DOG OF THE MONTH
AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS
SKYLER - MIKE EAMES
Hello, my name is Skyler, a black tri colored Australian Shepherd. I was born
January 7th 2003 and moved in with my human, Mike, a short six weeks
later. I was about the size of my humans shoe at that time and liked to sleep
on them until the day I thought that one of them tasted good. After that my
human and his brothers, parents and friends never let me near them. Now I am 4
human years old and have calmed down a bit in the past year. I am not a crazy
puppy anymore, but I still have way more energy than my human friends. Some
people say that I am small, but I don’t let the big dogs intimidate me.
I love to do many
things like going for walks, car rides, visiting my human’s mom and grandma, as
well as just hanging out on the back porch and protecting the place from stray
cats, squirrels and birds. I like to do this the most when it is not too hot
outside. I don’t love the heat and spend less time outside then, but the fall
and winter is the time for me and I could stay outside for hours. I only come
in when I get bored; I don’t understand why my human friends don’t want to stay
out with me in the cold. I also love a good snow. I bury my head in it, roll
around in it and when someone throws the stuff, I love to try to catch it.
I love to spend
time with people, especially those who like me to do tricks and feed me. I can
get almost anyone to give me treats, take me for walks or pet my head. I don’t
like it when I want these things and people want to ignore me. I usually win by
being persistent. The humans often pretend not to understand me or what I want
and tell me to speak English. What do they think I am? I just look at them and
bark. One of their other tricks is trying to spell things like W-A-L-K. They
say I think he wants to take his walk, or spell it. Of course I go crazy; it is
the only way they seem to understand. When I do that I am saying yes. After
four years of doing this they are finally catching on. I usually get whatever
it is that I want. This means walks, treats, getting to go for rides or play
with my toys. I can also lead them right to the treats and make them get them
for me by doing a few tricks.
Did I forget to
mention that I like to do everything at the same time each day? I like to wake
up at the same time (at least make sure humans are up), go for walks in the
morning after breakfast and before going to bed at about the same time every
day. If the humans forget, I have to remind them. This is when they start to
spell. If Mike goes to work without me it is ok because I cannot go there, but
if he leaves after coming home I usually dance around and bark to let him know I
want to go (90% of the time I get to go).
I really like to
go the one of the farms, or parks where I have room to run and things to chase
(herd). We do that once and awhile, this is about my favorite thing to do.
These are the main things I like to do and would love to write more, but my paws
make it hard to type and I am ready to take a nap. My humans have gone to work
for the day and now I am just hanging around the house with the cats and they
don’t like to play very often so I am going to take a nap until the mail gets
here and I can get the mail lady to get off of my porch. Soon after than, I can
welcome home anyone that comes and get a lot of attention, so for now I have to
go take a nap and wait for the excitement to happen later.
A Happy Aussie,
Skyler
Back
sable - mary ellen patterson
Sable Painted Arrow was born
on May 17th, 2000, a Red Tri female. She is descendant of Sire - Chevreherd Cain Muggabugs (Black Tri) and Dam - Jubilee Shiloh of Passion (Red
and White)
She is 21 inches in height and
weighs 51 pounds. Her nature is that of loyal companion, high energy,
intelligent, agile, and with strong herding tendency. She is a dominant dog, but friendly, eager, and without being shy. She was born a natural
bobbed tail.
Sable was socialized from
early puppyhood in obedience classes, and currently works at advanced levels.
She is versatile and shows natural ability for agility, rally, or most anything
I want to teach her.
Her most outstanding quality
to me is acting as hearing dog to my severe hearing loss. She gives the
world of sound back to me through her unfailing alertness to our surroundings.
