Australian Cattle Dog

Size: Medium
Other Names: Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, Red Heeler
Country of Origin: Australia
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Herding
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Herding
United Kennel Club (UKC): Herding Dog
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Working Dogs
The Kennel Club (KC): Pastoral
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Herding
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Working Dogs

Height:

Male: 18–20 inches; Female: 17–19 inches

Weight:

35–50 pounds

Color(s):

Blue, black, red, ginger

Coat:

Outer coarse dense coat, with woolly undercoat

Description:

The Australian Cattle Dog is a breed of herding dog developed in Australia for controlling cattle.  He has a lot of energy, intelligence and an independent streak.

Temperament:

The Australian Cattle Dog is naturally cautious, and grow more so as he ages.  His cautious nature towards strangers makes him a perfect guard dog, when trained for this task.  The Australian Cattle Dog is gregarious to other dogs with whom it is familiar.  Due to his plucky nature, a few scuffles and bites may occur during the establishing of a pecking order.  He will usually resort to aggressiveness towards other, unknown dogs, when put in a situation where he feels threatened and/or uncomfortable.

Training:

Some Australian Cattle Dogs find repetitive training frustrating and dull, so owners should aim to make training sessions varied and more exciting in order to keep their dog interested.  As with many breeds, frequent brief training sessions are more effective than infrequent long training sessions.  When there is more than one dog in the house, it is important for an owner to quickly establish a hierarchy in which they are the Australian Cattle Dog's pack leader; otherwise, the young dog may bond to a senior dog, rather than to its owner.  Cattle Dogs drive cattle by nipping at their heels or tails, and they have also been known to herd other animals.  To relieve the urge to nip, the Australian Cattle Dog can be encouraged to pick up and chew a toy or stick that is thrown for them.  If it is to last, a toy left with the Australian Cattle Dog needs to be extremely robust.

Care & Grooming:

Like many herding dogs, Cattle Dogs have high energy levels and active minds.  They need plenty of exercise and a job to do; so non–working dogs need to participate in dog sports, learning tricks, or other activities that engage their body and mind.  Cattle Dogs who do not receive the appropriate exercise and entertainment will invent their own, often destructive, activities.  Australian Cattle Dogs are expert Frisbee catchers, and with just a little work, they can master this activity and enjoy it for a lifetime.

Shedding:

Moderate; heavier during seasonal undercoat blows.

Health:

Australian Cattle Dogs may be prone to hip dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, congenital deafness, and elbow dysplasia.  BAER hearing tests and eye exams are commonly used in breeding programs.

Lifespan:

12–16 years

Litter Size:

4–8 puppies