Unraveling the Rainbow: Australian Shepherd and Mini American Shepherd (Mini Australian Shepherd) Coat Colors and Genetics Explained!

Here, we'll introduce you to the variety of naturally occurring colors within the Australian Shepherd breed. The standard for Miniature American Shepherds AKA Mini Australian Shepherd or Mini Aussie includes the same colors and genetics. This section will be your ultimate guide through the spectrum of coat colors and beautiful patterns that make these breeds so fun and uniquely beautiful. The colors listed are what is included within the breed standard, as well as what genetics are naturally occurring within the gene pool, though we aim to avoid breeding for those colors not within standard.

Accepted Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd (Mini Aussie) Coat Colors and Patterns

  • Solid black self Australian Shepherd

    Black Self

    A solid black coat, devoid of white or tan (copper) markings and ticking. Self-color means having only a single and uniform color. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Black Bi color Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd Laying in the grass

    Black Bi

    A black coat with white or tan (copper) markings, but not both. Bi-color means having two colors. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Black Tri Australian Shepherd with a tail trotting in a field

    Black Tri

    A black coat with white and tan (copper) markings. May have brown, amber, or blue colored eyes.

  • Red Self

    A solid red (brown) coat, devoid of white or tan (copper) markings and ticking. Self-color means having only a single and uniform. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red bi color Australian shepherd with blue eyes and a tail laying in the shade, panting

    Red Bi

    A red coat with either white or tan (copper) markings, but not both. Bi-color means having two colors. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red tri Australian Shepherd sitting in the grass

    Red Tri

    A red (brown) coat with white and tan (copper) markings. May have brown, amber, or blue colored eyes.

  • Blue Merle Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussie, Miniature American Shepherd

    Blue Merle

    A solid black coat, devoid of white or tan (copper) markings and ticking, with the addition of one copy of the merle gene. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Blue merle bi Australian Shepherd laying in the green grass

    Blue Merle Bi

    A black coat with either white or tan (copper) markings, but not both. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • blue merle Australian shepherd with tan and white, with a tail

    Blue Merle Tri

    A black coat with white and tan (copper) markings. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red Merle

    A solid black coat, devoid of white or tan (copper) markings and ticking, with the addition of one copy of the merle gene. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red merle bi color Mini American Shepherd, Mini Australian Shepherd

    Red Merle Bi

    A red coat with either white or tan (copper) markings, but not both. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red merle with tan and white Australian Shepherd, Mini Aussie, mini American shepherd

    Red Merle Tri

    A red coat with white and tan (copper) markings. The merle pattern can exhibit variability, with variations in the size and color of patches depending on the length of the base pair. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

Off Standard Australian Shepherd and Miniature American Shepherd (Mini Aussie) Colors and Patterns

  • Dilute Australian Shepherd with Blue eyes

    Dilute (Off Standard)

    A black coat diluted to a dark steely gray with the addition of white and/or tan (copper) markings. Nose leather will be light to dark shade of gray. Merle pattern may or may not be present. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Red Dilute or Isabella or Lilac Australian Shepherd puppy, Mini Australian Shepherd, mini Aussie, Mini American Shepherd

    Isabella/Lilac

    A coat exhibiting both red (brown) and dilute combined. May have the addition of white and/or tan (copper) markings. Merle pattern may or may not be present. May have brown, amber, or blue eyes.

  • Sable

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  • White Head

    Excessive white spotting, "White head" or "mismark" refers to a specific white pattern in Australian Shepherds and Miniature American Shepherds where the white blaze extends out of the accepted pattern. This distinctive pattern typically includes white covering one or both eyes, may extend onto the ears, and occasionally resulting in additional patches or "body splashes" of white on the dog's body.

  • Piebald

    Description goes here

  • Double Merle

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