They can even have “split” eyes, in which half the eye is one color and the other half is a different color! However, you should avoid purchasing a completely white Australian Shepherd puppy or adult rescue dog. The white coloration is genetically linked to blindness and deafness in the breed.
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.
Are all white Aussies 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.
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.
What does a mismarked Aussie look like?
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 a Harlequin Australian Shepherd?
Harlequin is a dominant modifier of the merle pattern When present, it allows the merle patches to vary in color from
lacy pale blue
or red to mid ranges of gray (or red in a harlequin red merle).
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.
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 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.
Do white dogs go blind?
As in white cats, the genes responsible for coat color, eye, and ear health are not causally linked, so white and albino dogs are not necessarily more likely to be born blind or deaf However, a rare genetic combination, known as “double merle,” does carry inherent health risks.
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.
What do breeders do with deaf puppies?
Responsible breeders NEVER knowingly sell, place or give away deaf pups to pet homes [ALL] Deaf pups should ALWAYS be humanely destroyed by a veterinarian. In the event that a deaf pup is inadvertently placed, it should be replaced with a hearing pup.
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.
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 is the most expensive dog in the world?
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.
Do all Australian Shepherds have blue eyes?
They often have two different colored eyes. 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.
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.
What is a dilute Aussie?
THE DILUTION GENE. Commonly called the Maltese dilution, or MLPH, this recessive gene is one of the most common mismarks in Aussies It acts on black and liver hair; tan points are unaffected. A black dog becomes a slate blue like a blue Dobe. A red dog becomes a beige like a Weimaraner.
Are Tri color Australian Shepherds rare?
What is this? While black tri and blue merle tri color Australian Shepherds are the two most common and popular coat colors among the four tri color combinations. And to the whole Aussie breed, the red tri Australian Shepherd and red merle tri color Aussies can be considered as the rarest kind.
Can you breed two tri color Aussies?
When breeding two tri’s together the result is all tri’s because both parents are tri/tri on the gene scale & only have tri genes to offer making all of the puppies tri’s. The biggest myth is to breed two merle’s together to get all merle’s. If it were that easy everyone would do it.
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 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.
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.
Why are white dogs more prone to deafness?
Dogs that carry the piebald gene (affects the distribution and amount of white color) are often affected by deafness. Piebaldism is the result of the absence of melanocytes, the cells that create the pigment melanin.
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.
Why are merle dogs more expensive?
In a nutshell, merle dogs are expensive because puppy buyers are willing to pay a lot of money for them The pattern is very sought-after, and the more demand there is, the higher breeders can set their prices. In addition, merle breedings can be quite rare in some breeds.
Can you breed a mismarked Aussie?
When bred, the mate could be a silent carrier of the gene multiplying it in the puppies. We are responsible for the puppies we produce, and intentionally breeding a dog that could produce deaf and blind puppies is an injustice to the puppies produced. It’s inhumane. Please don’t breed mismarked Aussies!.
Is my Aussie purebred?
Look for folded ears Overall, they should reach down to, or slightly past, the pivot area of the lower jaw. There is some debate about whether an Aussie should have folded or upright ears. While show dogs are required to have folded ears, there are many purebred dogs that have upright, or pricked, ears.
What is a cryptic merle Aussie?
Cryptic merles are either liver or black, usually with one or a few small areas of merle However, since you can’t see what color coat would have been anywhere there are white markings, there will be some cryptics which appear to be non-merle.
What is a Phantom merle?
A phantom merle or cryptic merle is one with such small patches of merle—or none at all—that it appears to be a non-merle This is commonly seen in dogs who are recessive red, clear recessive reds in particular, though patches can still be seen in certain red dogs.
Is merle and harlequin the same?
Harlequin dogs have white between the darker patches of merle Merle dogs often look “marbled.” They have grey coloration alongside black spots. Harlequin dogs also have the merle gene. However, instead of the larger grey patches, their harlequin gene makes their base coat entirely white.
What is an atypical merle?
Atypical merle dogs can have several different changes to their coat including reddish undertones, diluted coat color, or other anomalies Classic merle dogs have large, irregularly shaped fully pigmented regions separated by areas of diluted coat color.
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.
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.
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.
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.
How do you pick an Australian Shepherd?
Examine your lifestyle, your home and the amount of time you have available to devote to a dog If you live in a small city apartment, selecting an Australian shepherd bred for herding instincts may result in problems — a dog bred for companionship may be a better choice.
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.
What color do dogs see humans?
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.
Are white dogs less healthy?
Still, you may be interested to know that albinism in dogs has been shown to correlate to a much higher risk of certain health problems, including skin cancer Likewise, studies have shown that pigmented white dog breeds are at higher risk of deafness, as well as skin issues, including increased risk of sunburn.
Are white dogs more prone to allergies?
Whereas white dogs have a complete lack of pigment production. White dogs can be more prone to allergies Dogs with white coats experience mo sun damage to their skin and therefore are at a higher risk of developing skin cancers that res t from sun exposure. There are many causes of skin issues in dogs.
Citations
http://www.lazydranchaussies.com/Policies.html
https://www.lethalwhites.com/patternwhite.html
http://www.magicalworldoflethalwhites.freeservers.com/about.html
https://www.hepper.com/australian-shepherd-colors/