5 Surprising Facts About The Tri Australian Shepherd

Last Updated on July 4, 2023

Australian Shepherds come in many different coat colours, the most interesting of which is the tri Australian Shepherds with three color coats. Breeders and sellers often advertise coat colours, and you may see a listing for “tricolor” or “tri Aussie” puppies.

But what is a Tri Australian Shepherd? What does this mean? How does it affect the buying price of your puppy? Now, let’s dig deeper into this topic and try to get the answers to all these critical questions.

So, let’s get started.

What Are the Different Sizes of Australian Shepherds?

Australian shepherds, while they may seem like an all-in-one dog breed, they do have three different types.

• Standard Australian shepherd: This is the Australian shepherd that is commonly seen. They can come in different colours, such as tri-colored or in merle colorings. These dogs are generally 18-23 inches tall.
• Miniature Australian Shepherd: these are slightly smaller variants of the Australian shepherd; they are around 14-18 inches in size.
• Toy Australian Shepherd: These are the smallest Australian shepherd dog breeds, ranging around 10-14 inches in size. Despite their sizes, these dogs are just as energetic as standard Aussies.

The Tri Australian shepherd can generally be found in standard sizes; besides, there is little difference between a merle and a tri-colored Australian shepherd.

However, the nutritional needs of Australian shepherds of different sizes can vary owing to their size frames; Toy Australian shepherds will have lesser nutritional needs compared to either miniature or standard Aussie.

Coat Colours In Australian Shepherds

Aussies come in many shades and patterns—for example, solid coats, dual colours, and the highly sought-after tri-colored Shepherd. The double and tri-colored coats are the more common Aussies available. Dual-colored coats, typically colored white and another color, are more common. However, tri-colored coats are certainly more recognizable in this breed. These coats have scars or spots of three colours, usually white, black, or red, and copper.

What Does Tri Colour Mean

Tri-colour means that the coat has three different colours along the entire body. Aussies come in many colours, but the tri-colored coat is the most popular for Australian Shepherds.

The tri-coloration stems from getting color genes from both the mother and the father. These patches are either black or red and are sprinkled through the Aussie’s coat. Black, white, and copper or red, white, and copper are both possible with the Australian Shepherd, and a good breeder can tell you which coats are possible with each litter.

How Rare Is the Tri Colour Australian Shepherd

The tri Australian Shepherd is one of the more common colours of the Australian Shepherd. The rare color for an Aussie is solid red. Because Australian Shepherd comes in many colours, the tri-colored Shepherd is not as rare as one might think.

As a result, the tri Australian Shepherd is not all that rare, but it does require some genetic planning to get the right colours. The breeder should know roughly what colorus will come from a pairing with their dogs. A reputable breeder should be knowledgeable in this aspect.

Does Colour Affect Other Aspects of the Australian Shepherd?

In short, no. Temperament is a result of training, environment, and socialization. You can have relaxed tri-Australian puppies or playful and energetic Aussies. Some breeders advertise certain medical conditions (or lack thereof) with specific coat colours. Be wary of such breeders! It may seem enticing, but it is blatant misinformation! Also, their coat color does not indicate how healthy they may be.

The Buying Price of a Tri Australian Shepherd

Because of the unusual coloring, tri Australian Shepherds have higher prices than other Aussie coat colours. This is because of the genetic makeup that goes into a tri-Australian Shepherd. As a result, expect to pay anywhere between $800 and $1200 for a puppy! Many breeders breed the Australian Shepherd to get this coat color.

Are black Aussies Rare?

Solid black Australian shepherds are indeed rare as Australian shepherds generally come in multicolored coats such as blue merle or tri colours. Therefore, you may find an Aussie with black and other stripes, but an Australian shepherd that is entirely black can be extremely rare.

Even truly black Australian shepherds may have tan points above their eyes or on the sides of their muzzles. Tri-colored Aussies may also have black in areas such as the neck or sides of the muzzle.

What Is the Difference Between Tri and Merle?

Tri Australian shepherd can look unique compared to their merle counterparts. However, this is where the difference ends. Tri-color generally means a combination of parti and phantom, whereas merles are slightly marbled in color.

In terms of temperament and intelligence, a tri Australian shepherd has the same attributes as a merle-colored Aussie; if anything, their unique look may give them a little higher ground if they are competing against a merle Aussie.

What Is the Rarest Australian Shepherd Color?

While tri Australian shepherd is unique in looks, the rarest Aussie among these specific breeds can come in solid colours such as black or red. Red-coated Australian shepherds are the rarest, with the red-colored gene being recessive.

In simple terms, there would be a need for two parents with red fur to give birth to a red-colored Aussie. Besides these, tri-colours are also not a common occurrence among Australian shepherds, although their rarity is not as high as a solid red color.

What Are the Different Types of Australian Shepherd Fur?

Whether it be a miniature, toy, or standard Tri Australian shepherd, they have a rather lush medium-length coat that could be wavy or straight.

If your Aussie happens to have a wavy coat, then it might be essential to get them the appropriate grooming measures to ensure their coats remain in good health and have a fine texture.

Conclusion

Tri Australian Shepherds have the most attractive colored coat out of all the possible coat colours. Coupled with their ghostly blue eyes, these cute dogs will turn heads when out and about.