Our Australian Shepherd Heritage & The Breed Standard
Colorado's Slate
This is Colorado's Slate. She is both Rorrie and Shadow's Dam. Blue Merle Female. Slate is sired by Colorado’s Mighty Blue Digger (see below) and out of Rocky Mountains Red Hot Lady. Her pedigree is the best of the working bloodlines and the best of the show bloodlines. Her Owners were Leslie and Dick Sorensen, Colorado Australian Shepherds as well as Anita Simon Laycock of Wyoming Kennels.
Colorado's American Icon
This is Colorado's American Icon (Gibson) and at age 8, he has gone back to his birthplace at Colorado Australian Shepherds. Gibson was OFA Excellent. He has now passed, but was the Sire of Shadow's first two litters and Luna's first litter. His sire is ASCA/AKC CH. Colorado’s Terry Blue OTDc and his dam is Samilyn's Caught Red-Handed (Red Tri), both also shown on this page.
Dual Ch. Colorado’s Echostar
This is Dual Ch. Colorado’s Echostar (Leo). Leslie and Dick Sorensen, his owners, liked this picture of Leo taken when he was just 18mos. It is very revealing of his beautiful angles. His sire is Colorado’s Hicountry Boonedox and his dam is Colorado’s Imalotta Memories. His dam has all of their old foundation bloodlines. Leo is a dog that will outcross on all the popular lines today and clean up some possible health issues occurring in those lines.
This is Dual Ch. Colorado’s Echostar (Leo). Leslie and Dick Sorensen, his owners, liked this picture of Leo taken when he was just 18mos. It is very revealing of his beautiful angles. His sire is Colorado’s Hicountry Boonedox and his dam is Colorado’s Imalotta Memories. His dam has all of their old foundation bloodlines. Leo is a dog that will outcross on all the popular lines today and clean up some possible health issues occurring in those lines.
Ch. Colorado's Intel Inside
This is AKC & ASCA Ch. Colorado’s Intel Inside (Web). He is Shadow's Sire. Sire:Ch. Tri-ivory Make a Big Wish Dam:Ch.Colorado’s Hat Trick. 8 years old. Hips OFA excellent. Eye cleared. Elbow cleared. At age 5, test bred to epilepsy producing bitch. No epileptic offspring in the litter. Sire of ASCA Ch. Signature Style. Full brother to ASCA Ch. Colorado’s The Southwest Chief. Full brother to AKC & ASCA Ch. Colorado’s A Wish Made Real. Full brother to Ch. Colorado’s Custom Chrome N.A. CD. CDX top 10 obedience. Owners Leslie and Dick Sorensen, Colorado Australian Shepherds.
Colorado's Mighty Blue Digger
This is Colorado’s Mighty Bluedigger. He was Slate's Sire - thus Rorrie and Shadow's Grand Sire. “Digger” This blue merle/white working dynamo is from the OLD Woods Bloodlines. He is almost pure Woods. Few carry on the bloodlines of these Woods dogs like Colorado and Maine Aussies. His dam is a liver red, Colorado’s In Mahogany and his sire is Colorado’s How The West Was Won. Gorgeous in his color and conformation! OFA Good. Eye cleared annually. Height 21″/ 55lbs. Full dentition and scissors bite, big teeth.
Taptico's American Free Spirit
This Taptico’s American Free Spirit aka Spyro. This is Rorrie's Sire and he lives up in Wyoming.
Thank you Spyro for bringing us the cosmic force that is Rorrie.
Thank you Spyro for bringing us the cosmic force that is Rorrie.
Merimark's Imprint Siouxsanna HIC
This is Merimark’s Imprint Siouxsanna HIC also known as "Anna". Her Sire Colorado’s American Icon "Gibson", she is sister to Sally and Daphne.
Her Dam ASCA Ch. Colorado’s Runaround Sioux. Anna lives the good life in Colorado. We remember meeting Rorrie for the first time - she was sharing a pen and constantly playing with Anna.
