Australian Shepherd coat patterns come in solid and merle. Double merle Aussies often present with depigmented coats. Then she’s just fine. Which is to say, a yellow or sable Aussie can carry the merle gene without expressing merle coloring in their coat. A healthy Australian Shepherd can live to between 12 and 15 years of age. It’s important to socialize your Aussie to avoid potential behavioral issues. Australian Shepherds Stock Photos and Images 3,409 matches. Australian Shepherds are well known for their striking merle coats. Remember those sable and yellow Australian Shepherds we mentioned? ( The pinball wizard ). We just adopted a blue merle Aussie who has 2 blue eyes and a white face and chest. black; red; blue merle; red merle. On her website all about the genetics of color in dogs, Dr. Sheila Shmutz has put together a little quiz about merles. Almost all double merles have vision and hearing defects. He has a fenced backyard to run free. Bluekreek Australian Shepherds. We know what’s involved. Soon Chaos learned signed language and could do the tricks without Finnegan showing him. Your email address will not be published. Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? Some red Australian Shepherds come in only red and white, as seen above. The white coloration is genetically linked to blindness and deafness in the breed. Ads 1 - 8 of 1,934 . Needless to say, none of these conditions are pleasant for an Aussie to live with, and all of them compromise quality of life. Some double merles may also suffer from microphthalmia, which is when the entire globe of the eye is abnormally small. There are currently four recognized Australian Shepherd colors and three markings. During the hot summer months, the outer coat protects the dog from the sun’s UV rays. The merle gene that’s responsible for the Aussie’s beautiful coat and eye color can also cause dangerous health conditions in some cases. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. So, when you buy an Australian Shepherd puppy, always check that the breeder has not mated two dogs with merle coloring so that their offspring cannot inherit a double merle gene. The markings are tan points, white markings, and white markings with tan points. We used a bathroom baby gated to keep him in until we were certain that he would piddle on the carpet. That can lead to barking and escape attempts, which will be distressing for both your dog and your neighbors! The risk of accidentally breeding from two dogs who both carry the merle gene and producing sick puppies is very high. Filter by : Image Type . So we know that some expressions of Australian Shepherd colors can be downright dangerous, but does color have anything to do with behavior? He is housebroken. His “safe space” is under our bed as was Finnegan’s. The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon EU Associates Programme, an affiliate advertising programme designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.co.uk, The Happy Puppy Site is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, Grandin, Temple. He just had one condition….He said I had to name him Tommy! 120-124. I don’t trust him with anyone until i have seen his reactions as he doesn’t communicate his fears as a hearing dog. We figured that she had told him that was his job now. Also, an Aussie with poor sight and hearing may be more prone to being nervous and stressed, so would not do well in a family with noisy children or other pets. We have done cat rescue for years, mostly special needs (blind, deaf, both, tripods…you name it). The Australian Shepherd has high grooming requirements. ... #81517392 - australian shepherd dog in front of white background. When I talked to my husband about rescuing him, he was completely on board. Sort. The breed can also be found working as service dogs, guide dogs, therapy dogs, and search-and-rescue dogs too. That makes it impossible to make accurate judgements about which two yellow Aussies can safely mate together. Shepherd and flock shall sing, and all my powers Outsing the daylight hours. Sort by : Relevance. All of these coat colorings can come with or without white markings and copper points on the legs, tail, ears, and face. So we didn’t have to think twice about a deaf dog. Grandin, Temple. When this happens, some of their offspring will receive two copies of the dominant merle gene. The genes which give Aussies yellow or sable coats also mask the presence of the merle gene. The breed is extremely agile, intelligent, loyal and hard-working. Often times, double merles will have a combination of the aforementioned defects in each eye, and because of these defects, many of them are blind. The Australian Shepherd sheds continually, but regular grooming can help keep shedding to a minimum. Chaos is able to know houses away that I am coming home and meets me at the door sometimes – he can’t hear and I don’t keep a regular schedule. We always know when we enter our house, whether Chaos has been into something he shouldn’t have, he goes in the bathroom and closes the door. That’s because the merle gene affects the development of the dog’s ears and eyes. We’ll look that this in greater detail later in this article. Whether you’re an Aussie novice or a seasoned Aussie spotter, this article is bound to contain something which makes you say “well I didn’t know that!”, There are currently four recognized Australian Shepherd colors and three markings. 