Black Australian Shepherd Guide: Black Tri, Black Bi & All Black

Australian Shepherds often feature black in their coat whether that is an all black coat, a bi-color coat or a tri-color coat. Whichever type of black coat an Australian Shepherd has, they are sure to be loyal, intelligent and affectionate so it’s no surprise that they’re such a popular breed.

If you are interested in Black Australian Shepherds keep reading this article to find out the all the answers to your questions about this dog breed!

Table of Contents

Black Australian Shepherd Appearance

Black Australian Shepherds feature a jet black solid coat with a black nose and dark eyes. They have a black, thick, double layer coat that is medium in length. They also have long black tails and black floppy ears.

Black Australian Shepherds also come in black coat patterns such as tri-color black coats and bi-color black coats. These are most commonly black and white or black, white and tan however you can get other pattern variations.

Are Black Australian Shepherds Rare?

Besides solid Red Australian Shepherds, solid Black Australian Shepherds are one of the rarest coat colors. The merle gene is inherited in a dominant fashion so only one copy needs to be present for the coat to be diluted rather than solid. This is the main reason why you don’t come across solid black Australian Shepherds that often. You are much more likely to find an Australian Shepherd that has a mainly black coat with other colors through it such as a Black Tri-color Australian Shepherd or a Black Bi-color Australian Shepherd.

What Is A Black Tri Australian Shepherd?

Black Tri Australian Shepherds feature three colors in their coat: black, white and tan. Their coat is predominately black, with white being the next most prominent color and finally tan. They usually feature a large white patches on their chest, belly, neck and muzzle and small tan patches on the sides of their muzzle, above their eyes and in places where their black coat transitions to white.

What Is A Black Bi Australian Shepherd?

A Black Bi Australian Shepherd features two colors in their coat where the main one is black. The most common black bi-color coat for Australian Shepherds is black and white however you can also get black and tan/black and brown coats. Black and White Australian Shepherds often get mistaken for Border Collies as their white markings are in the same locations: on their chest, belly, muzzle and paws.

black and white australian shepherd — Black and White Australian Shepherd via @hazel_the_ausshole

Common Black Coat Patterns

Many Australian Shepherds feature some black on their coats. There are three types of black coat patterns including black tri, black bi and solid black coats. Black bi coats feature two colors while black tri coats feature three.

Here’s how these categories can be further broken down:

Black Bi Coats

Black and white
Black and tan
Black and brown
Black and grey

Black Tri Coat

Black, white and tan

All Black Coat

Solid black

Black Australian Shepherd Characteristics

Black Australian Shepherd Characteristics
Size	Teacup, Toy, Mini or Standard.
Temperament	Loyal, affectionate, eager to please.
Activity Levels	Moderate to high.
Exercise Requirements	30 to 60 min per day.
Lifespan	10 to 12 years.
Coat	Double coat.
Eyes	Amber or brown, occasionally blue.
Shedding	Moderate to heavy.
Apartment Adaptability	Small Australian Shepherds may be able to live in an apartment.
Good with Children	Yes.

Black Australian Shepherd Price

Black Australian Shepherds cost between $3500USD and $4000USD. Solid black is the second rarest coat color for Australian Shepherds after solid red which is why they are so expensive.

Australian Shepherds that have a bi-color or tri-color coat that has black in it are generally much cheaper than all Black Australian Shepherds. For example, a Black and White Australian Shepherd would usually cost somewhere between $2500USD and $3500USD.

Black Australian Shepherd via @blackaussie.vissla

Coat Color Patterns & Variations

Black and White Australian Shepherd

Black and White Australian Shepherds feature a mainly black coat with a large white patch on their chest, muzzle and sometimes on their legs or paws. They may also feature black spotting on their muzzle, especially around their nose. They have jet black noses and light brown eyes. Black and white is a relatively common coat pattern however Black Tri-color coats are more common.

If you want to show your Australian Shepherd and they have a black and white coat you need to make sure the placement of the white markings is acceptable according to the American Kennel Club (AKC) or your local kennel club. The AKC considers white patches on the neck, chest, legs, underside of the muzzle and/or a small spot on the head to be acceptable. White markings on the back of the hindquarters, between the withers and tail and/or on the sides between the elbows are considered to be unacceptable.

Black Tri Australian Shepherd

Black Tri Australian Shepherds feature solid black coat with white and tan patches. The majority of their coat is black and they feature a large white patch on their chest and front legs as well as a smaller white patches over their muzzle and between their eyes. Their back legs may also feature white, especially on their paws. They feature small tan patches on the sides of their muzzle, above their eyes and in places where their black coat transitions to white.

Black and Brown Australian Shepherd

Black and Brown Australian Shepherds have a bi-colored coat that is mainly black with brown points. The brown points are usually located above their eyes, on the sides of their muzzle, on the front of their neck, on their chest, lowers legs or feet. The brown can range from a light brown to a reddish-brown. They are the same as Black and Tan Australian Shepherds.

Black and Tan Australian Shepherd

Black and Tan Australian Shepherds feature a bi-colored coat that is predominately back with tan points. The tan points are usually located above their eyes, on the sides of their muzzle, on the front of their neck, on their chest, lowers legs or feet. Black and Tan Australian Shepherd is another name for a Brown and Black Australian Shepherd.

Black and Grey Australian Shepherd

Black and Grey Australian Shepherd is another name for Blue Merle Australian Shepherds however it is not commonly used. A Blue Merle Australian Shepherd (M/m) is an Australian Shepherd that has a black base coat and carries the Merle gene. The Merle gene dilutes sections of the black coat which results in their distinct coloring of black, grey and white patches. The gene may result in them having blue eyes and areas of their skin to lack pigmentation.

