Despite their name, Australian Shepherds were actually developed in California, United States. These versatile doggies are steadily rising in popularity and were most recently ranked as the 12th most popular dog breed, according to the American Kennel Club.
The Black And White Australian Shepherd is a bicolor variety of the purebred Australian Shepherd. For the most part, these dogs are in every way like every other variety of the purebred dog, including their high drive and personality traits as a herding dog class. However, their unique coat type may affect their health and a few care needs.
If you are interested in getting yourself a Black And White Aussie Shepherd, there is a lot you need to prepare yourself for, as they are relatively high-maintenance dogs. To make your life and transition into Black Bi Aussie parenthood easier, here is a complete guide on all you need to know about these dogs. First off, let’s take a look at how you can pick out a Black And White Australian Shepherd by physical appearance alone.
How Big Do Black And White Australian Shepherds Get?
Black And White Aussie Shepherds are typically medium-large dogs. They measure 18 to 30 inches in height and 35 to 70 lbs in weight.
Breed Rarity
Black And White Australian Shepherds are also known as Black Bi Aussies due to their bicolor pattern. They are relatively rare as most Aussies tend to be tricolored. This unique combination among all other color and pattern combinations of Aussies is just a part of what makes the Black And White Australian Shepherd so special.
In terms of physical appearance, Black And White Australian Shepherds look like any other Australian Shepherd except for the coat pattern. Here is what you can expect from these dogs.
Coat Type
The coat of a Black And White Australian Shepherd is double-layered. The inner layer is dense with short, soft fur. On the other hand, the outer coat has long, straight, and coarse fur strands.
Colors And Patterns
The color combination and distribution are the two most important distinguishing features of a Black And White Australian Shepherd.
The acceptable distribution of this bicolor combination, according to the AKC breed standard for Aussies, includes white fur markings on the face, neck, and paws. Black should be the predominant color and should fully surround the eyes.
Facial And Skull Features
Black And White Australian Shepherds have a slightly dome-shaped skull with a long, tapering muzzle. The nose should be black in color.
The Black Bi Aussie’s ears are mid-sized and triangular. They sit characteristically high on the head. Finally, these furry beauties have almond-shaped eyes that are almost always brown but may also be blue.
How Long Do Black And White Australian Shepherds Live?
Black And White Australian Shepherds can live for 11 to 13 years, which is the same expected lifespan for most other Aussie Shepherds.
For the standard black and white variety of Aussies, the coat type is not associated with any particular health issues. However, for Merle Aussies with black and white coats, there may be hearing and vision issues.
So what are the common health issues that specifically affect Black And White Aussies? Here are a few that you should keep an eye out for.
Epilepsy
Epilepsy in Black And White Australian Shepherds is inherited as a genetic default. The condition causes a lifetime of seizures that may or may not have obvious seizures. Despite being potentially debilitating, your Aussie Shepherd can live a long and happy life with epilepsy.
Cataracts
Cataracts are opacities that form in the lens of the Black And White Australian Shepherd. They may affect one or both eyes and usually result in blindness if prompt action is not taken.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip dysplasia is a common joint issue in medium and large dog breeds, and the Black And White Australian Shepherd is unfortunately not spared. The condition is characterized by abnormal formation of the hip joint socket, which leaves the joint unstable and vulnerable to arthritis.
Ivermectin Allergies
Black And White Australian Shepherds are among an exclusive group of dog breeds that have a specific gene mutation that makes them allergic to ivermectin. This is unfortunate as the drug is often used to treat common parasitic diseases.
How To Take Care Of Your Black And White Australian Shepherd?
There is no way to put this lightly, Black And White Australian Shepherds are high-maintenance dogs. However, their versatility and cool personality traits make them worth all the effort.
You can make your work infinitely easier by understanding the Black And White Aussie’s needs and coming up with a game plan on how to take care of them adequately. Here is a bit of information that should come in handy in this regard.
Exercise Needs
Black And White Australian Shepherds are very energetic dogs. They typically require about 2 hours or more of high-intensity exercise every day. This should include things like walks or runs and exercise that engage their curiosity and high intelligence.
The awesome thing with Black And White Australian Shepherd doggies is the fact that they have no problem keeping themselves entertained. You just need to provide open space and toys to ensure these dogs meet their daily exercise needs.
Diet Needs
Black And White Australian Shepherds need a healthy and balanced diet to keep up with their active lifestyle and to keep their beautiful coats looking good.
In terms of portions, we recommend you feed your Black And White Australian Shepherd about 3 to 4 cups of food every day.
In addition to getting the portions right, you should also ensure that your doggy is eating a balanced meal. Multivitamins and mineral supplements come in very handy in this case.
Pet Plate is perfect if you wish to meet all these needs. They customize the dog’s meal plans in terms of recipes and portions based on their special needs, including the specific breed and age.
