This article was written by John Jackson and has been contributed by http://www.greatdogsite.com. For more information on the Australian Shepherd, please visit our page http://www.greatdogsite.com/breeds/details/Australian_Shepherd/.
First time owners of an Australian Shepherd, will notice the subtle differences in the coat when compared to the average dog.
When deciding to purchase an Australian Shepherd or any other breed of canine, many people go by the breed standards of what the animal should look like. One thing that future owners should note is that the standards do vary from individual clubs and registries. If you are interested in purchasing a show dog, do your research on the AKC's website to make sure your new pup will qualify with their official standards. As all standards vary, the AKC is generally the rule and not the exception.
The coat of the Australian Shepherds is very different from those of other dog breeds. Australian Shepherds in appearance vary in colors and markings. The markings on an Australian Shepherd puppy will not determine how the they will appear when the dog is an adult. Breeders however, can determine the color of the Australian Shepherd by mating specific dogs together.
The most common colors in the coat of an Australian Shepherd are white, black, blue and red. Sometimes the coat can also come in Merle. The term Merle is used for color combinations that have a solid base color such as blue, red or black. This gives some Australian Shepherds the appearance of speckles on the coat. The markings of the Australian Shepherd vary in size, shape and color, and the distinctive markings and colors of the coat lend the dog a striking appearance.
When choosing an Australian Shepherd, there are other facts to consider than just the coloring of the coat. Future owners should also consider the length and texture of the coat. The coat of an Australian Shepherd is generally medium in length. The undercoat of the breed varies from dog to dog, depending on the climate that the Australian Shepherd lives in. Dogs that live in a cold climate will have a thick and dense undercoat, while dogs that live in a warmer region will have a lighter undercoat. The hair on an Australian Shepherd can be somewhat wavy to straight, and the coat is also extremely water resistance.
The length of hair on the body on an Australian Shepherd will vary. The hair on the head is smooth, with the exception of the ears that have long tufts of fur. The front of the legs are also covered in shorter hair. The legs on the back of the Australian Shepherd are long and this causes the hair to have a feathered effect. The mane of the breed can be moderate to full, and females tend to have a more pronounced mane when compared to males.
The Australian Shepherd is a popular choice for dog owners when choosing a pet, because the coat comes in a wide variety of colors and markings. The Australian Shepherd has become a very popular dog breed, due to its wide array of coat colors. It's also popular because of it's wonderful nature, easy trainability and intelligence.
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