Official ICCF Breed Description
Brief Historical Background
The American Shepherd is a working breed developed in the United States in the 20th century, based on the German Shepherd and local herding dogs. Breeding efforts focused on enhancing endurance, agility, intelligence, and climate resistance. The breed was developed for herding and guarding both large and small livestock, as well as property protection and flock management. The American Shepherd quickly gained popularity as a versatile working dog due to its combination of strength, mobility, and loyalty. Today, it is an active, intelligent, and obedient dog, suitable for sports, guarding, and family life, fully revealing its working qualities with regular activity and attention from the owner.
General Appearance
The American Shepherd is a medium to slightly large dog, muscular and dry, with harmonious proportions. The body is slightly elongated, the back is straight and firm, the chest is deep and well developed. The head is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped, with a moderately defined stop, almond-shaped dark eyes, and high-set ears directed forward. The tail is of medium length, set low, carried down at rest, and slightly raised in movement. The coat is of medium length, close-fitting, straight or slightly wavy. The overall appearance emphasizes activity, strength, endurance, and readiness for work, reflecting the breed’s herding and protective qualities.
Important Proportions
The length of the body exceeds the height at the withers by 5–10%. The depth of chest reaches the elbows and is about half the height of the dog. The length of the head is proportional to the body, with the muzzle being about half the length of the skull. The neck is of medium length, muscular, smoothly blending into the withers. Limbs are strong, straight, with correct angulation ensuring maneuverability and endurance. The tail reaches the hock and rises slightly during movement. The proportions ensure a harmonious balance of strength, agility, and stability, essential for working with livestock and active interaction with humans.
Behavior and Character
The American Shepherd is energetic, intelligent, and balanced. It has high trainability, strong loyalty to its owner, and innate attentiveness. The breed is bold and alert toward strangers but not aggressive without cause. In the family, the dog shows friendliness and care, especially toward children. It displays strong herding and guarding instincts, easily adapting to active lifestyles, sports, and work. It requires regular physical and mental stimulation, games, and training. Proper education reveals its best qualities: obedience, courage, loyalty, and confidence, making the American Shepherd a versatile companion and working dog.
Head
The head of the American Shepherd is proportional to the body, wedge-shaped, dry, and muscular. The skull is moderately broad, slightly rounded between the ears, with a noticeable but not sharp stop. The muzzle is of medium length, straight, with strong jaws and a black or dark-pigmented nose. Lips are tight, dry, without flews, with a soft corner. Cheeks are moderately defined, emphasizing the dog’s strength and intelligence. Eyes are almond-shaped, dark, attentive, with a lively expression. Ears are high-set, triangular, mobile, directed forward, reflecting alertness and activity. The head expresses intelligence, determination, and the working nature of the breed.
Facial Region
The facial region is dry, clearly defined, with a straight nasal bridge and strong lower jaw. The muzzle is of medium length, wedge-shaped, tapering smoothly toward the nose. The nose is black or dark-pigmented to match the coat color. Lips are tight, with a soft corner, without looseness. Cheeks are moderate, without coarseness. Jaws are strong, teeth even, with a scissor bite. The expression is attentive, lively, and confident, reflecting intelligence, courage, and loyalty. The facial region harmonizes with the overall appearance, emphasizing the working character and natural focus of the dog.
Eyes
The eyes are almond-shaped, medium-sized, and set slightly obliquely. They are dark in color, with a lively, intelligent, and alert expression. The eyelids are well-fitting, and the pigmentation is complete. Light-colored, round, or overly large eyes are undesirable. The eye expression reflects the dog’s intellect, attentiveness, and readiness to work. Eyes play a key role in conveying character and breed type.
Ears
Ears are high-set, triangular, of medium size, and mobile. In a relaxed state, they may tilt slightly and lie close to the head. When alert, the ears are directed forward, emphasizing attention and readiness for action. The cartilage is firm, and the ears are mobile with smooth edges. Cropped ears are not allowed. Too low-set, large, or floppy ears are considered a fault, disrupting the harmony of the head. The correct ear shape enhances breed expression, highlighting the dog’s intelligence, courage, and activity.
Neck
The neck is of medium length, muscular, dry, with a slight arch at the top, blending smoothly into the withers. The neck is set high, creating a proud posture. The skin is tight, without folds or dewlap. The neck is strong enough to support the head and allow free movement. In males, the neck is slightly more powerful but proportionate to the body. The correct neck shape emphasizes structural harmony, strength, and endurance, and highlights the active, working nature of the American Shepherd.
Body
The body is slightly elongated, compact, muscular, and dry. The back is straight, the loin short and strong. The withers are pronounced, the chest deep with moderately sprung ribs. The belly is slightly tucked up. The croup is slightly sloping, smoothly transitioning to the tail. The body lines are harmonious, emphasizing strength, endurance, and agility. The body format allows free movement and balance while working with livestock or performing service tasks. The correct body ensures dynamic movement and confidence, combining strength and elegance.
