STANARD AUSTRALIAN SHEPHERDS

This is an athletic dog of medium size and bone; it is lithe, agile and slightly longer than it is tall. It is muscular and powerful enough to work all day, without sacrificing the speed and agility necessary to cope with bolting livestock. Its gait is free and easy, and it must be able to change direction or speed instantly. Its double coat is weather resistant, with the outer coat of medium texture and length, straight to wavy. 

The expression is keen, intelligent and eager.
The Australian shepherd has a great deal of stamina and is loving, bold, alert, confident, independent, smart and responsive. If it doesn’t get a chance to exercise and challenge its strongly developed mental and physical activities, it is apt to become frustrated and difficult to live with. With proper exercise and training, it is a loyal, utterly devoted and obedient companion. 

Size

Classed as medium in size, Australian Shepherds can grow to stand around 46-58 centimetres tall, however sizes will vary. They can also weigh between 16 and 32kg, with females being slightly lighter and smaller in overall frame.

Males – 51 to 58 cm (20 to 23 inches)
Females – 46 to 54 cm (18 to 21 inches)

Males – 25 to 31.8 kg
Females – 15.9 to 25 kg 

Coat

The Aussie has a medium dense double coat and needs to be groomed every 4 – 8 weeks, with more frequent grooming during the shedding seasons of spring and fall when they change coats. As long as the undercoat is removed the outer guard coat will provide shade for your dog.

Grooming can be done using a good quality slicker brush and a long-toothed undercoat rake. There are different Australian Shepherd grooming styles, but the basics are always the same. Begin brushing with the slicker brush first. Always groom your dog in the direction of coat growth, never against it.

Groom your dog from nose to tail, remembering to include his legs and his tummy. Next, use the undercoat rake to be sure that the fluffy undercoat has been groomed right down to the skin.

Comb the fur outwards and away from the skin so that you don’t scratch your pet. Use your fingers to remove any tangles and mats. Smooth out the fur using the slicker brush. Finish off by using a bristle brush to lift off any remaining loose hair on the surface of the dog’s coat.

If/when your Mini Aussie needs a haircut, you can take it to a professional groomer; depending on your dog's hairstyle, you can also learn to give the cut at home, either from instructional videos on YouTube or other sites, or from the groomer themselves.