The merle phenotype in Australian Shepherds is very similar to the coat color in Mitf mouse mutants. Although some Aussies are born with naturally bobbed or partially bobbed (stubby) tails, the majority are born with full, long tails. Breeders have historically docked the tails when the puppies are born. In the United States and Canada, the standard calls for a natural bob or docked tail not to exceed four inches as a defining characteristics. Any natural tail length is permitted when showing in Europe, where docking has been banned in most countries, including the United Kingdom. Ranchers in Boulder, Colorado, began breeding the dogs which would attract purchasers from as far west as California for their legendary sheep-herding abilities. A theory suggests that they were named for the imported sheep that they herded. It is also possible that many of the dogs coming from Australia were blue merle and the adjective 'Australian' became associated with any dogs of that coat color.
n/a
n/a