Australian cattle dog
Life expectancy
12 - 14 years
Weight
Male 15 - 22 kg
Female 15 - 22 kg
Height
Male 15 - 22 kg
Female 15 - 22 kg
Hair
short,hard
Group
Shepherd dogs and cattle dogs
Nicknames
Boyero australiano,Pastor ganadero australiano
Index
Australian Cattle Dogs, as their name suggests, originate from Australia, where they are highly appreciated as working dogs leading livestock, thanks to their strength of character, resistance and ability to work for long periods of time. Over the years, these attractive dogs have quickly become a popular choice as a companion dog.
They are often called “Heelers” because of the way they herd cattle, which is by biting their heels. They can be distrustful of strangers and protective of their "family." They are loyal and very intelligent dogs. Although Australian Cattle Dogs make wonderful family pets, they are much better suited for people who live in the countryside and lead active outdoor lives.
Characteristics of the Australian cattle dog
SIZE
EXERCISE NEEDS
EASY TO TRAIN
GOOD WITH CHILDREN
KINDNESS TO OTHER PETS
HEALTH OF THE BREED
COST TO KEEP
INTELLIGENCE
TOLERANCE TO BEING ALONE
Why choose a Australian cattle dog?
PROS
The Australian Cattle Dog is a loyal and affectionate pet.
They are incredibly brave and protective, which is why they are known for being good watchdogs.
They are very intelligent and, in the right hands and environment, easy to train.
They are one of the most "natural" breeds and, therefore, healthy dogs.
They don't require much maintenance in terms of grooming and rarely smell "dog-like."
They excel in all types of dog sports, such as agility and obedience.
They are best suited to people familiar with their needs and who lead an active outdoor life.
CONS
Australian Cattle Dogs need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation.
Being a breed bred to drive cattle, it is their nature to "pinch" to keep things moving.
They are very territorial.
They are not the best option for first-time owners.
They can be stubborn, so good education and socialization at an early age is essential.
Australian cattle dog puppies for sale
Whoops! We're very sorry
We currently don't have any puppy litters available
Origin and history of the Australian cattle dog
Australian Cattle Dogs have been around since the 18th century in their native Australia, they were developed by cattle farmers because the herding dogs they carried with them or imported could not cope with the extreme conditions and type of livestock they had to work. The main requirement was a biting and strong dog, with great resistance.
The Australian Cattle Dog is the result of careful, if intensive, crossbreeding in its native Australia, as the dogs imported to perform such field tasks were not up to the task of long walks over difficult terrain.
Much research was carried out to determine its origin but no information has been recorded by the early breeders, so there is a marked divergence of opinion as to the breeds used to develop the dog we know today. In general, however, it is recognized that it results from the crossing of the short-haired blue merle Collie with the Dingo, with a later incorporation of the Dalmatian and the black and tan Kelpie. Another crossbreeding was attempted, such as with the Bull Terrier, which turned out to be unsatisfactory.
The first breed standard was established in 1903, after which a man named Robert Kaleski, who also wrote many books on the breed, kept further records of these dogs. The Australian Cattle Dogs, who thought very independently, soon gained a reputation for being very intelligent and able to work on their own without always needing to rely on people to tell them what to do.
Australian cattle dog breeders
Whoops! We're very sorry
We currently don't have any breeders
Character ofthe Australian cattle dog
Australian Cattle Dogs are famous for both their bravery and their intelligence. His loyalty and protective instinct make him a guardian dog for his livestock, his property and his family. They are also known to be very distrustful of people they don't know. As cattle dogs, they are totally dedicated to the job they were bred to do, which is herding livestock over long distances when called upon. He is always alert, very intelligent, vigilant, courageous and trustworthy.
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the most "natural" breeds and, therefore, has very few hereditary or congenital health problems, so common in other pure breeds. Being so intelligent and active, he excels in many dog sports, such as agility, obedience, and other dog sports activities. They are high energy dogs and therefore should receive the right amount of exercise and mental stimulation to be truly happy and well-rounded dogs.
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Australian Cattle Dog was bred to “pinch” livestock and as such this is something they do naturally, especially when excited by anything. That is why you should be especially careful with small children when they get too rambunctious.
The Australian Cattle Dog is not a couch dog and is not a good choice for people who lead a sedentary life. However, they are the perfect dog for families and people who work outdoors or spend as much time as possible in nature.
Curiosities about the Australian cattle dog
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the breeds that boasts a long life. A dog named Bluey lived to be 29 years and 5 months old. He worked with both sheep and cattle for about 20 years before retiring.
Traditionally, Australian Cattle Dogs had their tails docked; currently, thanks to the European Convention on the Protection of Pet Animals, this is prohibited.
Names for Australian cattle dog
Layo, Nor, Kira, Harper
The Australian cattle dog of our breeders
Whoops! We're very sorry
There are currently no dogs of this breed