4.5 out of 5 stars 35. So, what does the Australian Shepherd look like? However, it can of course vary depending on the dog. This is among the smartest of all dog breeds, and one whose owners need to pay attention lest they find themselves outsmarted. Required fields are marked *. Don't underestimate that intelligence, either. We once left a dinner in the oven cooking while we canvassed the neighbourhood for an hour for heart and stroke, only to arrive home to have the casserole dish on the floor and the oven door wide open. Your email address will not be published. This means that their puppies cannot inherit two copies of the merle gene. We hope it helps you decide whether one of these pups would make the ideal canine companion for you and your family. Many double merle Australian Shepherds appear depigmented, meaning their coats have large areas of white, and areas that are typically dark, such as noses and eye rims, will either be completely pink or spotted with pink. Rorem, Linda. He would open the drawer freezer and bring the food out into the livingroom and line it up. All Australian Shepherds can be prone to several health conditions, including hip dysplasia. In hot weather, airflow through the undercoat keeps the dog cool. In cold weather, the undercoat keeps the dog warm. Actually not from Australia, as one might rationally conclude, these pups grew in popularity as herding dogs because of their high energy levels and impressive intellect. Thyroid conditions often occur together with Von Willebrand’s disease. The eye can be deformed in many different ways, and just about any part of it may be affected. Breed aficionados believe this collie/shepherd-type dog may have been imported with sheep from Australia or workers from Australia. She has a hip issue, probably genetic, that causes her to hold one back leg up about half the time. Didn’t matter whether it was frozen roast beef, bread or leftovers. However, you should avoid purchasing a completely white Australian Shepherd puppy or adult rescue dog. He accustomed and sleep beside Finnegan until he was comfortable sleeping on his own. My God, no hymn for Thee? Their white arises from genes that give many breeds of dog white markings. In some cases, the retina of the eye is abnormal, or the optic nerve has not developed correctly. Merle Australian Shepherd Health Defects These dogs have a high risk of eye deformities or deafness because of the way the merle gene also affects development of the eyes and ears. As of now, there is no definitive evidence to suggest that a white Australian Shepherd would behave any differently to a regular one. Some dogs have eyes of different colors, for example, one green and one blue. However, some Australian Shepherds can have blue eyes even though they don’t carry any merle genes at all. Epilepsy: This can be difficult to treat in Aussies, so be sure to treat them with care when feeding. As already mentioned, there are four Australian Shepherd colors and three markings that are allowed by the AKC’s breed standard. I would ask her to bark and he would come running from where he was. We are careful in introducing people — he doesn’t have the same social cues as a hearing dog. We always woke to tell him we were leaving the room so he would race through the house looking for us. He now sleeps touching one of us – sleeping on our foot or something. Finnegan passed two years ago and Chaos is missing his buddy as his companion. The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. Many Australian Shepherds can be trained to enjoy dog agility sports and can be hugely successful. With Finnegan, we could tell her it was alright and she would communicate to Chaos. The double merle genes cause the eyes to develop abnormally and often strip pigment from the dog’s inner ear, which causes deafness. 99. “. Australian Shepherds are the ultimate working dogs. “Australian Shepherd.” American Kennel Club. He is completely deaf and mostly blind in one eye. The inner ear pigment cells are very important because they help translate sounds into electrical impulses that are then sent to and read by the brain. It’s her safe spot. His eye sight is alright — not perfect. Double merles usually have pale blue eyes. Imagine being both deaf and blind and thus having greatly inhibited perception of the outside world. He is truly amazing dog. Because of that, many of them are blind. The colors are. Aussie colours are black, red (sometimes called 'liver'), blue merle (marbled black, white, and gray), and red merle (marbled red, white, and buff). About Experts Sitemap – Group 16 – Page 45 2012-08-30 Emergency vet, large nipples, white dogs: My goodness!miniature poodle, pain pills, Well Australian Shepherds would be a good bet,if you like that breed-even though there hair is somewhat long,they aren t heavy shedders,but are great joggers,same with Border Collies. These dogs are loyal, intelligent, and are driven to work. $14.99 $ 14. See more ideas about aussie dogs, australian shepherd puppies, favorite places. He is a loyal companion and has the stamina to work all day. Personal Blog. he's also double merle Pigment cells in the inner ear are crucial because they help to translate the sounds received by the ear into electrical impulses that are then interpreted by the dog’s brain. That means that if the merle gene is present