Her Dam ASCA Ch. Colorado’s Runaround Sioux. Anna lives the good life in Colorado. We remember meeting Rorrie for the first time - she was sharing a pen and constantly playing with Anna.
ASCA Ch. Applecross Hot Rod Lincoln STDc
This is ASCA Ch. Applecross Hot Rod Lincoln STDc, sire to our Luna. He was born May 27, 2000. He is OFA excellent and he belongs to Chris and Vicki Lembcke of Applecross Australian Shepherds.
Colorado's Terry Blue OTDc
This is Dual Ch.Colorado’s Terry Blue OTD Cattle. He was sired by CH. Bayshore's Flapjack and his Dam was Colorado's Sunshine Sioux. This is our Luna's Dam's Sire born on December 17th, 1991. This is also the Sire of the Sire of Shadow's current litter. His OFA was Good.
Samilyn’s Caught Red-handed
This is Samilyn’s Caught Red-handed (Handy). This is the Dam to Shadow's current litter's Sire. This superb red tri bitch has 9 ASCA points {2majors}. Here she is 3 1/2 years old and is a fabulous mama and buddy. Her temperament is perfect. Her sire is Ch. Rainyday's Achy Breaky Heart and her dam is Hallmarks Crown Chokra. Her eye's are cleared and she is OFA Good, full dentition.
Ch. Colorado's Hat Trick
This is Multiple Dual Champion Colorado's Hat Trick (Hatty). This is the Dam to Shadow's Sire. Hatty's Sire is BIS Triple Ch. Moonstruck’s Star Slayer and her Dam is Moonlight’s Dixie Blue. Web (Colorado's Intel Inside), shown above, is just one her beautiful offspring.
Sorensen's Gunsmoke
I just could not resist posting this picture of Sorensen's Gunsmoke. He was the Sire of the first herding titled dog of the Australian Shepherd Breed. Owned by Dick Sorensen who then started Colorado Australian Shepherds with his wife Leslie. With their help and guidance, we take pride in connecting the past with the future. Check out this article which gives some insight into Aussie past, please note the section on J-BAR-D and Colorado Kennels about half way down. Our dogs and puppies retain an eternal connection with our Country's working land based history. Also check out Australian Shepherds of the Mountain West by Kris Toft below.
I would encourage any Aussie owner or enthusiast to purchase Kris Toft's book Australian Shepherds of the Mountain West. With over 1500 photographs carefully collected with pedigrees, lineage diagrams, commentary and tales of Aussie past....you can get lost for hours getting to know your dog's relatives better.
Here is a picture of the book with our Rorrie. Many of her relatives are featured above and in this book.
Here is a picture of the book with our Rorrie. Many of her relatives are featured above and in this book.
Breed Standard - from ASCA - Australian Shepherd Club of America
Breed Standard PDF
Created January 15, 1977: Revised June 01, 2013
INTRODUCTION: First and foremost, the Australian Shepherd is a true working stockdog, and anything that detracts from his usefulness as such is undesirable. The most important breed characteristics are overall moderation in size and bone, balance with correct proportions, and sound movement
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined.
CHARACTER: The Australian Shepherd is primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an intelligent, exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained: performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. This unusually versatile stockdog works with the power and quickness to control difficult cattle as well as the ability to move sheep without unnecessary roughness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.
HEAD: The head is clean-cut, strong, dry, and in proportion to the body. The topskull is flat to slightly rounded; its length and width each equal to the length of the muzzle. The muzzle is of medium width and depth and tapers gradually to a rounded tip, without appearing heavy or snipey. Lips are close fitting, meeting at the mouthline. The toplines of the muzzle and topskull appear close to parallel. The stop is moderate but well defined.
Disqualifications: Undershot bite, Overshot bite, Wry Mouth
Faults: Any deviation from almond-shaped eyes.
