Cattle Shepherd

The Australian Cattle Dog is a strong, compact, and symmetrically built herding breed that conveys an immediate impression of great agility combined with substantial endurance. Males stand between 18 and 20 inches at the withers, while females measure slightly smaller at 17 to 19 inches, with both sexes weighing between 33 and 50 pounds when in proper working condition. The body is slightly longer than tall, with well-developed musculature that reflects the breed's heritage as a tireless worker capable of driving cattle across vast distances of rugged Australian terrain. The overall appearance should suggest a dog capable of the quick, sudden movements essential for controlling livestock. The breed's distinctive double coat consists of a short, dense undercoat covered by a rain-resistant outer coat of straight, hard hairs that lie flat against the body. The coat is somewhat longer on the neck, forming a mild ruff, and on the thighs, creating modest breeching, but remains close and smooth on the head and front of the legs. Australian Cattle Dogs come in two recognized color patterns: blue and red speckle. Blue dogs display black, blue, or tan markings distributed through a white coat, creating a characteristic blue-mottled or blue-speckled appearance. Red speckle dogs have even red markings throughout a white coat, sometimes with darker red patches on the head. The head is broad and slightly curved between the ears, leading to a definite stop and a powerful, medium-length muzzle that is well filled under the eyes. The breed's pricked ears are moderately sized, broad at the base, and set wide apart on the skull, remaining alert and responsive to sounds. The oval-shaped, medium-sized eyes display an intelligent, alert expression and are typically dark brown in color. The tail is set moderately low, following the slope of the croup, and hangs in a slight curve at rest while being raised when the dog is alert or in motion. The breed's ancestry, which includes the Dingo crossed with various herding breeds including the Scottish Collie, remains visible in its overall appearance and structure.

The German Shepherd is a large, strong, and substantially built dog that presents an impression of depth and solidity without bulkiness, displaying the muscular fitness essential for its role as a versatile working breed. Males typically stand between 24 and 26 inches at the withers and weigh from 75 to 90 pounds, while females are somewhat smaller at 22 to 24 inches tall and 55 to 70 pounds. The body is slightly longer than tall, with the length measured from the prosternum to the rear edge of the pelvis exceeding the height at the withers. The ideal proportion creates a flowing outline that emphasizes strength, athleticism, and the effortless trotting gait for which the breed is renowned. The breed's double coat consists of a dense, straight, harsh outer coat lying close to the body, with a thick undercoat that provides protection from weather extremes. The coat is shorter on the head, inner ear, front of legs, and feet, while longer and thicker on the neck where it forms a distinct ruff, and on the back of the legs where moderate feathering occurs. The most recognizable coloration is black and tan or black and red, with the saddle pattern displaying black across the back and extending down the sides, though solid black dogs and sable variations are equally acceptable. White markings are considered a fault, and the once-common long-coated variety remains less favored in most breed standards. The head is noble, cleanly chiseled, and proportionate to the body, with a slightly domed forehead and a long, wedge-shaped muzzle approximately equal in length to the skull. The erect ears are moderately pointed, open toward the front, and carried upright when at attention, becoming one of the breed's most recognizable features. The dark, almond-shaped eyes are set obliquely and display an expression of keen intelligence and self-assurance. The neck is strong and muscular, blending smoothly into long, sloping shoulders. The bushy tail reaches at least to the hock joint and is carried in a gentle curve when the dog is at rest, rising somewhat higher when in motion but never curling over the back.