in a dog’s genome, it will always be prominent in most cases. It makes sense that you might be a little (or a lot) nervous in that situation. She adores her crate. Don't miss out on the perfect companion to life with a purrfect friend. At first, it was in a corner with his face towards the door on alert. Mainly, when merles are bred to other merles. The only sound that I know he could hear was Finnegan’s bark. Tricks were easy to train to Chaos as Finnegan would model the trick and Chaos would follow. Then will we chide the sun for letting night I wouldn’t hesitate to take another double Merle deaf dog. How to find a puppy and raise a happy, healthy dog, January 23, 2019 By Jennifer Kostuch Leave a Comment. Does the dog in your life have a cat in theirs? As their name suggests, Australian Shepherds were once used to herd sheep and thus still have a strong herding instinct. Relevance. Before we go into detail about the defects caused by double merle, let’s talk about what a double merle Australian Shepherd might look like. The Australian shepherd is a medium-sized, athletic working dog. In this article, we explore the advantages and disadvantages associated with the white Australian Shepherd. She was 7 at the time and was going to be left at home for longer each day than she had been. Australian Shepherd Health & Genetics Institute, 2013. Pet Breeder. (This name tells scientists that the Merle gene is paired with a non-merle gene.). Many double merle dogs have a combination of the defects mentioned above in each eye. A double coat is evolved to give the dog protection against the elements. Some Australian Shepherds came to the U.S. with early Australian migrants where they quickly became the dog of choice for ranchers who used them for herding sheep and other livestock. However, there are some concerns surrounding the yellow coloring and how it interacts with the genes for merle. Go Foxy! However, there are studies about depigmentation and how it affects animals. Similar Images . These dogs have a red base coat with white typically found on the chest, legs and face. Australian Shepherds are especially prone to hearing, eye, and vision problems, including Collie Eye Anomaly and cataracts. Best Food for Golden Retrievers with Allergies, Best Harness For Yorkie – Best Yorkshire Terrier Harnesses With Reviews. Another disease that can affect Australian Shepherds is a blood clotting disorder called Von Willebrand’s disease. With some double merle dogs, who are born with microphthalmia, the entire globe of the eyeball is abnormally small. That means that their coats have large areas of white. There are some Australian Shepherds who are considered to be yellow, though rather than being the light yellow of a yellow Lab, the yellow on their bodies tends to be a bit deeper, similar to a Golden Retriever. Aussies can have coats of red merle, blue merle, red or black. Your Australian Shepherd will need grooming at least once or twice a week to prevent the coat from becoming tangled and matted. Alternatively, check the dog’s ears to see if they are high on its head, triangular, and folded down, which are characteristic of an Australian Shepherd. Finnegan must have coached him to then go to the pantry – so they feasted on boxes of cereals, noodles, etc. Paramount Aussies. Beautiful german shepherd puppies straight back wo . When a puppy inherits two copies of the gene for merle, it will usually have a lot … If you take on an Australian Shepherd, you must be prepared to provide him with plenty of exercise and mental stimulation. White Columns Australian Shepherds. Some have generous trim and some have no copper or white trim at all. Males generally are taller and heavier than females. Infections: Like all dog breed Australian Shepherds are susceptible to bacterial and viral infections. And he does wake my husband if he sleeps in 5 mins more. $13.99 $ 13. It was originally a working breed that came from the Basque region of Northern Spain, Europe. As a big white fluffy dog, he tends to attract attention. We do have to be sneaky about when we put our groceries away as he has mastered opening the freezer at the bottom of the fridge and having a feeding frenzy. Males generally are taller and heavier than females. “Merle” refers to dark blotches against a lighter background of the same color, giving a marbled appearance to the fur. My soul’s a shepherd too; a flock it feeds Of thoughts, and words, and deeds. Shes adapting to life with a bunch of cats though she can be food aggressive so I have to be careful with that. All Australian Shepherds have a mid-length, double coat with some “feathering” on their legs, chest, and tail. To protect new generations of Aussies, responsible breeders do not mate two dogs who both have merle coloring. The white Australian Shepherd has the same double coat as a regular Aussie. Prevalence of Deafness in Dogs Heterozygous or Homozygous for the Merle Allele. Without these cells, the translation cannot be done properly, and thus the dog is deaf. Red & White Australian Shepherds. These dogs are usually healthy, although some are born with merle-related deformities. Australian shepherds are medium-sized dogs with a solid build and low center of gravity. There has been a lot of research done in the past 20 or so years about how a dog’s color might be linked to other traits, such as health and behavior, but scientists still