Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog also known as the Heeler, are a tough, hard working dog who can cover immense distances. A one-person dog, they are rather aloof with strangers, but to their owner they are eternally loyal, gentle, alert and can easily be trained. Puppies are born all-white with coat coloring appearing a few weeks after birth.

Other Names: Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, Hall's Heeler

Height: 17 - 20 inches
Weight: 35 - 45 lbs.

Colors: Blue, blue mottled or blue speckled with or without black, blue or tan markings on head.
Coat: Smooth, hard, straight, water-resistant top coat and short, dense undercoat.

Temperament: Australian Cattle Dogs are bold, determined
With Children: Good with their family's children, but may not deal with other children well as the Australian Cattle Dog will interpret playful wrestling and chase games as a threat or as a call to herd.
With Pets: Wary of other dogs.
Special Skills: Cattle driver and family pet.

Watch-dog: High, very suspicious of strangers.
Guard-dog: High, protective of family.

Care and Training: Australian Cattle Dogs should be brushed once a week. They needs long, vigorous walks at least twice a day. Can be headstrong and need to be taught to obey their owners commands at an early age.
Learning Rate: High

Activity: Very High
Living Environment: A home with a fenced yard is essential. The owner of an Australian Cattle Dog should be a no-nonsense leader.

Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, hereditary deafness and occasional eye problems.

Life Span: 12 - 15 Years
Litter Size: 4 - 8

Country of Origin: Australia
History: Developed in Australia around the early 1800's the Australian Cattle Dog was used to cross great distances in herding cattle. Since records were not well kept it is only with speculation that their ancestry is known. Australian Cattle Dogs may have been crossed with the blue merle Collie, Old English Sheepdog, Dalmatian and Australian Kelpie. Originally called the Blue Heeler, it wasn't until 1903 that they were known as the the Australian Cattle Dog.

First Registered by the AKC: 1980
AKC Group: Herding
Class: Herding
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 1), KC (GB), UKC

Information taken from http://www.puppydogweb.com/caninebreeds/austrcatdog.htm

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