Coats and Coat Colors of the Mini Aussie
COAT COLORS
Australian Shepherds come in two main colors: black and red. With the solid coat pattern we have black tri and red tri dogs. The recessive gene variation produces merle which are call blue merle and red merle. Blue merle looks like splashes of black against a gray or powder blue background. Red merle looks like red or brown splashes against a buff or silver background. Any of these colors can come with white and/or copper-colored trim. Dogs that have only one color of trim are called bi or bi-colored (i.e., a red and white dog is a red bi). Aussies that have both trim colors are called tri or tri-colored (i.e., a black dog with copper and white is a black tri). During this time, they can shed heavily for several weeks. Regular brushing can help reduce shedding. Overall grooming of Mini Aussies is relatively simple, and many owners do their own grooming.
This is an example of a Black Tri Mini Aussie with bright copper highlights.
This is an example of a Red Tri Mini Aussie. You can see copper eyebrows.
This is an example of a Blue Merle Mini Aussie.
This is an example of a Red Merle Mini Aussie.
COAT TYPES
Miniature Australian Shepherds on average have a medium-length coat, adapted to protecting them while they herd, although coats can range from very thick and long to very short and thin. The coat can be straight, wavey, or even a bit curly or kinky.
These dogs do shed! They drop some fur year round but lose their undercoat completely twice a year, in the spring and fall.
This is an example of a short coat.
This is an example of a long show type coat.
This is an example of a curly or kinky type coat.
