The Australian Cattle Dog is a relatively new breed and it is a manufactured breed. The terrible heat, dusty and arid conditions found in many parts of Australia require far more stamina in both man and dog than the wind, rain, snow in UK. One species of dog that had lived and hunted with the aborigine people was Dingo. Thomas S. Hall crossed the Dingo with two Blue Merle Highland Collies of proved working ability.
The Australian Cattle Dog is primarily a working dog. Its loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian of the herd and the property. while being naturally suspicious of strangers, the breed is amenable to handling in the show ring.
This breed's heritage equips it to work in blistering sun or freezing winds. It innately knows what to do and how to do it. Do not expect the Australian catle dog to harness physical and psychic energy and keep it in reserver until its owner is ready for a restrained walk around the block. There is no such thing as a cattle dog that has nothing to do. If a cattle dog's owner does not provide the dog with assigned duties, the dog will create its own activity schedule and, rest assured, more often than not the activities involved will seldom please the owner.
Photo courtesy of der Hundund (hundund.de)
On the other hand, if the prospective owner of an Australian cattle dog is an active person who also derives as much pleasure from training a dog as this breed derives from being trained, this person will undoubtedly join the ranks of the thousands of cattle dog owners who consider the breed one of the most trainable and intelligent in existence.
If an acitivity calls for speed, endurance, athletic ability and intelligence, the Australian cattle dog is a gret candidate. There is such a wide array of events this breed is capable of competing in that it is highly unlikely that even an owner whose energy and athletic ability registers at decathion level will exhaust this breed's potential.
The Australian cattle dog's scenting ability makes it a perfect candidate for drug and explosives detection as well as search-and-rescue work. They are also proving that they can be wonderful therapy dogs for the aged and infirmed.
The wonderful thing about all this is that the more involved and the more proficient your dog in any or all of the above, the better it will become at being your best buddy and companion.
The Australian cattle dog, which sheds heavily in the spring, reuires daily brushing during shedding season. This dog needs a lot of exercise; such as daily vigorous romps and/or fast-paced walks.
Small children playing and squealing will trigger its herding insctinct unless the dog is exposed to such behavior at an early age.
The Australian Cattle Dog is a strong, healthy breed that herds cattle by nipping at their heels but without the nonstop barking common to many other herders. Wary by nature, the Australian Cattle Dog needs early obedience training and social contact with both people and other animals. The Australian Cattle Dog is extremely intelligent, alert, watchful, trustworthy and loyal. It has a strong devotion to duty and to the protection of man and property.
The early cattle ranchers of Australia required a tough dog with great stamina and able to bite that would be capable of controlling large herds of cattle that grazed on unfenced properties and rugged bushland.
They managed to create an ideal working dog - tenacious, agile and hardy.
The Australian Cattle dog is truly a versatile dog. Not only are they great working dogs, but they are also fine family companions - loyal, intelligent, obedient and very protective of the family and property. One should bear in mind that this breed tends to be dominant and will often try to establish its leadership in the pack. Puppies and young dogs must be trained in a firm and consistent manner. As these dog work silently, they are quiet indoors and will only bark when provoked.
The breed is known to be hardy, still you will be well advised to make sure that the breeder made every effort to produce puppies from the stock that has clearances for the following inherited diseases: patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and deafness.
Photo courtesy of Australian Cattle Dog
Health & Behavioral Issues
Responsible breeders will screen their breeding stock for hereditary diseases:
1. Hip Dysplasia (OFA certification of hips after 2 years of age. Preliminary x-rays may be done at an earlier age.)
2. Cataracts (CERF certification)
3. Deafness (merle coated)
4. Canine Dermatomyositis
5. Portosystemic shunt
6. Progressive retinal atrophy
7. Retinal dysplasia
8. Cystine urolithiasis