Backs of forelegs and britches are moderately feathered. There is a moderate mane and frill, more pronounced in dogs than in bitches. Non-typical coats are severe faults. The hairline of a white collar does not exceed the point of the withers at the skin. White on the head should not predominate and the eyes must be fully surrounded by colour and pigment.
Merles characteristically become darker with increasing age.
White body splashes, which means white on body between withers and tail, on sides between elbows and back of hindquarters on all colours. Quality is not to be sacrificed in favour of size. Measuring from the breastbone to rear of thigh and from top of the withers to the ground the Australian Shepherd is slightly longer than tall. Structure in the male reflects masculinity without coarseness. Bitches appear feminine without being slight of bone.