Tail
The tail is of medium length, set low, straight or slightly curved. It is carried down when at rest and slightly raised when moving. The coat is dense and close-fitting, matching the overall body lines. The tail completes the silhouette, enhancing body balance and proportions. A tail that is too short, curled, limp, or out of harmony with the body is not acceptable. The correct tail of the American Shepherd emphasizes confidence, activity, and working character, reinforcing the overall impression of strength and structural harmony.
Front Limbs
Front limbs are straight, strong, with well-developed muscles. The shoulder blades are long, sloping, and close to the body, forming approximately a 90° angle with the upper arm. Forearms are straight and parallel, with elbows close to the body. Pasterns are springy and slightly sloping. Feet are oval, compact, with strong pads and nails. The limbs provide stability, strength, and movement amplitude, allowing the dog to work efficiently on a pasture and exhibit agility and endurance during active tasks.
Hind Limbs
Hind limbs are powerful, muscular, and well-angulated, providing a strong push and stability. Thighs are long with well-developed muscles. The stifle joints are well-defined, with balanced angulation. Lower legs are dry and strong, with low-set hock joints ensuring resilience in movement. Metatarsi are short, nearly vertical. Feet are compact, with resilient pads. The hind limbs function in harmony with the front limbs, producing a free, energetic, and balanced gait.
Gait and Movement
Gait is free, energetic, and springy, with good propulsion from the rear and smooth reach in the front. The topline remains straight and stable during movement, with no sagging. Movements are straight and balanced, demonstrating endurance, agility, and confidence. At the trot, the stride is elastic and harmonious, without stiffness or pigeon-toeing. Movements should be natural and functional, reflecting activity, strength, and readiness to work. Any rhythm disruptions, body sway, or weak rear thrust are considered faults.
Coat
The coat is of medium length, close-fitting, straight, or slightly wavy. The undercoat is moderate, dense, providing thermal insulation and protection from moisture and cold. Hair on the tail and neck may be slightly longer. Regular brushing is recommended to maintain a neat appearance. Sparse, soft, or excessively long coat that ruins the typical silhouette and functionality is not acceptable. The correct coat highlights the musculature, outline, and working potential of the American Shepherd.
Permissible Colors
All colors are allowed: black, gray, red, fawn, tricolor, with tan or white markings. Color should be rich, even, and glossy, emphasizing muscle definition. White markings are allowed on the chest, limbs, or muzzle but should not cover more than one-third of the body. Muddy, washed-out, or uneven colors that disrupt the harmony of the dog’s appearance are not desirable. The correct color emphasizes breed type, activity, and strength while maintaining aesthetic appeal and recognizability.
Size
Height at the withers: males 51–58 cm, females 46–53 cm. Weight: males 25–35 kg, females 20–30 kg. The body format is slightly elongated, with the body length exceeding the height at the withers. Proportions must be balanced, without signs of heaviness or frailty. The dog should appear strong, enduring, and agile, maintaining an elegant and sporty outline. All measurements and proportions are designed to ensure agility, stability, and functionality for work and active life.
Faults
Faults include weak musculature, overly long or short body, soft or sparse coat, light eyes, unpigmented nose, low-set or oversized ears, weak angulation. Behavioral faults: shyness, stubbornness without obedience, excessive excitability. Any deviations disrupting structural harmony, movement dynamics, or working potential are undesirable and reduce breed type.
Disqualifying Faults
Disqualifying faults: aggression or cowardice; overshot or undershot bite; missing more than three teeth; blue, light, or heterochromatic eyes; depigmented nose, eyelids, or lips; fully erect or cropped ears; curled, short, or limp tail; long, soft, or wavy coat; pronounced body or limb deformities; excessive white or non-standard color; signs of crossbreeding. Dogs with these defects are subject to disqualification.
Important Notes
The American Shepherd requires regular physical and mental activity, an active lifestyle, training, and socialization. The breed is intelligent, attentive, and loyal, learns easily, and gets along well with the family. Coat care includes brushing and maintaining cleanliness. In breeding, focus is placed on mental balance, health, and preservation of working qualities. The dog should remain active, confident, obedient, and structurally sound, fully realizing its herding and guarding potential.
Conclusion
The American Shepherd is a versatile working dog that combines herding, guarding, and sporting abilities. It is loyal, intelligent, enduring, and agile, quick to learn and proactive in work. The breed is suitable for an active family, sports, herding, and protection. The appearance of the American Shepherd is harmonious: a muscular body, proportional head, expressive eyes, strong limbs, and dynamic movement. Proper training and care reveal its strength, intelligence, and loyalty, making the dog a reliable, confident, and obedient companion capable of working effectively and living actively.
