The Australian Cattle Dog is also known as Australian Cattle Dog or australian cattle dog It also goes by two different names depending on the type of coat it develops: blue heeler or red heelerThis dog has incredible skills for training, herding and physical exercise, being an outstanding dog in different dog sports.
The cattle dog is an excellent dog but not a dog for any owner. Its great physical needs, mental stimulation and education make it practically exclusive for people experienced in dog ownership.
In this breed file on our site we will tell you everything you need to know if you are considering adopting an Australian Cattle Dog, telling you everything about his behavior, character, the care he needs or how he should be your education. Do not forget to comment and share your opinions, keep reading:
Australian Cattle Dog Story
Unlike the Australian Sheepdog, the Australian Cattle Dog did originate in Australia European settlers who had immigrated to Australia in the late of the 18th century and the beginning of the 19th century, they needed cattle dogs capable of dealing with wild cattle in the harshest environmental conditions. Unfortunately for them, the dogs they had brought were not able to withstand the hot weather and the extreme working conditions.
So, in 1840, a man named Hall decided to cross some upland blue-blackbird collies with dingoes The result was the forerunner of today's Australian Cattle Dog. Later crosses included the Dalmatian, the Bull Terrier and the Australian Kelpie. In the end, a tireless, intelligent and brave dog was obtained, capable of handling the most unfriendly cattle in the most extreme conditions. The Australian Cattle Dog is not the most popular dog today, but it enjoys a good number of fans who share their lives, dog sports and working with livestock with it. He is an incredible dog not suitable for any owner.
Australian Cattle Dog Characteristics
This dog's body is strong, muscular and agileIt has great strength and should be neither coarse nor weak. It is slightly longer than it is tall and has a level (not sloping) topline. The chest is deep and muscular. The head is stocky but well proportioned to the rest of the body, and its features reveal that this breed has dingo blood. The nose is black. The eyes are oval, medium and dark brown. They have a lively and intelligent look, which is suspicious when strangers approach. The ears are medium, wide at the base, muscular, erect and somewhat pointed.
The tail is set on moderately low and reaches almost to the hock. When the dog is at rest, the tail hangs with a slight curve. When the dog is in action, he raises his tail, but not beyond vertical
The Australian Cattle Dog's coat is soft and double-layered. The outer layer has very close, hard, smooth hairs that are well attached to the body. The undercoat is short and dense. The coat can be blue (blue, mottled blue, dotted blue, which may have blue, black or tan markings) or mottled red (small red spots distributed throughout the body, including the inner layer, and may have spots). darker red on the head). Here is the differentiation between red heeler and blue heeler, the two names that accept the different coats of the cattle dog.
These dogs are medium-sized, and the height at the withers for males is between 46 and 51 centimeters. The height at the withers of females varies between 43 and 48 centimeters. The weight is usually between 25 and 50 kilograms, depending on the size of the dog.
Australian Cattle Dog Character
These dogs are characterized by being very loyal, energetic, tireless, brave, tenacious and terribly intelligent They are very attached to one person, reason why it is said that they are "dogs of a single master". They are excellent guardians and can be very fierce when it comes to defending what is theirs. His temperament is much better suited to working as a cattle dog than to any other activity.
The qualities of this dog have not gone unnoticed by the large number of people who have enjoyed his company. His great physical and mental abilities are a real challenge for any experienced owner. As we have previously commented, the cattle dog is not a dog for everyone Its restlessness, intelligence and physical strength will need a proactive, energetic owner who is eager to stimulate your dog (in obedience and through games). They also need a lot of physical exercise and the fact is that They are not good pets for sedentary families or for people inexperienced in handling dogs.
If we consider having an Australian Cattle Dog, we must be sure that we can meet his physical needs, which may involve several daily walks, exercise, excursions, obedience and stimulation.
Australian Cattle Dog Care
This is one of the dog breeds where coat care is very simple Brushing once is usually enough per week to keep the coat of the Australian Cattle Dog in shape. And it is not necessary or good to bathe the dog very often, but only do it when it is really necessary. The minimum space between baths should be one month, otherwise we could be removing the skin's natural protective layer.
Australian Cattle Dogs need a lot of exercise and a lot of attention We must remember that they are not dogs to be left alone in the garden. They will feel comfortable in a rural environment where they can exercise in a large garden, especially if they have a packmate to run around with and enjoy the environment.
If you live in an urban environment, the cattle dog will need at least 3 daily walks in which it can eliminate its stress and anxiety. You should also have at least 10 minutes of free running off the leash. For this, the most appropriate thing would be to go to a pipi-can.
Dog sports can help channel the vast amounts of energy of Australian Cattle Dogs. However, we can also exercise with our dog together. A wonderful idea since it is a race that hates loneliness and individualized life. Discover some exercises that you can practice with your Australian Cattle Dog. Of course, the quintessential sport for Australian Cattle Dogs is herding.
Australian Cattle Dog Education
Australian Cattle Dogs are very close to their families, but tend to be suspicious and reserved around strangers. They can also be awkward with children. Therefore, it is very important to socialize them from puppies with all kinds of people, pets and with the different environments that exist (countryside, city, town, beach…). The variety in socialization of the Australian Cattle Dog puppy will be the key to achieving a sociable, happy, stable and fearless adult dog.
On the other hand, these Cattle Dogs can achieve exceptional results in some dog training speci alties, but they can also be difficult to train for more domestic chores. They are highly intelligent dogs, but their strong instincts and high energy make them difficult to train to maintain self-control in everyday situations. Especially when the trainer is inexperienced. Traditional training does not give good results with these dogs and it is that punishments, fights and mistreatment are a very negative way of developing our relationship with such an incredible dog. We must totally avoid this type of situation by using positive reinforcement, patience and the dog's own development and natural initiative. The use of the clicker, for example, is highly recommended.
Because of their characteristics as working dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs can develop behavioral problems when they are violently punished, do not receive the exercise they need or do not have any type of mental stimulation. That is when they become nervous, destructive and stressed. Most abandoned cattle dogs have been because of owners who have not understood the needs of this dog.
Australian Cattle Dog He alth
Unfortunately, even though it is almost exclusively a working dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is prone to several hereditary diseases Among the most frequent are: hip dysplasia, deafness, progressive retinal atrophy and obsessive-compulsive disorders. Cataracts, intraocular lens dislocation, and von Willebrand disease have also occasionally been diagnosed.
