Australian Cattle Dog

History

The Australian Cattle Dogs one of the dogs referred to as the “big tandem” herding dogs of Australia. It would not be an exaggeration if we say that the Kelpie and the Kettledog / Cattle Dog are the reason why Australia is at the forefront of the world in the “Livestock” industry. 

The story goes that Australian settlers in the 19th century created the dog, driven by the need to cope with the large, semi-wild herds of animals that grazed undisturbed across Australia’s vast grasslands. Farmers urgently needed a four-legged friend, smart and hardy, to help them in their work. Then the sheep breeder Thomas Hall, a native of New South Wales, crossed a short-haired collie, which he imported from Scotland, with the Australian wild dog, the dingo. The dogs that were born were called Hall’s Heelers after their creator and were forbidden to breed or leave his farm. It was only after Hall’s death, when his estate, along with the dogs, were sold at auction that the new dog breed became public knowledge. The breeders put their hand to the animals, continuing the experimental crosses with Dalmatian, bull terrier and kelpie,

In Europe and the USA, the breed arrived later, but it enjoys increasing popularity.

Appearance

The Australian Cat Dog is a compact, powerful and symmetrical dog. Male representatives reach up to 51 cm in height and weigh about 23 kg, females – up to 48 cm and 20 kg. The head of the Cattle Dog is in proportion to the body. The muzzle is broad and well filled under the eyes, medium length, deep and powerful. The nose is black, no matter what color the dog itself is. The ears are medium-sized, wide at the base, muscular, straight. Eyes – medium-sized, oval-shaped, neither prominent nor sunken, with an intelligent and lively expression. The back is muscular, straight and strong, the dog has wide and strong hips. The chest is very well developed, the jaws are powerful, the teeth are well arranged and large, with a scissor bite. The tail is set relatively low. The coat of the Cattle Dog is medium-long, straight, rough to the touch, with a short soft undercoat. The head and limbs are shorter. the colors characteristic of the breed are fawn, grey-bluish, and fawn with black spots. Red splashes on the limbs are possible.

Character

A tireless and hardworking dog, too smart, ready at any time to protect his master and his property. Strongly attached to its owner and quite reserved towards strangers. 

The Cattle Dog is an extremely active dog that needs constant mental and physical activity. It can be out in the yard all day, running and playing.  If you are raising it in the village, in no case should you tie it with a chain – this makes representatives of the breed asocial and gloomy. To use up his huge reserves of energy, he needs long walks, an average of 2 hours a day, and it is important that this happens in places where he can run at will. If not properly tired, the Australian Shepherd tends to fall into a state of boredom, and this can cause destructive behavior and cause him to chew and tear up objects in which he would otherwise have no interest. It is in the nature of these dogs to protect what they consider their territory. Once he accepts you as his leader, he will literally follow you in the different rooms – physical proximity to the owner is very important and key for the Cattle Dog (Kettledog).

Extremely smart, he can be stubborn at times, so consistent training is very important.  It is good for the training to start already after the second month and to be systematically upgraded with new, more complex commands. These dogs are very intelligent and will do anything to please you. An approach with physical violence is categorically denied, at the expense of encouragement with treats and bragging.

Playful and good-natured, socialization is no problem for these dogs. Meet him with other people from a little while, take him with you to noisy places, let him enjoy and get used to as many sights, sounds and experiences as possible, it can only be good for him!

Hello

The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the healthiest breeds in the dog world. Rare, but not impossible, are problems such as hip dysplasia or various types of dermatitis.

Care

Hardworking and loyal, this dog should not be left alone for extended periods of time. When it is bored, it is prone to destructive behavior. The Cattle Dog needs a home with a fenced yard or a country ranch. If you have decided on this breed, you should think carefully about whether you have the opportunity to devote the necessary time to walks and training. Because  the shepherd dog was bred to chase and run, and that’s exactly what he wants to do! If you do not live in a village or in a house, then you can consider entering your dog in dog races. Any activity that involves challenges is especially interesting and exciting for these dogs.

Eating

Unpretentious and grateful for anything you give him to munch on, this dog will enjoy both dog food, canned or kibble, and natural products with equal strength. To provide him with the necessary minerals and vitamins, which is not always possible with cooked food, use various supplements. Tubular bones, as well as raw meat or fish, are absolutely prohibited.

Children and pets

The Australian Shepherd loves its family, but does better with children if it has grown up with them from a young age. The breed’s habit of biting and chewing can be a problem in their relationship with small children. There are not a few cases where these dogs are reserved and even suspicious of the smaller members of the family.

And while with children the situation is more complicated, as for other dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog is friendly. Because it is very attached to its owner, if you decide to get another dog, be prepared that the Cattle Dog can show jealousy. 

Cats and other smaller domestic animals  are accepted by the Sheepdog as prey, and only if raised alongside them would they count as members of the household. If not, he will chase them to the end.

Blue Heeler / Australian Cattle Dog Characteristics

Blue Heeler, also known as the Australian Cattle Dog, is a hard-working breed that was originally developed in Australia for herding cattle over long distances. Here are some characteristics of Blue Heelers:

1. Appearance: Blue Heelers have a sturdy, muscular build and a short, dense coat that is usually blue or red speckled. They have pricked ears and a medium-length tail.
2. Intelligence: These dogs are highly intelligent and excel in obedience and agility training. They are quick learners and have an innate desire to please their owners.
3. Energetic: Blue Heelers are a high-energy breed that requires daily exercise and mental stimulation. They are happiest when they have a job to do, such as herding, hiking, or participating in dog sports.
4. Protective: Blue Heelers are naturally protective of their family and can be wary of strangers. They make excellent watchdogs and will alert their owners to any potential danger.
5. Independent: While they are loyal to their owners, Blue Heelers can be independent and stubborn at times. They require a firm and consistent hand in training.
6. Health: Blue Heelers are generally a healthy breed, but they may be prone to certain health issues such as hip dysplasia and deafness.
7. Longevity: The average lifespan of a Blue Heeler is 12-15 years.

Overall, Blue Heelers make excellent companions for active and experienced dog owners who can provide them with the exercise, training, and mental stimulation they require.