White markings are part of what makes Australian Shepherds so eye-catching. From bold blazes to split faces, no two Aussies look exactly alike. But when white begins to dominate the head, questions often come up:

How much white is too much?
Is it just cosmetic—or does it matter for health and function?

The answer lies somewhere in between, and understanding it requires looking at breed standards, pigment placement, and genetics, not just appearance.

What the Breed Standard Says About White

Australian Shepherd breed standards (AKC and ASCA) allow white markings, but they do place limits—especially on the head.

In general:

• White should not dominate the head
• Solid pigment around both eyes
• Excessive white around the eyes or ears is discouraged

Dogs with overwhelming white on the head may be faulted or disqualified in conformation, even if they are otherwise sound. This is what the standards say:

On all colors the areas surrounding the ears and eyes are dominated by color other than white

Take Marshal for example.

Marshal is technically mismarked under the breed standard due to reduced pigment around the eyes. From a conformation standpoint, this would be faulted.

That said, mismarked does not mean unhealthy.

Marshal is fully sighted, hearing, structurally sound, and temperamentally stable. Her lack of pigment affects show eligibility—not her quality of life or function as an Australian Shepherd. It would make her ineligible for conformation, however.

AKC Breed Standard
ASCA Breed Standard

A Real-World Example: Same Parents, Very Different White

This image is a powerful real-world example of why white markings are not always predictable.

In this litter:

• The sire and dam share the same genetics at the merle and white spotting loci (m/m, S/S)
• There is no double merle breeding
• The pairing itself is genetically responsible

And yet, the puppies show dramatically different head markings:

• Some have balanced faces with strong pigment around the eyes
• Others have extensive white covering most of the head
• A few show white that encroaches heavily around the eyes and ears

This variation occurs because white expression exists on a spectrum. Even ethical, intentional breeding can produce puppies with more white than expected, which is why we as breeders have to be very conscious of the amount of white on each dogs head when we consider pairing.

What This Image Teaches Us

This single litter highlights several important truths:

1. Excessive white does not automatically mean irresponsible breeding
White variation can occur even when genetics are well understood and thoughtfully paired; however, this should not be a repeated pairing.

2. Pigment placement matters more than total white
A puppy with more white but good eye and ear pigment may carry less risk than a puppy with less white but poor pigment placement.

3. Puppies must be evaluated individually
Breeders assess each puppy’s markings, structure, temperament, and health—not just color.

Why Too Much White Can Be a Concern

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Excessive white on the head is linked to reduced pigment, which may increase risk for:

• Congenital deafness
• Vision issues
• Sun sensitivity, especially on pink skin

It’s important to be clear:

• White does not automatically mean blind or deaf.
• Many white-headed Aussies live full, healthy lives.
• Predominantly white Aussies (more than just the head) are most likely the result of merle-to-merle breeding, which is a huge red flag and is completely preventable.

However, as pigment decreases—especially around the ears and eyes—the statistical risk increases, which is why responsible breeders monitor it closely.

Genetics Play a Role—but Not the Whole Story

White markings are influenced by:

• The white spotting (S) locus
• Interactions with other patterning genes
• Developmental factors that affect expression

This is why two genetically similar puppies can look very different. Genetics guide possibilities—but they don’t guarantee identical outcomes.

Is a White-Headed Aussie “Bad”?

Absolutely not.

A puppy with excessive white may be:

• A wonderful pet
• An excellent performance dog
• A poor conformation prospect

That distinction matters. Ethical breeders place puppies based on what suits them best—not just what looks flashiest. Even ethical breeders will sometimes produce dogs with too much white; though, we should not repeat that litter. We should not be using these dogs as breeding candidates unless they are thoughtfully paired to a minimal white dog.

What We Look For at Queen City Farm

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At Queen City Farm, our goal is balance:

• Breeding to the standard -> this means full pigment around the eyes and the ears of breeding dogs
• Sound structure and temperament
• Intentional pairings backed by health testing

While markings are part of the picture, they are never our only priority. We breed Australian Shepherds to be functional, healthy, and true to the breed.

If you want to learn more about us, check out these links:

Meet Our Dogs
Our Breeding Philosophy
Available Litters

Have questions about markings, genetics, or how we place our puppies?

Contact Us

Does a white head mean an Aussie will be deaf?

No. Many white-headed Aussies hear perfectly well. Risk increases with reduced pigment, but testing and evaluation matter more than appearance alone.

Can puppies gain pigment as they grow?

Minor changes can occur, but large white areas usually remain white into adulthood.

Is excessive white allowed in the show ring?

No. Excessive white on the head is faulted or disqualified in conformation due to the breed standard. Learn more about the AKC and ASCA breed standard here.

Should I avoid a puppy with a lot of white?

Not necessarily. Ask about health testing, hearing checks, and placement suitability; however if you are wanting to do conformation, you need to assure it meets the breed standard.