Animal Research Foundation - Australian Shepherd Blue Heeler Standard

AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERD BLUE HEELER
BREED STANDARD

By Mr. & Mrs. Don R. Breazeale

[The ARF Australian Breed Standard was written by Mr. and Mrs. Don R. Breazeale, pioneer breeders of the “Australian Shepherd Blue Heeler”. This Standard was adopted and published in the 1959-1960 Winter Edition of the “Stodghill’s Animal Research Magazine”.]

An Australian Shepherds Blue Heeler is a medium sized, strongly built, active dog. He is affectionate, intelligent, naturally obedient, not quarrelsome or possessive, but of great courage and extremely faithful. He is not easily excitable and is usually dignified in manner. A natural born working dog, first used to herd sheep, but now mostly for cattle as they are natural low heelers. They also work ducks, chickens and hogs.

The Australian Shepherd Blue Heeler has the stamina and courage it takes to pen the wildest cattle. They are also valuable as guard and watchdogs.

HEAD: Medium length, skull medium width between the ears.
NOSE: Medium length.
JAWS: Medium size and strong.
TEETH: Strong; scissor bite.
EYES: Medium size, prominent. Glass eyes; desirable to have one glass eye and one brown. Eyes express good humor, faithfulness and confidence.
EARS: Medium size, wide apart, about even with the top of the head; hang over on the side of head when dog is relaxed. Up a little when dog is alert.
NECK: Should be strong and well muscled.
BODY: Ribs well sprung apart.
CHEST: Broad and deep; perfect balance.
LOINS: Strong and deep; flanks should be even and smooth, not tucked up. DEWCLAWS: Are very desirable.
COAT: Hair is fine, soft medium length, glossy and repels water. May be straight or slightly curly.
COLOR: Body blue with a white stripe down head and white legs. May have white over back which would be called a belt. Also, may be blue all over with black spots among blue with no white. May not be too prominent with black. Absolutely no solid blacks. Most desirable is blue with white markings. May have brown accents on head. Blue Rone is also desirable.
HEIGHT: Not less than 17 inches or over 21 inches at the withers.
WEIGHT: Not less than 25 pounds or over 40 pounds. Most desirable is 30 pounds and 18 inches high.
TAIL: Should be on level with body. Always natural bob-tail. Long tails are permissible but not desirable and should be cut off.

Note to the reader: Since the 1840’s, or ever since the Australian Shepherd was imported to America, the original Australian Shepherd has been crossed with many other noted canines, i. e., the English Shepherd, the Border Collie, the McNabb, etc.; therefore, the original dogs that came to America from Australia are not the same dogs as we know them today. As a result of all the out-cross breeding, today’s breed Standard is not what it was forty years ago. Therefore, the breed Standard that has been adopted by AKC, in 1993, was created by the Australian Shepherd Club of the United States, a very small group of enthusiasts that came out of the Australian Shepherd Club of America, organized in 1957.

For additional information on the Australian Shepherd, see “Origin of the Australian Shepherd”, by Tom D. Stodghill (1903-1989), ARF Genealogist.

Al Walker, ARF Genealogist & Registrar, Quinlan, Texas