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 colouring 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 stock dog 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 top skull's 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. The toplines of the muzzle and top skull appear close to parallel. The stop is moderate but well-defined.

TEETH: A full complement of strong white teeth meet in a scissors bite. 

EYES: The eyes are very expressive. They are clear, almond shaped, of moderate size. Eye colour is brown, blue, amber; or any variation or combination, including flecks and marbling. All eye colours are acceptable in combination with all coat colours. 

EARS: The ears are set high on the side of the head, are triangular, of moderate size and slightly rounded at the tip. At full attention, the ears should lift above the base, without being held erect. ​

NECK AND BODY: The neck is firm, clean, and in proportion to the body. The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural four-square stance.  The Tail is straight, not to exceed four (4) inches, natural bobtail or docked. Front dewclaws may be removed, and rear dewclaws are always removed.

(Since February 2024, tail docking has been illegal in the province of Quebec. Our puppies proudly carry their tails, whether naturally long or short.)

COAT: The coat is of medium length and texture, straight to slightly wavy, and weather resistant. The Australian Shepherd is a working dog and is to be shown with a natural coat.  ​

Colour: The recognized colours 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. On all colours, the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by colour other than white. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point at the withers. ​

GAIT: Smooth, free, and easy, exhibiting agility of movement with a well-balanced natural stride. When viewed from the side, the trot is effortless, exhibiting facility of movement rather than a hard driving action.  ​

SIZE: There is a preferred height. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size.