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Australian Cattle Dog
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Breed Information |
Group: Working Weight: 14.0 - 16.0kgs Height: 43.0 - 51.0cm Appearance: The Australian Cattle Dog has a weather resistant double coat. The outer coat is flat, hard, straight, and close. The under coat is dense and short. The color of the coat comes in blue, red speckle, blue speckle, or blue-mottled. The blue coat has markings of black, blue, or tan. Puppies are born white. However, adult coat color is visible in the pads of the paws. This breed is a seasonal shedder.
Temperament: Like many herding dogs, Cattle Dogs have high energy levels and active minds. They need plenty of exercise and a job to do, such as participating in dog sports, learning tricks, or other activities that engage their minds. Some individuals find repetitive training frustrating and dull, so owners should aim to make training sessions varied and more exciting in order to keep their dog interested. Cattle Dogs who do not receive the appropriate exercise and entertainment will invent their own, often destructive, activities. These dogs are, by nature, wary. They are naturally cautious, and grow more so as they age. Their cautious nature towards strangers make them perfect guard dogs, when trained for this task. Cattle Dogs drive cattle by nipping at their heels, but they have also been known to herd other animals, such as ducks, chickens, humans, and flocks of ground-feeding parrots without instruction when left to their own devices.To relieve the urge to nip, the Australian Cattle Dog can be encouraged to pick up and chew a toy or stick that is thrown for them. The Australian Cattle Dog, given a toy that would last another dog for an extended time, will happily sit down with the object between its paws and skilfully shred it into small pieces. An Australian Cattle Dog will remove the fuzz from a tennis ball as neatly as it would skin a rabbit. Any toy left with the Australian Cattle Dog needs to be extremely robust if it is to last.The Australian Cattle Dog is gregarious to other dogs with whom it is familiar, working well in combination with other Australian Cattle Dogs, Kelpies, and Border Collies. Because of their plucky nature, the establishing of an order can result in a few scuffles and bites.It is important for an owner to quickly establish a hierarchy in which they are the dog's pack leader, otherwise the young Australian Cattle Dog may bond to a senior dog, rather than to its owner. As an urban pet, if the young Australian Cattle Dog is allowed to bond too strongly with some senior dog in the neighbourhood, it can be very difficult for the owner to then establish control. With unknown dogs, particularly males, the Australian Cattle Dog can be aggressive and fearless.
Health: The data on mortality and morbidity in Australian Cattle Dogs are minimal.
cardiac (13%), and old age (13%). Prone to hip dysplasia, PRA, and deafness.
History: The precise origins of the "Blue Heeler" are not known, but they appear to have been a distinct breed as early as 1897. It began when Smithfields were originally used in Australia for herding cattle. They were noisy and bit too hard, so they were bred with the Dingo, a wild dog prevalent in Australia. The resulting crosses were known as “Timmins Biters,” which were quieter, but still bit hard.
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Choosing a Australian Cattle Dog
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If you are looking to buy a Australian Cattle Dog or to adopt, please make sure you understand as much as you can about this breed. Every dog has different wants and needs, so it is important to do your research on the breed you are interested in. In this way, you can be more certain that you will be able to provide the care and requirements that the breed needs. Back to Breeds page
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