It’s not so much a specific color, but rather a recessive mutation that causes the colors on a coat to be a different shade, typically lighter. the eyes must be fully surrounded by color and pigment. Blue merle looks like splashes of black against a gray or powder blue background. But her fur is not anywhere as thick as any of the pictures I’ve seen. In some cases, a mahogany red can also be found, though not typical. The breeder says he’s a Merle. This can occur in all of the main color categories of the Australian Shepherd. The four versions of the black-coated Aussie are: tri-color, black bi, black and tan and solid black. Some may still classify such a dog as a solid black Australian Shepherd, despite the white marking. One of the best things about the Aussie is the color combination of their eyes. He is a double cryptic merle that is actually a deep purple color in some places. They don’t look like your typical Aussie, but this color combination has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. A parent carries Merle gene, but they haven’t produced a Merle puppy yet. The black spots and patches on a blue merle Aussie will likely become slate colored instead. The Blue Merle Australian Shepherd has, perhaps, the most unique color combination among the four basic colors. Here is the list of tri-colored Australian shepherds, depending on the colors: 1. Sometimes an Aussie will have just a hint of white on their chest. Note: guard hairs are the outer layer of the dog’s coat, which protects their skin. The brown colored eyes of the black Aussie can come in different shades of brown. Also called the “Maltese dilution” or MLPH for short, the dilute color is a recessive gene that’s become one of the most common non-standard color on Aussies. However, i’d argue that they’re just as great as any Aussie. Australian Shepherds are vulnerable to the merle gene. All of which, are distinct in their own right. Presumably because they’re just not as interesting as all the other color variations of this breed. The only similarity is the consistency of the copper/tan highlights on both dogs. So far his coat is black and white! Some red Australian Shepherds come in only red and white, as seen above. CafePress makes the perfect Tri Color Australian Shepherd Pet Apparel for your pup. It’s relatively difficult to find a non-standard Aussie today. Breed Standard PDF Created January 15, 1977: Revised June 01, 2013. Black-colored Australian Shepherds come in four variations, all with different markings. We call her the "easy baby" because she'll do absolutely anything you ask her to. For example, a blue eyed Aussie may have brown highlights and vice versa. A red tri Aussie has a base of red, which ranges anywhere from light cinnamon to a dark liver color. As a result, they’re considered the second most popular variation among blue merles. Because this gene is still circulating within the breed gene pool, these colors still come up from time to time. These dogs have a base coat of the blue merle color, which is essentially black spots on a gray coat. As the name suggests, blue merle & white Aussies have two colors on their body – blue merle and white. Black, Blue Merle, Red, and Red Merle. Also, for the Australian Shepherd eye color change exists--meaning the two eyes can be different colors, or … However, like the blue merle counterpart, they tend to have a “marbled” look in their eyes. 5 They also have copper highlights usually seen on the face and legs only. In other cases, there are even black Aussies with hazel-colored eyes (brown and green) with brown being the dominant color. With this color scheme, they look like a leaner version of the Bernese Mountain Dog. However, it’s all in the detail. Any other colors outside these four are considered mongrel dogs (mixed with other breeds). Some would have a combination of the colors too. 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. Australian Shepherd Colors Red Tricolor and Bicolor.  =  Aussies might have any combination of brown, blue, hazel, amber, … Many people can make the argument that solid red merles are actually red merle/white Aussies. This means that an Australian Shepherd showing these colors will need both parents to carry this specific color gene. Red Australian Shepherds come in three variations. This is another popular version of blue merle Aussies. Show off your family is getting an addition with our unique big brother dog shirts and big sister dog shirts. Merle is the dominant gene while solid is recessive. What’s ironic is that the solid red Australian Shepherd may be the most unique of them all (because they’re rare!). Especially if they get to burn off energy at the same time. The dilute Aussie has a slightly lighter slate nose. Red merle makes up this base coat for this color combination. I have a Female Black-tri Aussie with one blue eye and one amber /w blue. Highlights such as copper aren’t affected. Color & Marking Description: Color and Markings for your breed. There’s no surprise they’re the 17th most popular dog breed in the United States. However, there will be instances where the eyes contain specks of other colors. However, every black Aussie may vary in the location and amount of a certain color. The gray can range anywhere between silver to a dark smoke-like gray, whereas the black spots can be small specks or large patches. Red Aussies tend to have amber colored eyes that surprisingly match their coats very well. ?????? Although these four colors are the main color groups, each group has several variations. Still, they may be classified as Red and White dogs due to the minimal tan coloring. In other words, they’re the Rottweilers of black Aussies. A good example of this would be the colors sable and yellow. The tri-colored black coat, as described above, is not the only possible combination of black Australian Shepherds. Australian Shepherds Excel at Agility Challenges Too. As a result, breeders started a selection process and began breeding only colors and patterns that were officially recognized. A blue merle & white Aussies have blue merle as its base coat and have white markings. This gene will restrict the dog’s pigment on a coat, but not the nose. Australian Shepherd coat patterns come in solid and merle. The puppy’s nose is black and spotted. −  To verify a dog with this gene, you’ll need to examine the guard hairs of the Aussie. Can an Aussie be black and white with brown on sides of face and head and some brown on top of legs, also the ears, one up one down? 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.) Some patches are darker. As of a result, this creates a “blue effect,” hence the name – blue merle. Red merles also have blue and brown eyes. The black tri Australian Shepherd is one of the most common and basic colors combination of this dog. Personally, this is my favorite combination of the black. They’re as robust as any other color. Click to e-mail one of our volunteer experts with color questions. The puppy on the left is a dilute dog. Sometimes, the base color of the red merle may look very similar to white. hi, I think I have a very rare colored Aussie. All of which, are traits that make them some of the best companion family dogs. In fact, Aussies have four officially recognized coat colors with several variations within each color. Mother with pups. For example, you would have seen Aussies with brindle, sable, piebald, in addition to yellow and dilute coats. They also have copper highlights on the face and legs. These are all distinct genetic traits and breeders need to understand how they are inherited. For example, Black Australian Shepherds will become a slate blue – similar to a blue Doberman Pinscher. The Australian shepherd coat comes in four colors: blue merle, red merle, solid black and solid liver brown, called “red” in this breed. The blue merle is overlapped with markings of white and copper around the face, legs, chest and belly. With that said, what are the most common non-standard colors seen in Australian Shepherds? Jun 14, 2020 - Explore Thea Kimpel's board "Australian shepherd colors" on Pinterest. Although uncommon, it’s not unusual to see one with copper highlights on the chest as well. They have a range of coat markings that fit into four categories. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. RECOMMENDED: Smart Owner’s Guide to Australian Shepherds. Gait: The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. This color only affects black and liver-colored hair. Disqualifications - White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters in all colors. It’s rather difficult to tell apart a red merle tri color and a red merle and white. Australian Shepherds are loyal, affectionate and serious workers. The spots can vary in both shape and size, but are always over a gray background. Merle is the mottled blend of the dog's color (black or red) to a near white or white. The Aussies tan dogs are often mistaken for huskies at an Aussiedoodle that has apricot coloring the coat! Blue merle and white scheme, they ’ ve seen range from a near. The parents are red merle and red merle and red ( liver ) merle name – merle... 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