Merle is one of the most common coat colors for Australian Shepherds. When you think of an Australian Shepherd it’s probably one of the first things that come to mind!

Black Australian Shepherd Eye Color

Black Australian Shepherds usually have brown or amber colored eyes however they can occasionally have blue eyes. If they are a Merle Australian Shepherd they may have odd-ball or multi-colored eyes.

Black Australian Shepherd Names

Noir
Ash
Inky
Jet
Squid

Onyx
Cinder
Poppy
Scout
Dakota

Black Australian Shepherd Size

Teacup Black Australian Shepherd

A Teacup Black Australian Shepherd is the smallest Australian Shepherd size. The “teacup” size is not an officially recognised size by kennel clubs however breeders do create them. Teacup Black Australian Shepherds were originally created by breeding two Mini Black Australian Shepherds on the smaller size together until they consistently produced an even smaller dog size.

Teacup Black Australian Shepherds reach a height of 10 to 14 inches (25.4cm to 35.6cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 12 and 17 pounds (5.4kg to 7.7kg) when fully grown. They are the same size as Toy Australian Shepherds.

Teacup Australian Shepherds are already the least common Australian Shepherd size so it can be very difficult to find one with a solid black coat. Most Teacup Australian Shepherds have merle coats.

Toy Black Australian Shepherd

A Toy Black Australian Shepherd is the smallest Australian Shepherd size. Most Toy Australian Shepherds are created by breeding two Mini Black Australian Shepherds together that are on the smaller side until they consistently get the “toy” size. Nevertheless, breeders sometimes introduce smaller breeds into their lineage so they get a smaller dog much faster.

Goldendoodle Colors Guide (Black, Red, Apricot, Merle, Parti etc.)

Toy Black Australian Shepherd gets to a height of 10 to 14 inches (25.4cm to 35.6cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 12 and 17 pounds (5.4kg to 7.7kg) when fully grown. They are the same size as Teacup Australian Shepherds.

Toy Australian Shepherds are the least common Australian Shepherd size so it can be difficult finding one with a solid black coat. Most have merle coats.

Mini Black Australian Shepherd

Mini Black Australian Shepherds are the middle Australian Shepherd size – somewhere in between the Teacup/Toy Australian Shepherd and the Standard Australian Shepherd. They are a medium sized dog breed with a solid build.

Mini Black Australian Shepherds gets to a height of 13 to 18 inches (33cm to 45.7cm) tall at the shoulder and weigh between 30 and 40 pounds (13.6kg to 18.1kg) when fully grown.

The miniature size of Australian Shepherd is one of the most popular sizes. It is still very rare to find a Mini Australian Shepherd with a full black coat. Most Mini Australian Shepherd will have a black tri or black bi coat.

Standard Black Australian Shepherd

Standard Black Australian Shepherds are the largest size of the breed. A Standard Black Australian Shepherd gets to a height of 18 to 23 inches (45.7cm to 58.4cm) tall at the shoulder and weighs between 40 and 65 pounds (18.1kg to 29.5kg) when fully grown.

Out of all the Australian Shepherd sizes, you are most likely to find an all Black Australian Shepherd in this size. Black bi and black tri coats are still more common than solid black coats.

Black Australian Shepherd Shedding

Do Black Australian Shepherds Shed?

Australian Shepherds, regardless of their coat color, are moderate to heavy shedders. They shed all year round and it is particularly heavy during moulting season. As Australian Shepherds have a double coat, the thickness of their undercoat will change depending on the season. It’s thicker during winter to keep them warm and thinner in summer to keep them cool. The transitional periods towards winter or summer are the two periods where shedding will be much heavier than normal.

The best way to reduce the amount that your dog sheds is to regularly brush them. Slicker brushes are great for dogs with single coats and deshedding tools are great for dogs with double coats.

If you are looking for a dog breed that doesn’t shed that much, a single coated breed is probably more suitable than a double coated one. Nearly all Poodle Mix breeds are classified as light to non-shedders so something like a Goldendoodle, Labradoodle, Sheepadoodle, Bernedoodle or Aussiedoodle would be suitable if you are still looking for a larger dog breed. If you love the temperament or look of an Australian Shepherd, an Aussiedoodle would be your best option as they are a cross between an Australian Shepherd and a Poodle.

Are Black Australian Shepherds Hypoallergenic?

Black Australian Shepherds are not hypoallergenic as they release a considerable amount of allergy inducing dander into their immediate environment. Dog allergy symptoms are usually caused by dander which is composed of tiny particles of skin shed by dogs along with a bit of their fur. It can be really problematic as dander is so small and can linger in air for long periods of time.

Allergy symptoms can also flare up from the proteins founds in dog saliva, urine and feces. Like dander, dried saliva can flake off a dog’s skin or fur and become airborne.

Black Australian Shepherd Pros & Cons

Black Australian Shepherd Pros	Black Australian Shepherd Cons
Black Australian Shepherd coats stay looking cleaner for longer as dirt can be hidden in it.	Solid Black Australian Shepherds are very rare and expensive.
If you find a Solid Black Australian Shepherd you know you have a very unique dog!	Black Australian Shepherds are a high energy breed that requires lots of exercise each day otherwise they can become destructive.
Black Australian Shepherds are very intelligent and hardworking.	Black Australian Shepherds are heavy shedders and are not hypoallergenic.
Black Australian Shepherds are very loyal and develop very strong bonds with their owners.	Black Australian Shepherds can be territorial and over-protective of their family.