking cute is all about tending to their fur. These are big shedders thanks to their double coats , so their fur requires some serious attention. To keep shedding under control, it’s essential to brush them often.
Sources
https://asca.org/the-australian-shepherd/about-aussies/health-and-genetics/color-coat/
https://spiritdogtraining.com/breeds/mini-aussie-colors/
https://www.australian-shepherd-lovers.com/my-aussie-has-a-thin-coat.html