Learn About the Loyal Australian Cattle Dog—AKA the Blue Heeler

Australian Cattle Dog: Originally Bred For Herding Cattle, This Breed Is Highly Trainable - Yahoo

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Australian Cattle Dog overview

Australian Cattle Dog

Life expectancy: 13 to 15 years

Size: 17-20-inches (male); 17 to 19 inches (female)

Coat: Short, dense, double-coat

Temperament: Loyal, energetic, cautious, protective, intelligent, courageous

Exercise needs: At least two hours daily

Origin/native country: Australia

Australian Cattle Dogs were bred for work during the 1800s and they needed to be strong and agile. It's why they have such well-conditioned muscles and a quick pace – great attributes when seeking to round-up animals.

Nicknamed the "Blue Heeler" or "Red Heeler" on account of their colouring and method of nipping at the heels of cattle, they've since become popular pets. But because they are independent and active, they can pose a great challenge, particular for first time dog owners.

That said, they can also be richly rewarded when handled well and allowed into the right environment. They are also great at canine sports which makes them a heap of fun. Considering bringing one home? Let's find out more about this breed.

How much exercise does an Australian Cattle Dog need?

As a herding dog breed, Australian Cattle Dogs have very high energy levels and they need as much exercise as you can give them.

"Australian Cattle Dogs were bred for work, so they have high endurance levels. Your dog will therefore need at least one to two hours of exercise per day," says vet Dr Rebecca MacMillan.

Australian Cattle Dogs also need to be focussed on tasks as much as possible because they're a highly alert and intelligent dog breed that can soon become bored.

"The Australian Cattle Dog is a working breed so needs plenty of mental stimulation to keep them happy," Dr MacMilan adds.

Ideally, you would have a large, secure yard that enables them to run around freely and safely as this is a farm dog breed. You'll also need a lot of toys inside an ideally spacious home – puzzle and tug toys are ideal. It's also worth taking toys with your on your walks and runs. Anything they can fetch, chew on and catch (a frisbee works well) will help keep the body and mind ticking over.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs aggressive dogs?

Australian Cattle Dogs were bred to be protective so they can be suspicious of strangers. They are also known to nip and bite – when herding animals, they target the flanks to get them to move in a particular direction and they sometimes extend this behaviour to humans. Since they have a bite force of 230 to 250 PSI, this could hurt. But, in general, Australian Cattle Dogs are unlikely to show signs of aggression and you can train the nips, bites and herding instincts out of them. With good socialization, they get along fine with other dogs and animals too.

Are Australian Cattle Dogs easy to train?

The good news is that Australian Cattle Dogs are easy to train and that's because they are highly intelligent. In fact, canine psychology expert Stanley Coren, ranks Australian Cattle Dogs among the top 10 clever canines in his book "The Intelligence of Dogs" which means they will understand new commands with fewer than five repetitions and obey the first command at least 95 percent of the time.

Just make good use of positive reinforcement and try to vary what you're trying to teach so the dog doesn't become bored and stubborn at having to repeat the same thing over and over again. It's also important to socialize this breed early to reduce and eliminate the desire to nip, bite and herd.

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Do Australian Cattle Dogs growl and bark a lot?

Australian Cattle Dogs don't growl any more than other breeds but some owners do report excessive barking.

"Australian Cattle Dogs were bred for herding livestock where barking is essential for keeping stray cows in check and communicating with their human," says Dr MacMillan. So what can you do?

By ensuring the dog's needs are being met, this breed is likely to bark less.

"This means plenty of physical exercise as well as mentally stimulating games and training exercises," Dr MacMillan says. "A happy, tired dog is less likely to bark excessively."

Appropriate training and socialization from a young age can also help prevent excessive vocalization.

"Owners should also work on positive reinforcement training, praising their dogs at times when they are quiet and calm. This rewards desirable behavior, encouraging your dog to repeat it again in the future," Dr MacMillan adds.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs make good family pets?

Behavior shouldn't be a problem.

"They are usually a friendly and intelligent breed with the right early socialization," says Dr MacMillan. But the high energy levels and herding instincts of this breed can be an issue for some families, particularly in terms of the time you'll need to spend on exercise and training.

"A busy family with younger children may struggle to meet their needs," says Dr MacMillan. As such, they're perhaps a better fit for families with older children who can even help you exercise the dog. This breed is also most suited to a large home and since it's prone to separation anxiety, you'd ideally have someone around for most of the day.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs need lots of food?

Given how energetic Australian Cattle Dogs are, you'd imagine they'd be big eaters but unless they're actually acting as a working dog, you don't need to go overboard. Just ensure they have a high-quality diet packed with animal-based proteins and a good mix of vegetables, carbohydrates and vitamins and minerals.