Back
Sophie and
Nellie - Mary Ann Stuart
Carbaugh’s Blue Velvet Nellie
CGC and Stuart’s Little Process Sophie were born on 8/13/98 of sire Starks’
Dakota Red and dam Starks’ Kansas Pretty. I had lost my beloved Australian
Shepherd/Australian Cattle dog cross in September of 1998. A couple days later,
my grandmother heard about a litter of Australian Shepherd puppies that were
available. After placing a call to the breeder and learning that their
“grandma’s” name was Callie, we knew that at least one of these pups was meant
for us. We went to see the puppies, and being unable to decide between the two
available females in the litter, we decided to take both of them. On 9/26/98
Sophie & Nellie came home with us to become part of our family.
Sophie & Nellie are typical
aussies in many ways, full of energy, loyal, protective, very intelligent, and
friendly, yet leery of strangers. And of course there’s the herding instinct-
Sophie & Nellie love herding me down the stairs when they want something or to
the phone when it’s ringing. Let me tell you, it’s a wonder I
haven’t fallen and broken my neck as they run circles around me as I’m going
down the stairs.
Sophie & Nellie have gone
through years of obedience training, but I’m yet to get a title on them. They
can do a perfect Novice exercise- if they choose to. (I’m a little soft as a
mom.) When my schedule allows, I do plan on going to some competitions to try
and get some titles on them, but for now, their Canine Good Citizen title is
enough for me.
They are also both registered
through Therapy Dogs International, and they love going out and doing therapy
work, which we typically do about once a week. Right now, they visit the
Community Hospital of Ottawa, Adult Day Care in Ottawa, Illinois Valley
Community Hospital, and Friendship Village outside of Ottawa. They also attend
the Kennel Club’s monthly Paws for Reading program.
Sophie and Nellie are both
well-traveled dogs and have gotten to experience a lot of things most dogs don’t
get to. Last fall we drove out to visit family in Arizona, and on the way home
they were the guests of honor at a tour of Fantastic Caverns in Missouri. We
were the first to board the tour, and we got to ride in the front truck. We
make annual trips to Gettysburg PA, and they are welcomed with open arms at the
hotel we stay at. While there, they have been on Battlefield tours, ghosts
tours- even getting to visit the famous haunted Farnsworth house, and attended
the taping of a show for the Travel Channel.
Both Sophie & Nellie have been
on stage. Nellie appeared as Sandy in the Mendota Theater Group’s production of
Annie, and last spring they were both in Marquette High School’s production of
Annie- Nellie as Sandy, and Sophie as a stray.
At home,
Sophie and Nellie are pretty laid back. They do, however, love to entertain
guests with endless games of fetch. Nellie loves to get her belly rubbed, and
Sophie enjoys singing with Troy. Both also love chasing the stray cats out of
the yard, although they both have a little secret. They act like they’re big
and tough, but when it comes down to it- they’re scared of the cats. I’ve seen
them turn tail- well stubbie- and run away yelping when a mad momma cat came
after them. Shhh, don’t let them know I told you about that; they might be a
little embarrassed.
Some people think my girls are
spoiled, but to me they’re just part of the family.
Back
Australian Shepherd
Breed Standard
Herding Group
General Appearance
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent working dog of
strong herding and guarding instincts. He is a loyal
companion and has the stamina to work all day. He is well
balanced, slightly longer than tall, of medium size and
bone, with coloring that offers variety and individuality.
He is attentive and animated, lithe and agile, solid and
muscular without cloddiness. He has a coat of moderate
length and coarseness. He has a docked or natural bobbed
tail.
Size, Proportion, Substance
Size--The preferred height for males is 20-23 inches,
females 18-21 inches. Quality is not to be sacrificed in
favor of size. Proportion--Measuring from the
breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to
the ground the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than
tall. Substance--Solidly built with moderate bone.
Structure in the male reflects masculinity without
coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of
bone.
Head
The Head is clean cut, strong and dry. Overall size
should be in proportion to the body. The muzzle is equal in
length or slightly shorter than the back skull. Viewed from
the side the topline of the back skull and muzzle form
parallel planes, divided by a moderate, well-defined stop.
The muzzle tapers little from base to nose and is rounded at
the tip.