Grooming Needs
Part of raising a happy and healthy Black And White Australian Shepherd is ensuring that they are well groomed. This means clipping their nails every 2 weeks, as well as wiping their faces and eyes once every day to clean tear tracks and drool crusts.
Dental hygiene is also super important for Black And White Aussies, in which case we recommend you try dental water additives. They are convenient without compromising on the effectiveness of maintaining your dog’s oral hygiene.
Are Black And White Australian Shepherds Aggressive? Temperaments Of Black And White Australian Shepherds
Black And White Australian Shepherds are typically not aggressive unless there is a reason to be, such as when provoked or seeing their owners come to harm. When well-trained, they do not normally bite.
Here are a few traits that you have to look forward to if you take a Black And White Australian Shepherd home with you.
Versatile
Black And White Australian Shepherds are some of the most versatile of all dog breeds. They can do anything from herding and guarding to serving as support dogs and companion pets. This versatility is largely due to their personalities.
Intelligent
With versatility, Black And White Australian Shepherds are thought to be one of the smartest dogs. They are very quick to pick up on new commands and tricks which makes them very easy to train. It also helps that they are typically very obedient and eager to please.
Independent
Black Bi Aussies were developed to serve as highly independent herding dogs. Their independence comes into play as these dogs are often used to being responsible not only for themselves but also for other animals. It also makes them the perfect dog breed for busy dog lovers who may not always be home to give the pooch attention.
Affectionate
The fact that Black And White Aussies are independent does not mean that they are not loving and affectionate. If anything, Black And White Australian Shepherds love to cuddle and spend time with their favorite humans.
Alert
Black And White Aussies are always alert and acutely aware of their environment. You may have to work hard to train them to be relaxed, especially in unfamiliar environments. However, if you want a guard dog, this trait may come in handy.
Vocal
Black And White Australian Shepherds tend to bark a lot. This, again, has a lot to do with their history as herding dogs. Fortunately, their intelligence and obedience means you can very easily do bark control training for some peace and quiet.
Do Black And White Australian Shepherds Need Haircuts? Grooming Tips For Black And White Australian Shepherds
Black And White Australian Shepherds do not necessarily need haircuts in general, and shaving or keeping their coat short are highly discouraged for thermoregulation purposes. Trimming, on the other hand, is only important in getting rid of mats for the dogs’ comfort.
Despite popular misconception, Black And White Australian Shepherds do not shed any more or any less than any other Aussie Shepherd. They shed moderately throughout the year, and experience an increase in shedding volume over spring as they lose their winter coat.
Coat care is essential in adequate care for a Black And White Aussie Shepherd as their color combination is part of what makes them special. Here is all you need to know about how to groom your Black Bi Aussie’s coat.
Deshed And Detangle Regularly
Plan to brush your Black And White Aussie Shepherd at least 3 times a week. This will help reduce the shedding while also untangling knots that would have formed coat-damaging mats.
The FURminator Undercoat Tool is ideal for the job as it is specifically designed to work on dense and long coats like that on a Black And White Aussie.
Don’t Trim Unless Necessary
It is never a good idea to keep your Black And White Australian Shepherd’s fur short. This is because their coats play a huge role in thermoregulation and may leave the Black Bi Aussie either too hot or too cold.
If trimming is necessary, trim only the edges that are knotted or otherwise damaged. If the coat is healthy, then stay away from the clippers.
Wash Every 4 To 6 Weeks
Black And White Australian Shepherds do not typically get smelly. You can therefore work with a long bath interval of every 4 to 6 weeks.
What matters the most is that you use high-quality products, in which case Pro Pet Works All Natural 5 In 1 Oatmeal Shampoo stands out as your best option. This is not only a shampoo but also a conditioner, deodorizer, and moisturizer. When applied, Its oatmeal ingredient has soothing effects for irritated skin.
Related Questions
What Is The Average Cost Of A Black And White Australian Shepherd Puppy? A Black And White Australian Shepherd will cost you between $600 to $3,000. This is the same range you can expect from any other variety of the Aussie Shepherd dog breed, as the black bi variety is not considered any more or less popular than any of the other color variations.
Do Black And White Aussies Like To Swim? Black And White Aussie Shepherds love to swim, and they are actually very good at it. The brave, adventurous, and athletic doggy feels right at home in the water, which makes this one of their favorite pastime activities. However, it is always best to supervise your Black Bi Aussie Shepherd puppy, especially when they are learning how to swim.
What Is A Harlequin Australian Shepherd? The Harlequin Australian Shepherd is a variation of the merle Aussie. Harlequin Aussies have white as the base color and patches of brown, red, or even grey fur scattered all over the coat. The dark-colored patches on the Harlequin Aussie vary in size and usually have irregular margins. They are also distributed randomly over the entire coat.
