If you are looking for an extremely intelligent, active, and sturdy dog breed, the Australian Cattle Dog is a suitable choice for you. The Australian settlers developed this special breed to handle the herd's cattle and are still used today as a herding dog. They love to thrive in all the family activities. Even it's a purebred dog breed, you can still find them in the care of shelters and rescue groups. So, remember to look there first if you decide to adopt an Australian Cattle Dog.
They are very loyal and protective of their families. Despite their herding work, they perform well at canine sports, including agility, obedience rally, flyball, and flying disc competitions. Australian Cattle dogs need a lot of mental and physical activities to stay active and healthy. So, if you have a wider home and love to keep up with such an active pup, this is a perfect breed for you. Let's know more about this special dog breed.
History
The Australian settlers firstly
bred the Australian Cattle dogs to herd the cattle on large ranches in the 19th
century. After that, this special breed proved to expand the beef industry in
Australia. Today, the Australian Cattle dogs are the result of many breedings
and crossbreeding's. They are especially known for handling the harsh climate
of Australia with working conditions. They are not native to Australia and
firstly import from England. After that, this blue color dog became very
popular among the ranch owners and drovers and was named Blue Heelers. They are
especially popular in Queensland, where they are given the name of Queensland
Heelers or Queensland Blue Heelers.
In 1893, Robert Kaleski bred the Blue heelers and started showing them in 1897. After that, the New South Wales Kennel club approved this standard breed in 1903. Firstly, they were known as Australian Heelers, but today they are known as Australian Cattle dog, which is officially accepted throughout Australia. However, many people still love to call them Blue Heelers or Queensland Heelers. After such a long time, the American Kennel Club registers this breed in May 1980 as a working dog. But in January 1980, they transferred them into the Herding Group.
Personality
The Australian cattle dog is
an extremely active dog that needs constant mental and physical activity to
stay active. They are known for chewing different items, so if you choose
an Australian cattle dog, keep them busy and tired. They love their territory
and aggressive to defend it. But they are not necessarily unfriendly with
strangers. Once they make the bond with their owners, they are very devoted to
their owners and family. Although they are smart dogs, but proper and early
training is necessary to prevent willful and stubborn behavior.
A number of factors play a role in their temperament, including heredity, training, and socialization.
The puppies with nice temperaments love to approach the people. So, whenever you buy a puppy, make sure it has a good temperament by meeting with its siblings, parents, and friends. It also helps you to know more about puppy growth and look as an adult. Early socialization ensures that your puppy will be well-rounded when it grows up. You can take it to the busy parks or invite the visitors to socialize with your puppy.
Size
The male Australian cattle dogs are larger than the females. A male dog can have 18 to 20 inches height at the shoulder, while the females have 17 to 19 inches height. Their weight can vary from 30 to 50 pounds depending upon the gender and individuals.
Health
Generally, Australian cattle
dogs are healthy, but they can also face certain health issues like many other
dog breeds. So, if you are buying an Australian cattle dog, it's necessary to
be aware of these health issues. You need to check the health clearance
certificate whenever you are buying a puppy. It's ensured that the dog has been
tested for and cleared for particular conditions. In the case of Australian
cattle dogs, you can check the health clearance from the Orthopedic Foundation
for Animals.
The Australian Cattle dog can face progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA), Hip Dysplasia, and Deafness. PRA is an eye disease, which involves the gradual deterioration of the retina.
In the early stage, dogs become night-blind. Hip dysplasia is an inherited condition, which related to hip joints. Deafness is another inherited condition linked with color genes.
Care
These dogs are perfect for environments where they get plenty of mental and physical stimulation. You can leave these dogs alone for a long time in the apartment as they don't build separation anxiety. But they are destructive when bored and tend to chew the different items at home. So, if you have an Australian dog, make sure to provide them a proper outlet to burn their energy. They are known for herding anything, including cars.
Feeding
It's recommended to feed 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food in a day to Australian Cattle dogs. You need to divide this food into two meals. But the exact amount of food your adult dog needs depends upon its size, age, build, metabolism, and activity level. Dogs are individuals and need a different amount of food than humans.
Make sure to measure your dog's food to keep them in good shape. You need to feed your dog twice a day instead of putting the food in front of your dog all day.
Coat Color and Grooming
Australian Cattle dogs have a
short and straight outer coat, which is weather resistant. They don't shed
year-round, but they blow his coat twice a year depending upon the season. An
Australian Cattle dog some in blue or red speckled color. But sometimes they
also have blue-mottled, which includes the black, blue, or tan markings on the
head. Sometimes the tan color partially appeared on their chest, throat, jaw,
and hind legs.
Although they don't require
much grooming due to their short coat, but sometimes it's necessary to keep
them clean and healthy. You can periodically brush your Australian Cattle dog
four times a month to remove the dirt and distribute the oil. Make sure to bathe
them when they are really dirty and smells bad. Their teeth also need two to
three times brushing in a week to remove the tartar buildup and bacteria.