"The amount of food your Australian Cattle Dog needs will vary depending on the type of diet you have picked, as well as the brand. Just make sure that you are feeding them a good-quality complete diet that is appropriate for their size and life stage," Dr MacMillan says.

Do Australian Cattle Dogs need a lot of grooming?

Australian Cattle Dogs are a relatively low maintenance breed as they only require minimal grooming although, that said, they do shed quite a lot so prepare for some stray hairs in your home!

"They have a thick double coat that gives them protection against the elements. You can try to reduce levels of loose fluff by grooming your dog regularly to remove dead fur," says Dr MacMillan.

The good news, she adds, is that despite their coat being short and dense, it is generally easy to brush.

"Daily brushing will help keep on top of loose fur, but you may be fine with just weekly grooming," she says.

Australian Cattle Dogs' common health problems

Australian Cattle Dogs, like many pedigree breeds, are predisposed to an eye condition known as progressive retinal atrophy.

"This is an inherited problem with no known treatment or cure. Affected dogs will start losing their vision in dim lighting, known as night blindness, which can progress to complete vision loss," says Dr MacMillan.

This breed is also prone to deafness.

"Again, there is no cure for this and affected dogs will need owners to adapt their training techniques to account for their lack of hearing," Dr MacMillan adds.

Hip dysplasia is common in Australian Cattle Dogs, too.

"It is an inherited condition that causes the hip socket not to form correctly. This can lead to painful lameness and early-onset arthritis in the affected joint," Dr MacMillan explains. "Purchasing from a reputable breeder that has health screened their dogs is important as it reduces the risk of the puppy inheriting problems."

Should I get an Australian Cattle Dog?

Australian Cattle Dogs are an amazing breed and if you're after an intelligent, devoted canine to fit in with an active lifestyle and accompany you on hikes or runs, then they should definitely be on your list. They're not as suitable for busy, young families – consider a breed more suited to families instead – and you will need plenty of space but these friendly, protective pets can be an utter joy to be around.

The Complete Guide To Australian Cattle DogsAmazon

Using interviews with six top breeders, Tarah Schwartz has created an in-depth look at what it really takes to successfully live with, raise, and train an Australian Cattle Dog.View Deal

Edited by Georgia Guerin.

Australian Cattle Dogs: What To Know - WebMD

Australian Cattle Dogs are a protective, loyal and sweet breed.

The Australian cattle dog, as the name suggests, came from Australia in the 19th century. It was bred to be a working dog for cattle herders. It's resilient and has a lot of strength and stamina. That helps it to walk for long distances in rugged terrain while herding cattle.

Australian cattle dogs are known to be good at protecting their territory and humans. In Australia, they were used to keep the herders, their horses, and property safe. The Australian cattle dog was bred to be a quick decision-maker. This dog breed is a general-purpose dog.

An Australian cattle dog can either be blue, blue speckled, blue mottled, red mottled, or red speckled. It can also have tan, red, or black and tan markings. It's a compact, sturdy, well-built dog that's thought to be related to the Dingo, a wild Australian dog breed.

Female Australian cattle dogs can grow up to about 17 to 19 inches tall while males can get to about 18 to 20 inches tall — measured using the shoulder. They can weigh between 35 to 50 pounds when fully grown. When they are born, they come out with a white coat. As they get older it becomes red or blue-grey in color. This dog breed is strong, agile, and has a lot of drive to work.

The Australian cattle dog is very protective of humans and their property, making them very good watchdogs. They only bark when they believe something is wrong. However, they may show aggression toward other dogs or strangers.

Australian cattle dog temperament. Australian cattle dogs are friendly, loyal, and sweet dogs that are devoted to their owners. They love being around humans and are very playful. Sometimes they may have the tendency to chase things around, but this can be easily trained out of them. They are also good with children but can sometimes try herding younger kids. Because of this, you should keep them if you have older children.

Grooming. The Australian cattle dog is meant to be out in the fields herding cattle. Its smooth coat has two layers that act as protection from the elements while outdoors. This breed sheds its undercoat two times every year. To keep it neat, try brushing it at least once a week and give it a bath from time to time. 

Australian cattle dogs will usually shed huge tufts of hair during the shedding season. To manage the situation, give your dog a thorough brushing with a short-bristle brush or comb. Do that every few days to get rid of all the excess fur. 

Every dog requires nail trimming. Australian cattle dogs are no exception. Try trimming your dog's nails regularly.

Training. As seen earlier, the Australian cattle dog is very intelligent and full of energy. This means that they are easy to train, especially when done early. You should socialize your Australian cattle dog from when they are puppies. That way, they can develop skills and obedience from a young age. Australian cattle dogs are most happy when outdoors herding and being active. Because of that, training that involves herding and agility is the best for this breed.