Expression --Showing attentiveness and intelligence,
alert and eager. Gaze should be keen but friendly. Eyes
are brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination
thereof, including flecks and marbling. Almond shaped, not
protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks have black
pigmentation on eye rims. The red merles and reds have liver
(brown) pigmentation on eye rims. Ears are
triangular, of moderate size and leather, set high on the
head. At full attention they break forward and over, or to
the side as a rose ear. Prick ears and hanging ears are
severe faults.
Skull Top flat to slightly domed. It may show a
slight occipital protuberance. Length and width are equal.
Moderate well-defined stop. Muzzle tapers little from
base to nose and is rounded at the tip.
Nose--Blue merles and blacks have black pigmentation
on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds have liver
(brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). On the merles
it is permissible to have small pink spots; however, they
should not exceed 25% of the nose on dogs over one year of
age, which is a serious fault. Teeth--A full
complement of strong white teeth should meet in a scissors
bite or may meet in a level bite. Disqualifications--Undershot.
Overshot greater than 1/8 inch. Loss of contact caused by
short center incisors in an otherwise correct bite shall not
be judged undershot. Teeth broken or missing by accident
shall not be penalized.
Neck, Topline, Body
Neck is strong, of moderate length, slightly arched
at the crest, fitting well into the shoulders. Topline--Back
is straight and strong, level and firm from withers to hip
joints. The croup is moderately sloped. Chest is not
broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow.
The ribs are well sprung and long, neither barrel chested
nor slab-sided. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up.
Tail is straight, docked or naturally bobbed, not to
exceed four inches in length.
Forequarters
Shoulders--Shoulder blades are long, flat, fairly
close set at the withers and well laid back. The upper arm,
which should be relatively the same length as the shoulder
blade, attaches at an approximate right angle to the
shoulder line with forelegs dropping straight, perpendicular
to the ground. Legs straight and strong. Bone is
strong, oval rather than round. Pastern is medium
length and very slightly sloped. Front dewclaws may be
removed. Feet are oval, compact with close knit, well
arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient.
Hindquarters
The width of the hindquarters is equal to the width of the
forequarters at the shoulders. The angulation of the pelvis
and upper thigh corresponds to the angulation of the
shoulder blade and upper arm, forming an approximate right
angle. Stifles are clearly defined, hock joints
moderately bent. The hocks are short, perpendicular to the
ground and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear.
Rear dewclaws must be removed. Feet are oval,
compact with close knit, well arched toes. Pads are thick
and resilient.
Coat
Hair is of medium texture, straight to wavy, weather
resistant and of medium length. The undercoat varies in
quantity with variations in climate. Hair is short and
smooth on the head, ears, front of forelegs and below the
hocks. Backs of forelegs and britches are moderately
feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more
pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Non-typical coats are
severe faults.
Color
Blue merle, black, red merle, red-all with or without white
markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of
preference. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed
the point of the withers at the skin. White is acceptable on
the neck (either in part or as a full collar), chest, legs,
muzzle underparts, blaze on head and white extension from
underpart up to four inches, measuring from a horizontal
line at the elbow. White on the head should not predominate,
and the eyes must be fully surrounded by color and pigment.
Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age.
Disqualifications White body splashes, which
means white on body between withers and tail, on sides
between elbows and back of hindquarters in all colors.
Gait
The Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free and easy gait. He
exhibits great agility of movement with a well-balanced,
ground covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and
parallel with the center line of the body. As speed
increases, the feet (front and rear) converge toward the
center line of gravity of the dog while the back remains
firm and level. The Australian Shepherd must be agile and
able to change direction or alter gait instantly.
Temperament
The Australian Shepherd is an intelligent, active dog with
an even disposition; he is good natured, seldom quarrelsome.
He may be somewhat reserved in initial meetings. Faults
Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely
penalized.
Disqualifications
Undershot. Overshot greater than 1/8 inch.
White body splashes, which means white on body between
withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of
hindquarters in all colors.
Approved May 14, 1991
Effective January 1, 1993
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