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TASAA Breed Standard
General
Appearance
The first impression of the Toy Australian Shepherd should be that of a standard sized Australian
Shepherd. The size range is from ten to fourteen inches. The ideal size being twelve inches, but quality should not be sacrificed
in favor of size. The general appearance should be that of a sturdy dog and must not appear to be either spindly or coarse.
The bone and muscle must be in proportion to, and an enhancement of, the dog’s weight and structure. Toy Australian
Shepherds should be slightly longer than they are tall and have a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring which
offers variety and individuality. They have a natural or docked bobbed tail. The alert, expressive eyes may be a verity of
colors with unique combinations. The head is in proportion to the size of the dog and the expressions reflect a high intelligence.
The width and length of the top skull should be equal. The muzzle should taper a little from base to nose and is rounded at
the tip. The ears are triangular and at full attention break forward and over.
Character
The Toy Australian Shepherd will be shown in the Herding group, but as a household pet they might never cross
paths with a farm animal. Nevertheless, instinct prompts many of these dogs to gently herd their owners. In general, these
intelligent dogs make excellent companions and respond beautifully to training. They are good-natured and even-tempered; may
initially be reserved with strangers yet make a very loyal companion. The Toy Aussie is an active dog with a happy and
even disposition, good-natured, seldom quarrelsome and responds with enthusiasm to the challenge and responsibility of having
a job to perform.
Size, Proportion, Substance
The size
range for the Toy Australian Shepherd is between ten and fourteen inches measured at the highest point of the withers. The
ideal size being around twelve inches, dogs or bitches below ten inches will be disqualified; any dog or bitch that is fourteen
inches will be considered a Miniature. Size consideration should never outweigh that of type, proportion, movement and temperament.
General appearance should be that of a sturdy dog and must not appear to be either spindly or coarse. The Toy Aussie is slightly
longer than tall. The length of the body from the point of the shoulder to the rear point of pelvis is longer than the
height of the body from ground to top of the withers. Disqualification: Under ten inches
Head
The
head is in proportion to the size of the dog and the expressions reflect their high intelligence. The width and length of
the top skull should be equal. The length of the muzzle should be equal to, or slightly less than, the length of the top skull.
The top skull should be flat to slightly round with a moderate, well-defined stop. The lower jaw should be evident when viewed
from the side and the flews should be tight. The muzzle should taper a little from the base to a rounded tip. Severe Faults
- An extreme domed head;
Faults - lacking bottom jaw, when viewed from the side
Ears
The ears are triangular and, at full attention, break forward and over. The ears set high on the head, are
of moderate size with the ideal length measured by bringing the tip of the ear around to the inside corner of the eye. Ears
may tip forward and over from 1⁄4 inch to 1⁄2 inch above the base with the forward edge slightly turning to the
cheek or to the side as a rose ear. The tip of the ear leather should be rounded.
Severe Faults - Hound ears that have
the absence of erectile power, lying close to the side of the head. - Prick ears (straight up).
Eyes/Expression
The eyes should show attentiveness and intelligence and be alert and eager. The gaze should be keen but friendly.
Eyes may be brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination thereof, including flecks and marbling; almond shaped; neither
protruding nor sunken. The blue merles and blacks must have black pigmentation on the eye rims. The red merles and reds must
have liver (brown) pigmentation on the eye rims. Severe Faults - Lack of eye pigment on the eye rim. - Large and/or round
eyes.
Nose
Blue merles and blacks must have black pigmentation
on the nose (and lips). Red merles and reds must have liver (brown) pigmentation on the nose (and lips). On the merles it
is permissible to have small pink spots on the nose; however they should not exceed 25% of the nose on dogs over one year
of age.
Fault - The butterfly nose is a fault, over one year of age. Disqualification - A Dudley nose (flesh
colored/ lacking pigment).
Teeth
A full complement of strong white teeth should
meet in a scissors bite..
Disqualifications - Undershot or overshot jaw greater than 1/16 inch. - Teeth broken or
missing by accident shall not be penalized. Fault - Level bite
Neck and Throat
The
neck is strong, of moderate length, and is slightly arched at the crest. The shoulders are strong in substance yet not loaded.
The throat is clear and free from folds of skin however a slight wrinkle below the angle of the jaw is allowable. Faults –
Thick, short, stubby neck carried on a line with the top of the shoulders. - Throat showing excessive folds of skin (throatiness).
Top-line
The back is straight, strong, level and firm from withers to hip joints. The croup is moderately sloped (Ideally
being 30 degrees from the horizontal). Chest is not broad but is deep with the lowest point reaching the elbow. The ribs are
well sprung and long, neither barrel chest nor slab-sided. The underline shows a moderate tuck-up. Tail is straight, docked
or naturally bobbed, not to exceed two inches in length.
Faults - Gaily carried tail. Serious Fault - roach back,
a sway back or slab sided.
Forequarters
Shoulders—slopping yet clean, muscular but not heavy or loaded. Shoulder blades are
long, flat, fairly close set at the withers and well laid back. The upper arm, which should be approximately 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 should be straight and strong. Bone is strong and oval rather than round. Pastern is medium length and
very slightly sloped. Front dewclaws may be removed. Feet are oval, compact close knit, with well-arched toes. Pads are thick
and resilient. Faults - Straight upright shoulders. - Chest disproportionately wide or narrow with lack of depth -. Legs lacking
in substance. - Splay feet.
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.
Fault
- Straight in the stifle. - Long toes or open feet. - Cow hocks, straight hocks, sickle hocks, or lack of muscling. - Standing
wide.
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 the forelegs and britches are moderately feathered. There is a
moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Ticking can occur on any color of dog, usually appearing
on the white. Severe faults - long flowing coat or a very short coat. – Any coat texture, which detracts from the overall
impression of the Australian Shepherd Breed (i.e. very long, very short, very curly, etc.).
Colors
Blue
merle, black, red merle and red - all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points, with no order of preference.
The hairline of a white collar should not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. White is acceptable on the neck (either
in a partial or full collar), chest, legs, belly, muzzle and blaze. White on the belly may not extend more than two inches
above a horizontal line at the elbow and behind the point of the withers. White on the head should not predominate, and the
eyes and ears must be fully surrounded by color. Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age. Disqualifications
- White body splashes in all colors– Lack of color around the eyes or ears. Other than recognized coat colors (Pattern
whites, yellows, sables, etc.)
Gait
The Toy Australian Shepherd has a smooth, free, easy gait and exhibits great agility of
movement with a well balanced, ground covering stride. Fore and hind legs move straight and parallel with the centerline of
the body. The Toy Australian Shepherd must be agile and able to change direction or alter gait instantly . As the dog moves
into a trot, and speed increases, the head lowers and becomes almost level with the back. The back remains level and firm
while moving freely throughout the sequence of the two beat diagonal gait. The feet converge inward as speed increases until
the edges of the pads (front and rear) touch the lateral centerline at a fast trot. Severe Fault - Pacing (legs on the
same side moving in unison, like a locomotive). - Rolling across the shoulders, back or hips (often caused by long coupling)
– Crabbing (not tracking straight, often caused by short coupling).
Temperament
The Toy 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 and many have a tendency to grin, usually accompanied with a
body wiggle and squinting of the eyes. Faults - Any display of shyness, fear or aggression is to be severely penalized.
Adopted by the Toy Australian Shepherd Association of America-2003 TASAA Breed Standard
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