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Australian Cattle Dog

Background

The Australian Cattle Dog breed began evolving in the early 1830s through the need for a dog that could work cattle in Australia's harsh environment. The breed today is the result of many years of selective breeding. Five breeds of dog have gone into "the making" of the Australian Cattle Dog.

First there was the crossing of the dingo with an English breed of dog, the Smithfield, and the progeny from these were crossed with the smooth-coated blue merle Collie (commonly referred to today as the German Coolie). These were then mated to the Dalmatian to put the love of horses and the protection of their master's property into the breed.

Breed Personality, Characteristics & Temperment

Australian Cattle Dogs are loyal, courageous and devoted and possess a natural aptitude in the working and control of cattle. They are suspicious of strangers and will protect the family and possessions with their life. They are not naturally aggressive, but if provoked they will not back down without a fight.

Compatibility With Other Pets

The Australian Cattle Dog will get along with other animals in a household as long as they are introduced slowly and without tension. The best way to do this is by allowing the animals to see and smell each other through a wire fence for a few weeks until they realise they pose no threat to each other.

Care Requirements

Even though the Australian Cattle Dog is a working dog, it does well in a suburban household as long as its exercise requirements (this includes mental stimulation) are met. Obedience training of Australian Cattle Dogs is a must, as their brain needs stimulation of the right sort so that they don't think things up for themselves – such as digging, pulling washing from the clothes-line, pruning trees, landscaping, and jumping fences.

Conclusion

If you have decided that the Australian Cattle Dog is the dog for you and you are prepared to properly train this loyal dog to get the most out of it, then contact one of the groups listed below:

Breeders

State	Contact	Breeder
QLD	Glenys Armstrong	Dewregal	Contact
NSW	Anne Hickey	Yaringah	Contact
WA	Julie Broad	Jakobi	Contact
SA	Bob and Connie Redhead	LANDMASTER	Contact
NSW	Margaret Price	Mystar	Contact
QLD	Craig and Nicola Kuhler	Bluereserve/Stockaway	Contact
QLD	J Mann	Caroblee	Contact
QLD	Carol Speed	Kimscott	Contact
VIC	Annette Johns	Rhodeholm	Contact
QLD	Roseanne Warren	minyaka	Contact
NSW	PAULINE WEST	Hytop	Contact
NSW	Alistair and Brenda McCoy	brallo	Contact
NSW	Joanne Williams	Caplin Cove	Contact
QLD	Kylie & Jason Kuhn	Koolanahill	Contact
WA	Kerry Taylor	Tambourah	Contact
NSW	Annette Goodman	Goodvale	Contact
QLD	Tim and Tennille Hughes	Timmentee	Contact
VIC	Jenni Hogan	Kangablue	Contact
NSW	Sandra Lamb	Burdury	Contact
WA	Kerry Taylor	Tambourah	Contact
QLD	Andrew Ziebell	Jayblue	Contact
QLD	CINDIE SCHULZ	REDLINEBLUE	Contact
QLD	J and C Payne	Allbush	Contact

Height:

Weight:

Lifespan: This Aussie battler will often live up to 15 years of age but with the right care and diet can live to 20 years of age.

Ideal Owners: The ideal owner for the Australian Cattle Dog should be someone who likes to have an active dog. While the Australian Cattle Dog absolutely adores children, similar to all breeds of dog it should never be left alone with them unsupervised. Elderly people might find that the Australian Cattle Dog is a bit of a handful.