| Country of origin: | Australia |
| Registries: | AKC, UKC, CKC |
| Occupation: | Cattle dog |
| Size: | 17 to 20 in tall; 35 to 50 lbs |
| Longevity: | 12 to 14 years |
| Exercise: | Vigorous daily exercise |
| Training: | Hard to keep challenged |
| Grooming: | Easy |
Australia’s climate places strong demands on a working dog, and many of the dogs taken from Britain in the 19th century simply could not endure the heat. Pioneer Thomas Smith Hall from Queensland set out to create a new breed, also called the Australian Heeler, Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, or simply Hall’s Heeler. The Blue Merle Smooth Highland Collie, Dalmatian, and possibly Bull Terrier were the British breeds used, and the indigenous Dingo was added to these. The result is an alert dog with tremendous stamina for driving stock long distances in harsh, hot conditions. Kelpies and Border Collies have now taken over these responsibilities. Most Australian Cattle Dogs are exclusively companions, and good breeders select for temperament, breeding out the natural tendency to bite. These dogs have a huge reserve of energy demanding copious exercise, and a natural wariness of strangers, including children.
The origion of the Australian Cattle Dog is very multifarious. Multiple sources are saying that this special working dog comes from the Australian Dingo, the Drover-dog, Bullterrier and/or Kelpie breed. Newest sources know that that there is no Dalmatian breed in the Cattle dog. The white colour which you find on puppies and the associated hearing are related to the white Bullterrier and the Drover-dog.
Since 1903 is the Australian Cattle Dog a recognized breed. It is a very robust, untiring and intelligent working dog. They are totally focussed to it´s master and family and loves them to the fullest. To foreign people is the Australian Cattle Dog mostly reserved.
Therefore is this breed a fantastic guard dog.
This race was breed to work hard therefore do they need a lot of room to run about. These dogs are very intelligent and need a lot of preoccupations. Without preoccupations do they develope unpleasant habbits. Cattle dogs are fast learning and they like to learn a lot.
Till today is the Australian Cattle dog not yet widely common and that is good as it is as this breed needs to be in experienced hands. The breed needs a consequent upbringing which is not always easy. Cattle dogs have a big self-confidence and males have a big domincance-seeking habbit.