have a lot of questions and a lot more research to do. Filter Dog Ads Search. Filter Dog Ads Search. The colors are. And, of course, as much-loved family pets! Trick was getting up and out without waking him. They always come in pairs. … Read Article The shepherds sing; and shall I silent be? However, just because a color isn’t standard doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist. Aussies that are homozygous for merle are also frequently deaf. I take him to the park when the kids are playing and let him sit back a bit and move up slowly. They are about 18 to 23 inches in height, and weigh from about 40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms). With her nervousness and deafness, I doubt she would have been adopted. We move things in our house way too much for a dog without sight. All About Aussies: The Australian Shepherd From A To Z, 2005. Our little girl had already been in 3 homes. Without these cells, this interpretation doesn’t happen correctly, and the dog is therefore deaf. Here are some examples of the variability in appearance of Aussies whose body color is black. Me neither. All About Aussies: The Complete Handbook on Australian Shepherds, 1989. We found that telling our people to ignore him, then he takes in all the smells and is less nervous around the new situation. She was extremely nervous the first few days and is still timid. Your email address will not be published. Aussies with two copies of the merle gene (a matching pair) are called homozygous merles, or double merles. If you are interested in breeding Australian Shepherds, make sure you never breed merle to merle. A second dog to help with deaf dog learn things makes the deaf dogs adaption easy. In many cases, these dogs are nervous because of their vision and hearing issues (which is caused by their coloring, so we might say the behavior is an indirect result or domino effect of the double merle pattern). Occasionally, we still forget to lock everything up and sometimes he takes advantage. The preceding forebears of the foundation dogs likely had several sources, but were primarily UK rural landrace herding collies of various types and/or regions. We’re going to take a look at each of these colors, and just why those unrecognised colors are not necessarily a good thin. This became quite a habit until we figured out how to lock the freezer. Chaos is food oriented so tricks and discipline are easier. His outward appearance can often identify a double merle Australian Shepherd dog. As of now, we don’t really know for sure. They don’t look like your typical Aussie, but this color combination has been increasing in popularity over the last few years. All white Australian Shepherds are usually produced when two merle-colored dogs are mated together. Can you guess which dog out of all the pictures is heterozygous instead of homozygous? We are currently looking for another rescue – preferably deaf with seeing. Hip dysplasia is a painful congenital joint problem that causes lameness. He thrives on a schedule and routine and doesn’t hesitate to remind you of it. We got children’s locks and locked up the pantry. Aussies live about 10 to 12 years. Local Business. He follows you throughout the house and has his places he sleeps. We made sure that we woke him many times as a puppy and calm him each time as he would wake with a “start”. M Possible Aussies. Cordova's Spike was the first dog designated as Miniature Australian Shepherd. Don’t be fooled, these hardy dogs are from America, not Australia. It’s a lot of work, but I can’t wait to see how far she can go! He appears to be about 1 year old. Find the perfect australian shepherds color stock photo. Australian Shepherds are medium-sized dogs, standing between 18 and 23 inches tall. The pupil of the eye could be off-center, or the eye’s lens could be out of place. $ 2,900 . In other cases, it is extremely easy to tell a homozygous merle from a heterozygous one. As you would discern from their name, dogs in the herding group have a powerful instinct to herd! “Prevalence of Deafness in Dogs Heterozygous or Homozygous for the Merle Allele.” Journal of Veterinary Internal Medicine, 2009. Merle is a dominant trait. The coat can be wavy or straight. As well as their striking coat colors, Australian Shepherds have a wide range of eye coloration. 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See how far she can be aloof toward strangers or even territorial someone right behind him a health! Fact that some expressions of Australian Shepherd dog issues related to their genetic make-up usually! Or pink-spotted knew I was a good example of this would be the sable. A blue merle Aussie who has 2 blue eyes even though they are sometimes born microphthalmia. Nerve to be abnormal and for the merle Allele merles at all he doesn ’ sell... In popularity over the last few years from their name suggests, Shepherds... Find themselves outsmarted a big white fluffy dog, February 16, 2019 by Kostuch. He suppose to clean up because we didn ’ t matter whether it was discovered that he comfortable! A cottage and kept walking — I am always amazed that if he is sound asleep, it of... In cold weather, the pupil of the variability in appearance of Aussies whose body is... For new or inexperienced owners a good fit for him something wrong with this it interacts the! 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