Severe Faults: Prick ears; overly large ears; low set ears with no lift from the base.
NECK AND BODY: The neck is firm, clean, and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the crest, setting well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural four-square stance. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well sprung. The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top. The croup is moderately sloping. The Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
FOREQUARTERS: The shoulder blades (scapula) are well laid back, with the upper arm (humerus) slightly longer than the shoulder blade. Both the upper arm and shoulder blade are well muscled. The forelegs are straight and strong, perpendicular to the ground, with moderate bone. The point of the elbow is set under the withers and is equidistant from the withers to the ground. Pasterns are short, thick, and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS: Width of hindquarters is approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulder. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm. The upper and lower thigh are well muscled. Stifles are clearly defined; hock joints moderately bent. The metatarsi are short, perpendicular to the ground, and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear dewclaws are removed.
COAT: The coat is of medium length and texture, straight to slightly wavy, and weather resistant. The undercoat varies in quantity with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs, and below the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered and breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. The Australian Shepherd is a working dog and is to be shown with a natural coat.
Severe Faults: Non-typical coats such as excessively long; overabundant/profuse; wiry; or curly.
COLOR: All colors are strong, clear and rich. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. The blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims. Reds and red merles have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. Butterfly nose should not be faulted under one year of age. On all colors the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color other than white. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point at the withers.
Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors. White body splashes. Dudley nose.
GAIT: Smooth, free, and easy, exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced natural stride. As speed increases, both front and rear feet converge equally toward the centerline of gravity beneath the body. The top line remains firm and level. When viewed from the side the trot is effortless, exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action. Exaggerated reach and drive at the trot are not desirable. Gait faults shall be penalized according to the degree of deviation from the ideal.
SIZE: Preferred height at the withers for males is 20 to 23 inches; that for females is 18 to 21 inches, however, quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
Other Disqualifications: Monorchidism and cryptorchidism.
Breed Standard PDF
Created January 15, 1977: Revised June 01, 2013
INTRODUCTION: First and foremost, the Australian Shepherd is a true working stockdog, and anything that detracts from his usefulness as such is undesirable. The most important breed characteristics are overall moderation in size and bone, balance with correct proportions, and sound movement
GENERAL APPEARANCE: The Australian Shepherd is a well-balanced dog of medium size and bone. He is attentive and animated, showing strength and stamina combined with unusual agility. Slightly longer than tall, he has a coat of moderate length and coarseness with coloring that offers variety and individuality in each specimen. An identifying characteristic is his natural or docked bobtail. In each sex, masculinity or femininity is well defined.
CHARACTER: The Australian Shepherd is primarily a working dog of strong herding and guardian instincts. He is an intelligent, exceptional companion. He is versatile and easily trained: performing his assigned tasks with great style and enthusiasm. He is reserved with strangers but does not exhibit shyness. This unusually versatile stockdog works with the power and quickness to control difficult cattle as well as the ability to move sheep without unnecessary roughness. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.
HEAD: The head is clean-cut, strong, dry, and in proportion to the body. The topskull is flat to slightly rounded; its length and width each equal to the length of the muzzle. The muzzle is of medium width and depth and tapers gradually to a rounded tip, without appearing heavy or snipey. Lips are close fitting, meeting at the mouthline. The toplines of the muzzle and topskull appear close to parallel. The stop is moderate but well defined.
- TEETH: A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a scissors bite. A level bite is a fault. Teeth broken or missing by accident are not penalized. All other missing teeth should be faulted to the degree that they deviate from a full complement of 42 teeth.
Disqualifications: Undershot bite, Overshot bite, Wry Mouth
- EYES: The eyes are very expressive, showing attentiveness and intelligence. They are clear, almond-shaped, of moderate size, and set a little obliquely, neither prominent nor sunken. The pupils are dark, well defined, and perfectly positioned. Eye color is brown, blue, amber; or any variation or combination, including flecks and marbling. All eye colors are acceptable in combination with all coat colors.
