The Australian Cattle Dog comes from Australia. There, these dogs have been bred for years to be able to herd difficult livestock. That was a challenging task for which they needed a lot of energy and had to be independent. You still notice that. As an owner you must be confident, because this dog will otherwise run you over. But if you are clear and consistent with them, they are loyal to you for life. Find out here if the Australian Cattle Dog will fit into your household.
Blended for herding challenging livestock
The history of the Australian Cattle Dog begins in, you guessed it, Australia. In the 19th century, cattle herders brought Collies to the country. Only the Collies weren’t tough enough against the harsh conditions and difficult cattle. So for sixty years they bred all kinds of dogs with different characteristics.
Like Shepherd Dogs, Dingoes, Collies, Bull Terriers, Dalmatians and the Kelpie. Finally, the Cattle Dog was created at the end of the 19th century. This dog breed herded cattle by biting the cattle in the heels, worked with people, showed initiative and could stand up well to different weather conditions. For in Australia there was extreme rain, heat and cold.
The character traits of the Australian Cattle Dog
These Cattle Dogs are courageous dogs. In addition, they have tremendous stamina. This makes them excellent hunting dogs. But these fun dogs have even more advantageous traits. For example, they are very smart, they love to work, they are eager to learn and loyal to their pack. But they do not like strangers, which is typical for sheepdogs. They are therefore distant towards strangers.
The Australian Cattle Dog also has some challenging character traits. As a hunting dog he is used to working independently and he likes to push his own way. It is therefore important that this breed of dog knows its ranking and place in the family. It often happens that these dogs focus on someone in the family and see this person as their boss. He then listens to this well and is very involved and loyal. However, because he is so focused on a person, he may develop separation anxiety.
Male dogs tend to be impatient with other dogs. Because it is a dog with some feisty traits, it is a dog for people who are a little more knowledgeable about dogs than the average person. When you raise the Australian Cattle Dog consistently, he will listen to you well. Are you too rough with him in handling? They are, despite their courageous nature, also a sensitive dogs. This can make your dog show annoying behavior, such as biting. He therefore needs clarity.
This is what the Cattle Dog looks like
The Australian Cattle Dog looks strong and muscular. His broad head is powerful, his ears just small and these are in points on his head. The ears are set fairly far apart. The chest of these dogs is muscular and moderately wide. This dog breed has a short double coat. Its undercoat is also short and dense.
The color of his coat is different. For example, this dog occurs in red (red speckled) and blue with a tan color (blue mottled, blue speckled). Males often have a height at the withers between 46 and 51 centimeters. Females are slightly smaller, with a height at the withers between 43 and 48 centimeters. The Australian Cattle Dog weighs about 16 to 21 pounds.
Simple care of the Australian Cattle Dog
The coat care of the Australian Cattle Dog is actually pretty easy. You only need to brush his coat once or twice a week to get rid of loose hairs. During the molt you can brush what you want, everywhere you come across dog hair. These quadrupeds simply lose a lot of hair.
If your dog is dirty, you can usually let the dirt dry and then brush it out. Do you want to give him a bath anyway? Don’t do this too often and only use mild dog shampoo. It is wise to regularly check the eyes and ears, so that the dirt does not stay in them too long. Also pay attention to the nails of your dog. Cut these at if they are too long. You can also let the vet do this.
Quality food with protein
Like all dogs, the Australian Cattle Dog is descended from predators. Meat is therefore something they like to eat and which is good for their bodies. Preferably give your dog food that is free of grains and contains high-quality protein. Pay close attention to your dog’s figure, as the amounts on bags of food are guidelines.
Some Australian Cattle Dogs are quite greedy, so they soon become too fat. You must also be careful with snacks. Do not give him too many snacks and adjust the amount of food accordingly. You can give your dog the occasional tripe or ox ears for his chewing needs. Besides good nutrition, you must also always ensure that your dog has fresh water.
Hereditary diseases that plague Australian Cattle Dogs
Some lines of Australian Cattle Dogs are more vulnerable to hereditary diseases. So always get your dog from a reputable breeder. There are a number of diseases and conditions that you should consider. Such as possible deafness. In this dog breed, more than 1 in 10 is deaf in one or both ears.
A reputable breeder therefore does audiometric hearing tests. Also, the eyes of these dogs are more sensitive. Thus, their eyes may be affected, by lens luxation. Hereby the lens in the front eye socket lies lower. Without treatment this leads to cataracts and blindness. You can exclude this disease by having genetic tests done.
The Australian Cattle Dogs also often have disorders of the spine. Such as spondylosis and Foresier’s disease (DISH). The first disease is not always hereditary. But it can be predicted from the X-rays of the parents of the litter. The parents will have increased bone mass, which is visible on these pictures. The hips of the parents should also be tested, as this breed is prone to hip dysplasia. Australian Cattle Dogs can reach an average age of between 12 and 18 years.
Consistent and confident behavior is important with these dogs
As the owner of the Australian Cattle Dog, you need to be good at what you do. Consistency is very important, because if you are a little insecure, this dog breed exploits it. They have a very strong will of their own. As a boss you must therefore be calm and confident. But you should not be too hard on these dogs, because they certainly have a sensitive side.
Early socialization is also very important with this breed, because they are aloof towards strangers and males can make problems with other dogs. Through proper socialization, this dog learns that other dogs and people are fine. Above all, reward good behavior and raise the alarm if you notice your dog exhibiting negative behavior.
This is what you pay for an Australian Cattle Dog
The price of an Australian Cattle Dog varies a lot, from $500 all the way up to more dan $2000. This amount is kept by the association. In addition, of course, you also spend money on things that a dog needs. Think of food, food and drinking bowl, a basket, annual vaccinations, check-ups at the vet, possible puppy course or dog training and treats. Besides the purchase, a dog always costs you extra money. But you also get a lot of love in return.
Energy for 10!
Be prepared if you take an Australian Cattle Dog into your household. It is namely a dog with lots of energy. Which is nice if you also like sports and being outside. This dog breed loves to play frisbee, as well as flyball and agility. Because these dogs need a lot of exercise, it is wise to give them a home with lots of space around it.
So that they can enjoy themselves in the garden or the piece of land to rummage around. In a house in the city this dog will not be as happy as in a farm house. Be careful that your dog does not jump over the fence, they are excellent jumpers. Count on about two hours of exercise a day, which includes not only physical challenge, but mental challenge as well.
Recognition of the Australian Cattle Dogs
The breed standard for the Australian Cattle Dog was established in Australia in 1903. In the year 1980 this dog breed was recognized by the AKC. There are several recognized breeders in the United States where you can buy a puppy.
A beautiful dog with a manual!
The Australian Cattle Dog is a beautiful dog to see. They also have a manual. They are dogs with a lot of stamina. Count on spending two hours a day walking and exercising with this dog. Besides that you need to have a lot of time, you also need to be strong in your shoes. These dogs only take orders from an owner who is calm and confident. When you are, you have a buddy for life.
