The Australian Cattle Dog is a hardy, medium-sized, compact and strong dog. The Australian Cattle Dog gives his master and his adoptive family all his great qualities of protective and guard dog: his fidelity, his loyalty, his intelligence, his endurance. Let us add to that his great kindness and gentleness, as well as his docility. It is thus a canine which amazes its adoptive family and which is appropriate as well to the couples without and with children. Because they will find their place in the company of this exceptional dog.
History of the breed
The Australian Cattle Dog breed was created with the aim of obtaining a dog suitable for work, mainly with cattle, which it is brought to drive on vast areas in Australia. Gradually, the dog’s robustness, intelligence, endurance and bite were developed through selections, resulting in the Australian Cattle Dog we know today. It is most probably the result of crossbreeding between the Dingo, a wild dog from Australia and Southeast Asia, and various breeds of British Collies imported into Oceania. Later contributions of the Dalmatian and the black and tan Kelpie are also very possible. The current breed standard was established in October 2012.
Physical characteristics
Its coat: smooth, with a dense and short undercoat, a tight, straight, hard and flat lying topcoat. The whole assures a good impermeability to him.
Color: blue spotted (dominant blue, blue marbled or blue spotted without other markings) or red spotted (small red markings spread over the whole body, even on the undercoat).
Head : strong, in harmony with the general proportions of the body. The skull is broad, slightly convex between the ears. The stop is light, but clear.
Ears : Moderate size, broad at the base, erect, set wide apart at the base and responsive to the slightest noise.
Eyes : medium size, oval in shape and dark brown in color. They show a lively and intelligent expression.
Body : Compact and harmonious overall, with a horizontal topline, strong back, broad and muscular loins, long and sloping croup, and a deep chest of moderate width.
Tail : of length reaching the hock, well furnished with hair, set moderately low, hanging and slightly curved at rest, raised when alert.
Education
It is intelligent, lively and endowed with a remarkable understanding. The education of the Australian Cattle Dog must be firm, but without force. It is generally obedient and assimilates well its training. Moreover, it seeks instinctively the work and puts all its abnegation there. He must be socialized very early to avoid conflicts that may arise in adulthood with his peers. Do not hesitate to take him for walks in town or in public places so that he can soak up the atmosphere outside and thus make him lower his guard in the presence of intruders.
Living conditions
Because of its origins, the Australian Cattle Dog does not like to live in an apartment. This canine needs space to exercise physically. A house with a large fenced garden would make him happy. The Australian Cattle Dog is best suited to active owners who can provide sufficient exercise. They are tireless and will gladly follow their owners on jogs or bike rides.
Health
The Australian Cattle Dog is a dog with a robust constitution that does not fear much from the weather conditions. It is however advisable to detect two hereditary pathologies which can concern this breed: congenital deafness and progressive atrophy of the retina. In some cases, it is also fragile at the hip level where a dysplasia can appear.