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The Australian Cattle Dog is a mix of collie and dingos from Australia. They were brought over to the USA by pioneers in the 19th century but were not bred until after then as they had tried to use the smooth collie and another breed called the Smithfield, but both were unable to deal with the climate and land distance of the new area. So that’s when the pioneers started the cross breeding of the collie and dingo! Apparently the Australian Kelpie and dalmation were thought to have been added to that cocktail. They also go by the names of: Blue Heeler, Australian Heeler, Halls Heeler, or Red Heeler.
The Australian Cattle Dog is one of the top smartest dog breeds in the world! Since it is of the highest of intelligence for the canine world, it needs to have physical and mental stimulation. They need a lot of exercise on a daily basis and must be able to run to their hearts content. Walks alone will not cut it for this breed as they were bred to have constant use of open acreage to herd livestock. If left alone in a secluded area this breed will get bored and if nothing else stimulates their minds then your furniture or household belongings will have to do. These dogs tend to become attached to their family or just a specific person, they are not to social with any other people.
Weighing in at 30-35 lbs (14-16 kgs) and averaging around 17-20 inches high, the Australian Cattle Dog is an fit, and muscular dog. Their coat is either a red or blue colour with a variety of patterns. They have a dual layered coat, for the harsh weather conditions that they need to work in. Standards of this dog prefer them to have no black speckling on the body. The mask of the dog should be over one or both the eyes in either red or blue, depending on the colour of the dog. This mask is what makes the Australian Cattle Dog the breed it is. Oddly enough with all this colour pigmentation on the dog, their puppies are born pure white. As they mature they develop their colour and patterns. The eyes should be round and a vibrant brown, and the ears should be medium size and be pricked up. The tail is long and is curved up a bit with a white tip.
This breed is a relatively healthy breed, only being prone to a few diseases. One of which is hip dysplasia, and also another being Progressive Retinal Atrophy. The last is deafness. But overall a very sturdy breed of dog.
The Australian Cattle Dog is a working dog through and through so these dogs need plenty of exercise daily and they need an owner willing to have the time to give that. They need very firm training and attention as they thrive on obeying and pleasing their owner. They would excel greatly in obedience and agility trials. These dogs can be very dominant as they are used to being the master of their livestock.
For this breed, simply brushing them when necessary is sufficient for this dogs coat. They shed twice a year and only need to be bathed when the owner feels the dog needs it.!
This breed is categorized in the Herding Group. They are great dogs for people that enjoy outdoorsy sports or events. The Australian Cattle Dog’s average lifespan is 12-15 years. They have about 1-7 pups per litter. When obtaining a baby Australian Cattle Dog, keep in mind that every puppy is different and to research your breed before bringing the baby home!
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