
	PETS AND ANIMALS

Australian Cattle Dog Breed

The Australian Cattle Dog is a relatively new breed and it is a manufactured breed. The terrible heat, dusty and arid conditions found in many parts of Australia require far more stamina in both man and dog than the wind, rain, snow in UK. One species of dog that had lived and hunted with the aborigine people was Dingo. Thomas S. Hall crossed the Dingo with two Blue Merle Highland Collies of proved working ability.

The Australian Cattle Dog is primarily a working dog. Its loyalty and protective instincts make it a self-appointed guardian of the herd and the property. while being naturally suspicious of strangers, the breed is amenable to handling in the show ring.

This breed's heritage equips it to work in blistering sun or freezing winds. It innately knows what to do and how to do it. Do not expect the Australian cattle dog to harness physical and psychic energy and keep it in reserve until its owner is ready for a restrained walk around the block. There is no such thing as a cattle dog that has nothing to do. If a cattle dog's owner does not provide the dog with assigned duties, the dog will create its own activity schedule and, rest assured, more often than not the activities involved will seldom please the owner.

Photo courtesy of der Hundund (hundund.de)
On the other hand, if the prospective owner of an Australian cattle dog is an active person who also derives as much pleasure from training a dog as this breed derives from being trained, this person will undoubtedly join the ranks of the thousands of cattle dog owners who consider the breed one of the most trainable and intelligent in existence.

If an activity calls for speed, endurance, athletic ability and intelligence, the Australian cattle dog is a great candidate. There is such a wide array of events this breed is capable of competing in that it is highly unlikely that even an owner with energy and athletic ability will exhaust this breed's potential.

The Australian cattle dog's scenting ability makes it a perfect candidate for drug and explosives detection as well as search-and-rescue work. They are also proving that they can be wonderful therapy dogs.

The wonderful thing about all this is that the more involved and the more proficient your dog in any or all of the above, the better it will become at being your best buddy and companion.

The Australian cattle dog, which sheds heavily in the spring, requires daily brushing during shedding season. This dog needs a lot of exercise; such as daily vigorous romps and/or fast-paced walks.

Australian Cattle Dog & Children

If you have small children and you decide to bring an adult Australian Cattle Dog, consider the factor that the dog may have never been exposed to or interact with small children. The first sight of these "miniature people" can be very perplexing to the inexperienced dog, especially loud and very active children. When children run and play, the herding and heeling instinct in the dog may be aroused; perhaps leading to nipping at the children's feet and ankles. It may take considerable time and patience to overcome this inborn instinct. In yards when groups of children play, the Australian Cattle dog will push them into a tight circle. There are many stories about these dogs saving toddlers from running into traffic, or from straying away from the family property by gently herding them back home.

This is an intelligent breed that will constantly try to increase their status in your family "pack." Care must be taken to be sure that the children maintain their status above the family dog. Some dogs will perceive roughhousing as a threat.

The Australian Cattle Dog is a strong, healthy breed that herds cattle by nipping at their heels but without the nonstop barking common to many other herders. Wary by nature, the Australian Cattle Dog needs early obedience training and social contact with both people and other animals. The Australian Cattle Dog is extremely intelligent, alert, watchful, trustworthy and loyal. It has a strong devotion to duty and to the protection of man and property.

The early cattle ranchers of Australia required a tough dog with great stamina and able to bite that would be capable of controlling large herds of cattle that grazed on unfenced properties and rugged bushland. Australian Cattle Dog They managed to create an ideal working dog - tenacious, agile and hardy.

The Australian Cattle dog is truly a versatile dog. Not only are they great working dogs, but they are also fine family companions - loyal, intelligent, obedient and very protective of the family and property. One should bear in mind that this breed tends to be dominant and will often try to establish its leadership in the pack. Puppies and young dogs must be trained in a firm and consistent manner. As these dog work silently, they are quiet indoors and will only bark when provoked.

The breed is known to be hardy, still you will be well advised to make sure that the breeder made every effort to produce puppies from the stock that has clearances for the following inherited diseases: patellar luxation, hip dysplasia and deafness.

Photo courtesy of Australian Cattle Dog