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Australian Shepherd Colors & Markings Explained

Australian Shepherds are known for their striking and unique coat colors and markings. In this article, we’ll explore the different colors and markings of this breed, as well as how genetics play a role in determining coat color. So, let’s dive in!

australian shepherd coat color & markings

Australian Shepherd Coat Colors

Australian Shepherds come in a wide range of coat colors, with some of the most common being:

Black

Black is a dominant color in Australian Shepherds, and it can range from solid black to black with white markings. Some Australian Shepherds may also have tan or copper points.

Red

Red is another dominant color in Australian Shepherds, and it can range from light cinnamon to a deep mahogany. Like black, some Australian Shepherds may also have white markings and tan or copper points.

Blue Merle

Blue merle is a popular color in Australian Shepherds, characterized by a mottled gray-blue coat with black spots. This color is the result of a dominant gene that causes the merle pattern. Some blue merle Australian Shepherds may also have tan or copper points.

Red Merle

Red merle is similar to blue merle, but with a red base coat instead of a blue-gray one. The red merle pattern is also the result of a dominant gene that causes the merle pattern, and some red merle Australian Shepherds may also have tan or copper points.

Other Colors

In addition to the above colors, Australian Shepherds can also come in other colors, such as:

  • Sable
  • White
  • Brindle
  • Chocolate
  • Lilac

It’s important to note that some of these colors may not be recognized by certain breed standards.

Australian Shepherd Markings

In addition to coat color, Australian Shepherds can also have a range of markings. Some of the most common markings include:

White Markings

White markings can appear on the chest, legs, belly, face, and neck of an Australian Shepherd. These markings can range from a small patch to a large blaze, and they can be solid or mixed with the dog’s base color.

Tan or Copper Points

Tan or copper points are most commonly seen on Australian Shepherds with a black or red base coat. These points appear on the dog’s face, legs, chest, and underbelly. They can range from a light tan to a deep copper color.

Merle Pattern

The merle pattern is a unique and striking pattern that is characterized by patches of lighter color on a darker base coat. This pattern can appear in blue merle and red merle Australian Shepherds.

Bi-Color

A bi-color Australian Shepherd has two distinct colors, with one color covering most of the body and the other color appearing on the dog’s face, legs, chest, and underbelly.

Tri-Color

A tri-color Australian Shepherd has three distinct colors, with one color covering most of the body, another color appearing on the dog’s face and legs, and a third color appearing as white markings.

One crucial thing to know about merles!

Merles should never be bred with other merles. This will result in some of the puppies inheriting two merle genes, also known as double merles. These pups will grow up with severe health complications and will nearly always die young.

Coat Color Chart

Here’s a useful coat color chart highlighting the basic 16-color coat combinations that are possible with red or black coat colors and solid or merle markings.

Image Source

Genetics of Coat Color in Australian Shepherds

The genetics of coat color in Australian Shepherds is a fascinating subject and one that’s admitidely a little difficult to understand… But i’ll give it a shot at explaining it.

Coat color is determined by gene pairs, with each gene coming from one parent. The most important genes that determine coat color in Australian Shepherds are:

B Locus

The B locus determines the presence of black pigment in the coat.

There are two variants of this gene:

  • B (black) is dominant and causes the dog to have a black coat.
  • b (brown) is recessive and causes the dog to have a brown coat.

E Locus

The E locus determines the amount of pigment produced by the dog’s skin and hair follicles.

There are four variants of this gene:

  • E (normal) is dominant and allows for normal production of pigment.
  • e^1 (yellow) is recessive and causes the dog to have a yellow or cream-colored coat.
  • e^2 (fawn) is recessive and causes the dog to have a light tan or fawn-colored coat.
  • e^3 (gray) is recessive and causes the dog to have a gray or blue-gray coat.

A Locus

The A locus determines the distribution of black pigment in the coat.

There are four variants of this gene:

  • A (agouti) is dominant and causes the dog to have a coat with banded hairs, such as a sable coat.
  • a^t (tan-point) is recessive and causes the dog to have a coat with tan or copper points.
  • a^w (white-spotting) is dominant and causes the dog to have white markings.
  • a^y (yellow) is recessive and causes the dog to have a solid yellow or cream-colored coat.

M Locus

The M locus determines the merle pattern.

There are two variants of this gene:

  • M (merle) is dominant and causes the dog to have a merle pattern.
  • m (non-merle) is recessive and causes the dog to have a solid coat color without the merle pattern.

By understanding the genetics of coat color in Australian Shepherds, breeders can make informed decisions about which dogs to breed to produce desired coat colors in future litters.

Recessive Genes and Future Coat Color

Recessive genes play a crucial role in determining the coat color of future offspring. For example, let’s say a black Australian Shepherd with a recessive brown gene (bb) is bred to another black Australian Shepherd with the same genotype (bb). Each parent can only pass on one gene to their offspring, so all of their puppies will inherit one recessive brown gene from each parent (bb).

In this scenario, all of the puppies in the litter will be black, but they will all carry the recessive brown gene. If two of these puppies with the recessive brown gene are bred together, they have a 25% chance of producing a brown puppy (bb).

This is just one example of how recessive genes can affect future coat color. It’s important for breeders to understand the genetics of coat color in order to make informed breeding decisions and produce healthy, happy puppies with desirable coat colors.

Last thoughts

Australian Shepherds come in a wide range of coat colors and markings, each with their own unique characteristics.

By understanding the genetics of coat color, breeders can make informed decisions to produce desired coat colors in future litters.

Whether you prefer a black and white bi-color or a striking blue merle with copper points, there’s an Australian Shepherd coat color and marking combination for everyone.

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Disclaimer

Before making any decisions that could affect the health and/or safety of your dog, you should always consult a trained veterinarian in your local area. Even though this content may have been written/reviewed by a trained veterinarian, our advice to you is to always consult your own local veterinarian in person. Please read our full dislcaimer if you have any questions.