Faults: Any deviation from almond-shaped eyes.
- EARS: The ears are set high on the side of the head, are triangular, of moderate size and slightly rounded at the tip. The tip of the ear reaches to, but not further than, the inside corner of the nearest eye. At full attention, the ears should lift from one-quarter (1/4) to one-half (1/2) above the base and break forward or slightly to the side.
Severe Faults: Prick ears; overly large ears; low set ears with no lift from the base.
NECK AND BODY: The neck is firm, clean, and in proportion to the body. It is of medium length and slightly arched at the crest, setting well into the shoulders. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural four-square stance. The bottom line carries well back with a moderate tuck-up. The chest is deep and strong with ribs well sprung. The loin is strong and broad when viewed from the top. The croup is moderately sloping. The Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked.
FOREQUARTERS: The shoulder blades (scapula) are well laid back, with the upper arm (humerus) slightly longer than the shoulder blade. Both the upper arm and shoulder blade are well muscled. The forelegs are straight and strong, perpendicular to the ground, with moderate bone. The point of the elbow is set under the withers and is equidistant from the withers to the ground. Pasterns are short, thick, and strong, but still flexible, showing a slight angle when viewed from the side. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS: Width of hindquarters is approximately equal to the width of the forequarters at the shoulder. The angulation of the pelvis and upper thigh (femur) corresponds to the angulation of the shoulder blade and upper arm. The upper and lower thigh are well muscled. Stifles are clearly defined; hock joints moderately bent. The metatarsi are short, perpendicular to the ground, and parallel to each other when viewed from the rear. Feet are oval shaped, compact, with close-knit, well-arched toes. Pads are thick and resilient; nails short and strong. Rear dewclaws are removed.
COAT: The coat is of medium length and texture, straight to slightly wavy, and weather resistant. The undercoat varies in quantity with climate. Hair is short and smooth on the head, outside of ears, front of forelegs, and below the hocks. Backs of forelegs are moderately feathered and breeches are moderately full. There is a moderate mane, more pronounced in dogs than bitches. The Australian Shepherd is a working dog and is to be shown with a natural coat.
Severe Faults: Non-typical coats such as excessively long; overabundant/profuse; wiry; or curly.
COLOR: All colors are strong, clear and rich. The recognized colors are blue merle, red (liver) merle, solid black, and solid red (liver) all with or without white markings and/or tan (copper) points with no order of preference. The blue merle and black have black pigmentation on nose, lips and eye-rims. Reds and red merles have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. Butterfly nose should not be faulted under one year of age. On all colors the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color other than white. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point at the withers.
Disqualifications: Other than recognized colors. White body splashes. Dudley nose.
GAIT: Smooth, free, and easy, exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced natural stride. As speed increases, both front and rear feet converge equally toward the centerline of gravity beneath the body. The top line remains firm and level. When viewed from the side the trot is effortless, exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action. Exaggerated reach and drive at the trot are not desirable. Gait faults shall be penalized according to the degree of deviation from the ideal.
SIZE: Preferred height at the withers for males is 20 to 23 inches; that for females is 18 to 21 inches, however, quality is not to be sacrificed in favor of size.
Other Disqualifications: Monorchidism and cryptorchidism.
Working Description - from ASCA - Australian Shepherd Club of America
Introduction
The Australian Shepherd was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as a general-purpose ranch and farm dog in the American West, where a tough, enduring, versatile stockdog with an honest work ethic was required. His usual work included moving very large herds of sheep and cattle from summer to winter grazing grounds and back, flushing range cattle out of heavy brush, and moving livestock in tight quarters such as chutes and alleys. These kinds of jobs are still where Australian Shepherds excel and are most valued.
