ABOUT AUSSIES
Aussies find their origin in America, not Australia. The "little Blue Dog" that was found throughout the old west, was in fact, the ancestor of the Australian Shepherd that we know today. Prized for their intelligence and athletic ability, they were used extensively for herding and protecting the sheep and cattle. The "aussie" is not from Australia at all, but rather began to be associated with the large herds of Merino sheep that were being imported from Australia in the late 19th century. The breed actually was originated in the American West of the late 19th and early 20th centuries by crossing the Collie/Shepherd dogs of the British Isles with some possible Spanish/Basque influence. At this point in time no one can be certain of the exact cross, however one thing is certain, the needs of the job dictated the cross. One of the nicest aspects of the Australian Shepherd is it's willingness to form deep bonds with humans. The early shepherds and cattlemen appreciated this wonderful friendship as they were often isolated and had very little human contact for long periods of time. Aussies make one of the most devoted friends any family could have.
Blue Merle: The classic "little blue dog" is a mottled blue grey with black spots or streaks. They are usually trimmed in white and copper.
Black Tri: This is another clasic Aussie color. The dog is all black and usually trimmed in white & copper.
Red Merle: As with the Blue Merle, the dog is mottled, but in shades of red instead of blue. They are also trimmed in white and copper.
Red Tri: These dogs are marked exactly like the Black Tri except they are red instead of black.
In addition to their distinctive color, Aussies are noted for quite often having eyes of different colors. Brown is the most dominant color with blue being the second. Sometimes they have one blue and one brown or they can have a marbleing effect occur where both colors are swirled together in the same eye.
