Page 48 - Aussie Magazine no1, 2023
P. 48

Judge





          Colour: We have four acceptable colours: blue
          merle,  black,  red  merle  and  red,  all  with  or
          without  white  markings  and/or  tan  (copper)
          points.  This  gives  us  potentially  sixteen  (16)
          colour  combinations.  As  a  breed,  we  celebrate
          the  unique  individuality  and  variety  that  our
          colours and markings allow us.


          We  do  not  prefer  or  reward  one  colour  over
          another.  We  do  not  recognise  or  prefer  a  bi-
          coloured  dog  over  a  tri-coloured  dog.  A  solid
          black  dog  (no  white  or  copper  trim)  is  to  be              About
          judged  equally  against  a  red  merle  dog  with
          white  markings  and  copper  points.  A  red  dog
          with white markings and no copper points are
          equally  acceptable  (red  bi).  A  dog  with  split-   Nannette L. Newbury has competed
          face markings is to be judged no differently than       and titled dogs in conformation,
          a dog with no white on its face or a dog with           agility, obedience, and stock/herding,
          symmetrical  white  markings  on  its  face.  Some      including winning the coveted Most
          breeding programs favour symmetrical markings           Versatile Australian Shepherd title at
          (white  muzzle  and  blaze  and  colour  and/or         the National Specialty (1997) having
          white  front  legs);  other  breeding  programs         owned the breed since 1973. She is
          prefer  minimal  white  trim;  still,  others  prefer   approved to judge AKC, ASCA, FCI,
          asymmetrical, unique colour patterns. We do not         and The Kennel Club events, and
          prefer, nor do we wish you to favour one colour         has served as the Judge’s Education
          or style of markings over another. We celebrate         Coordinator for the United States
          this  unique  quality  in  our  breed  and  wish  to    Australian Shepherd Association
          preserve it.                                            (USASA). She continues to judge
                                                                  and conducts educational breed

          Merling:  We  do  not  distinguish  between  the        seminars worldwide. In addition,
          amount  of  merling  and/or  colour  spots  on  the     she was the long-time editor of
          red  and  blue  merles.  A  merle  with  large-sized    the national breed club magazine,
          or a large number of solid colour spots and little      The Australian Shepherd Journal,
          merling is equally acceptable as a heavily merled       and breed column editor for the
          dog with little or no spots of colour.                  American Kennel Club Gazette.


          White:  Here  you  will  find  one  of  our  few
          disqualifications:   white   body     splashes
          located  between  the  withers  and  tail,  on  the
          sides  between  the  elbows  and  back  of  the
          hindquarters. Colour faults would encompass a
          white collar exceeding the point of the withers
          (at the base of the hair). In addition, white should   The  Australian  Shepherd  is  a  wonderfully
          not predominate on the head and the eye should     engaging, unique, individualistic breed that offers
          be  fully  surrounded  by  colour  and  pigment.   variety within the standard. This makes judging
          White  may  extend  up  from  the  belly  into  the   the breed more complex and will truly test your
          body. As long as it does not go past four inches   skills as a judge. Their fun, dedicated and charming
          above the elbow it is acceptable. You may have     demeanour  make  this  breed  a  favourite  all  over
          to lift the hair to see this fault. You may see dogs   the world. Our goal is to preserve these traits and
          with white on their stifles. This is acceptable.   this breed for future generations.



           48  |  A Worldwide Magazine for the Aussie  •  Issue 1/2023
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