TEMPERAMENT: The Australian Shepherd is intelligent, primarily a working dog of strong herding and guarding instincts. He is an 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. Although an aggressive, authoritative worker, viciousness toward people or animals is intolerable.

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SIZE: Quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size.

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COAT: Of medium texture, straight to slightly wavy, weather resistant, of moderate length with an undercoat.

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COLOUR: All colours are strong, clear and rich. 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; the red (liver) merle and red (liver) have liver pigmentation on nose, lips and eye rims. 

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HEAD: Clean cut, strong, dry and in proportion to the body. Teeth: A full complement of strong, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. Eyes: Very expressive, showing attentiveness and intelligence. Colour is brown, blue, amber or any variation or combination including flecks and marbling. Ears: Set on high at the side of the head, of moderate size. The ears, at full attention, break slightly forward.

Prick ears and hound type ears are severe faults.

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BODY: The body is firm and muscular. The topline appears level at a natural four square stance.

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TAIL: The tail may be docked, bobtailed or naturally long.

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GAIT: Smooth, free and easy; exhibiting agility and movement with a well balanced, ground covering stride.