Australian Shepherd
about
Aussies
Australian Shepherds & Their Characteristics
The most recognisable characteristics and colours of the Australian Shepherd are:
Black / Black Bi color
Red / Red Bi color
Blue Merle & Tan
Red Merle & Tan
**Black - Black White & Tan - Black & White - Black & Tan
**Blue Merle - Blue Merle White & Tan - Blue Merle & White -
**Blue Merle & Tan
**Red - Red White & Tan - Red & White - Red & Tan
**Red Merle - Red Merle White & Tan - Red Merle & White
**Red Merle & Tan
The natural bob tail (NBT) in the Australian Shepherd 🐾
Some Australian Shepherds are born with a naturally short tail, also known as NBT (Natural Bob Tail).
This is not a surgical procedure and not an abnormality, but a completely natural, inherited trait within the breed.
In an Aussie with an NBT, a few tail vertebrae are simply missing by nature.
As a result, the tail is shorter — sometimes just a small stump, sometimes a half tail, and everything in between. No two natural bob tails are exactly alike.
In dogs with a full-length tail, the tail normally tapers gradually, with the vertebrae becoming smaller toward the tip.
With a natural bob tail, the tail ends more bluntly because several vertebrae are naturally absent.
Approximately one in five Australian Shepherds is born with a natural bob tail.
It says nothing about health, character, working ability or freedom of movement — an Aussie with an NBT is just as athletic, expressive and communicative as one with a full tail.
In short:
👉 long tail, short tail or no tail — it is still the same Aussie, with the same qualities, energy and personality.