Outdoor training activities can be quite time-consuming and may require a lot of your time. The upside of this is that you get time to develop a strong bond and have fun with your dog. Like many other intelligent dog breeds, Australian cattle dogs can become bored or get separation anxiety when left alone. They are always active and will start looking for trouble when they get bored.

Exercise. Because Australian cattle dogs are always energetic, they require a lot of physical exercise to stay healthy. Exercise for this breed should be more than just a walk or playtime in the park. Australian cattle dogs need a real workout to make them happy. They require more than two hours of physical exercise every day.

If you live on a farm with animals, this may not be as hard a task since they can go herding whenever they want. But if you live in a city setting, or you just don't have a farm, consider taking your Australian cattle dog with you on runs. Doing so every day, or on most days of the week, may be enough for your dog to release some of its energy.

Another good idea is participating in dog sports. This can be a very effective way of managing your Australian cattle dog's high energy. You and your dog can get involved in canine activities like agility and obedience. These activities help keep your dog's excess energy in check.

Australian cattle dog lifespan. The Australian cattle dog is generally healthy and hardy. Most healthy dogs of this breed will live up to 15 years or longer.

You should feed your Australian cattle dog high-quality dog food (any food that is AAFCO-approved). Also, make sure that the food and the amount you feed your dog is age and size-appropriate. Only give puppies puppy food, and adults, adult dog food.

If you are feeding your dog homemade food, make sure that it is approved by a veterinary nutritionist.

Since Australian cattle dogs are always active and very athletic, make sure that they get adequate nutrition according to their needs. Always provide fresh, clean water for them to drink whenever they get thirsty. Never feed your dog human food before finding out if it's safe for them to eat or not. If you think your Australian cattle dog has some weight issues, talk to your vet about it for diet advice.

Australian cattle dogs are prone to hereditary conditions like progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) and primary lens luxation (PLL). You can detect or predict these conditions by doing DNA testing when breeding. That way you can avoid them.

Other conditions that also affect Australian cattle dogs include: 

Dog dermatitis. A condition that causes skin inflammation and itchiness.

Deafness. Loss of hearing ability.

Urolithiasis. A condition that causes stones to form in the dog's urine.

Hip dysplasia. Hip joint over flexibility due to issues with development, eventually becoming arthritis.

Elbow dysplasia. Elbow joint over flexibility due to issues with development, eventually becoming arthritis.

Luxating patellas. A condition that causes the kneecaps to move out of place for some time. 

Portosystemic shunt. A blood circulation issue where blood bypasses the liver.

For deafness, consider getting a BAER (Brainstem Auditory Evoked Response) performed in an BAER testing center. Taking your dog for screening tests like hip evaluation, elbow evaluation, and ophthalmologist evaluation may also help detect conditions like dysplasia when breeding. Make sure to take your Australian cattle dog for ear check ups regularly to get rid of foreign material and wax buildup.

To give proper care to your Australian cattle dog, consider fitting your dog's routine care activities into your schedule. That way you can give your pet a long, healthy, and happy life. Routine care is vital, especially when it comes to diet and physical exercise. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your Australian cattle dog is healthy and happy in your home:

Make sure they have recommended vaccinations, along with heartworm and flea and tick control medication.

Try brushing their teeth daily (and get professional cleanings done by your vet).

Always give them high-quality food according to their age.

Regularly clean their ears from when they are puppies.

Keep them active physically and mentally to avoid trouble-making.

Make sure their diet is consistent and try not to feed them people food.

Do proper supervision of your dog to avoid trouble and harmful objects. You should always pick up after yourself.

Do light brushing of the coat from time to time and avoid over washing them to preserve their natural oils.

Sometimes your Australian cattle dog may be showing signs of illness and may need emergency medical attention. It may not be clear, at first, whether the condition is serious or not. Because of this, it's crucial to know when to seek professional help, and how urgently your dog needs it.

Call your vet if you notice things like your dog losing hair, coat becoming dull, getting seizures after feeding, gaining or losing weight, vomiting, diarrhea, coughing, or sneezing. Always keep an eye on your dog for signs of illness and call your vet whenever something doesn't seem right.

If you are considering getting an Australian cattle dog, consider the following advantages of the breed:

They have strong stamina.

They make good companions and love their human families.

They are not so huge, but sturdy.

They are fearless, confident, and steady.

Their coat is short and easy to maintain.

They make good working dogs.

Here are some of the cons of owning an Australian cattle dog:

They can be very aggressive to other dogs.

They can be so determined and have an independent mind.

Their herding instinct can make them chase cars or other smaller animals.

Their tendency to herd can lead them to try and herd smaller children.

They can be very territorial and overprotective of their family and have to be trained out of it.

Cattle Dogs Make Permanent Improvements In Cattle - The Grand Island Independent

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