The Australian Shepherd is categorized as one of the Loose-Eyed breeds of stockdogs. He is a confident, authoritative worker with a unique style that differs from Strong-Eyed breeds. He is agile, upright and close-working, and exhibits these distinctive traits while maintaining the ability and versatility to control all types of livestock in an efficient and deliberate manner. The Australian Shepherd excels at controlling large and/or slow-moving flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, and is highly regarded for his superior ability to effectively manage livestock in tightly confined spaces. The Australian Shepherd is powerful and intense by nature easily learning the appropriate force and distance needed for the type of livestock being worked. Utilizing a loose-eyed approach to stock, a working Australian Shepherd will often display wear, grip, and/or an authoritative bark, as well as eye when necessary, to handle their stock.
Wear
The Australian Shepherds wear is smooth, balanced, and ground covering as the dog moves easily from side to side at the back of the stock, keeping his herd or flock together and moving forward. This is a very natural movement for an Australian Shepherd, and one that he can continue doing for hours at a time.
Grip
The Australian Shepherd will only use grip to move reluctant or challenging stock. The ideal Australian Shepherd naturally grips at both the head and heel, coming in low and hard on the heels to move cattle, or going to the head and gripping the nose or poll to turn an animal back to the herd.
Bark
The Australian Shepherd may bark to move stock or to face a challenge. His bark is conservative and should be authoritative when used. While the Australian Shepherds grip typically affects a single animal, his bark can influence a whole herd, and is most effective when stock has come to a standstill such as in crowded alleyways. The Australian Shepherds bark is particularly useful when gathering cattle from thick brush.
Eye
Since the Australian Shepherd is a loose-eyed working dog, he prefers to use his authority and presence to move livestock. However, if challenged, he may use eye in a direct and deliberate way until the challenge is over.
Introduction
The Australian Shepherd was developed in the 19th and 20th centuries as a general-purpose ranch and farm dog in the American West, where a tough, enduring, versatile stockdog with an honest work ethic was required. His usual work included moving very large herds of sheep and cattle from summer to winter grazing grounds and back, flushing range cattle out of heavy brush, and moving livestock in tight quarters such as chutes and alleys. These kinds of jobs are still where Australian Shepherds excel and are most valued.
The Australian Shepherd is categorized as one of the Loose-Eyed breeds of stockdogs. He is a confident, authoritative worker with a unique style that differs from Strong-Eyed breeds. He is agile, upright and close-working, and exhibits these distinctive traits while maintaining the ability and versatility to control all types of livestock in an efficient and deliberate manner. The Australian Shepherd excels at controlling large and/or slow-moving flocks of sheep and herds of cattle, and is highly regarded for his superior ability to effectively manage livestock in tightly confined spaces. The Australian Shepherd is powerful and intense by nature easily learning the appropriate force and distance needed for the type of livestock being worked. Utilizing a loose-eyed approach to stock, a working Australian Shepherd will often display wear, grip, and/or an authoritative bark, as well as eye when necessary, to handle their stock.
Wear
The Australian Shepherds wear is smooth, balanced, and ground covering as the dog moves easily from side to side at the back of the stock, keeping his herd or flock together and moving forward. This is a very natural movement for an Australian Shepherd, and one that he can continue doing for hours at a time.
Grip
The Australian Shepherd will only use grip to move reluctant or challenging stock. The ideal Australian Shepherd naturally grips at both the head and heel, coming in low and hard on the heels to move cattle, or going to the head and gripping the nose or poll to turn an animal back to the herd.
Bark
The Australian Shepherd may bark to move stock or to face a challenge. His bark is conservative and should be authoritative when used. While the Australian Shepherds grip typically affects a single animal, his bark can influence a whole herd, and is most effective when stock has come to a standstill such as in crowded alleyways. The Australian Shepherds bark is particularly useful when gathering cattle from thick brush.
Eye
Since the Australian Shepherd is a loose-eyed working dog, he prefers to use his authority and presence to move livestock. However, if challenged, he may use eye in a direct and deliberate way until the challenge is over.
