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Australian Cattle Dog

Ranked #13,522 in Pets & Animals, #364,945 overall

Origin

The Australian Cattle Dog is the result of a deliberate breeding experiment, the goal of which was to create a dog that was as hardy as the native wild dingo, smart enough to work the cattle and with the temperament of a good companion. In the 1830s, Australians began breeding collies and dingoes, which resulted in dingo-blue merle collie, Timmon's Biters (also known as Hall's Heelers. Over the next 60 years, breeders introduced dalmatians and bull terriers to the line, later breeding out certain unwanted traits. By 1893, the Australian Cattle Dog (AuCaDo) was bred true, with the conformation and traits seen today.

Table of Contents

  1. Purpose
  2. Great Resources
  3. Physical Description
  4. Temperament
  5. eBay Merchandise
  6. Exercise Requirements
  7. Grooming Requirements
  8. More Great Resources
  9. Common Health Problems
  10. Is This The Breed For You?
  11. Vote Now!
  12. New Guestbook

Purpose

AuCaDos were bred to assist farmers with tending their herds, warning off predators and controlling the movement of cattle in close and wide-open areas. Heavily muscled with great strength, speed and endurance, AuCaDos are extremely agile and able to make fast, sudden moves, making them the ideal dog for protecting and guiding cattle. Australian Cattle Dogs also make wonderful companions.

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Physical Description

Australian Cattle Dogs stand between 17" to 20" high at the withers and weigh from 35 to 44 pounds. Their muscular bodies are compact and symmetrical, resembling small powerhouses of energy. AuCaDos have double coats: a smooth, short, dense undercoat and a hard, straight outer coat, which is often weather-resistant. Cattle dogs come in two colors and patterns, blue and red speckle, and have black, tan, blue or red markings on their heads and backs.

Temperament

As with all working dogs, Australian Cattle Dogs are brave, alert, loyal and diligent. When they understand their jobs, they pursue them tirelessly, determined to complete the task no matter how long it takes or how difficult it proves to be. A quiet breed, they seldom bark and generally have very good manners. Although they do get along well with other dogs, they are usually happiest in single-dog homes.

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Exercise Requirements

A high-energy dog that quickly grows bored without something to do, Australian Cattle Dogs require a great deal of exercise to stay in good mental and physical health. AuCaDos are exceptionally good with competition, especially field work and agility, and excel with obedience-based training.

Grooming Requirements

Because they were bred to withstand harsh weather, Australian Cattle Dogs have low-maintenance coats that rarely need grooming. Moderate shedders, AuCaDos only need an occasional bath, brush and nail trim.

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Common Health Problems

One of the healthiest purebred dog breeds, AuCaDos have few genetic conditions and are naturally resistance to disease. By nature, they are healthy, hardy dogs, with strong constitutions. They can develop problems with progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) when they are between six and eight years old, and they are also slightly susceptible to urinary tract problems, including kidney stones. Australian Cattle Dogs can live to be 14 years old, often older.

Is This The Breed For You?

If you enjoy outdoor activities and lots of exercise, an Australian Cattle Dog might be the perfect companion for you. In addition to hiking, walking and running, AuCaDos excel at any kind of obedience tasks, including agility, which can be a fun sport for you and your dog.
Given their loyal temperaments, AuCaDos can be wonderful family dogs, provided they are socialized properly from an early age. Because they are herding dogs, they will sometimes nip at the calves of the "herd," which can unfortunately include people. If you have children under the age of five years old, you may want to select a different breed.

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