Is an Australian Cattle Dog Right for You?
The Australian Cattle Dog can be good with children and other pets if properly trained and socialized from a young age. However, they are a herding breed with a strong instinct to nip and herd, so supervision and caution should be exercised when introducing them to children and other animals.
In the early 1800’s
the British were settling Australia. Cattle farming was growing, and for it to succeed, a herding dog was needed that could not only herd cattle over long distances but also protect them from Dingos. At that time, the most reliable herding dogs were different breeds imported from the UK. However, they lacked both protective capabilities and stamina to deal with the harsh conditions faced in the Australian environment.
In the 1830’s
the Smithfield Collie was bred with wild Australian Dingos and produced a dog that became known as “Timmins Biters”, after the rancher who first bred them. This breed was short lived as they would often bite and kill young calves when out of the owners site.
In the 1840’s
a man named Thomas Hall from New South Wales imported several Blue Smooth Highland Collies and (it is said) crossed them with Dingos. He worked on developing these dogs until the 1870’s and they became known as Hall’s Heelers. Eventually this breed became known as the Australian Cattle Dog or sometimes called Blue Heelers for their tendency to nip at the heels and their blue-tinged coats.
In 2019, researchers at the
University of Sydney did genetic research on both the Dingo and Australian Cattle dog. Despite the “myth” that they are related by DNA, this study (a peer reviewed paper published in the journal Genes) found no genetic evidence that the ACD and Dingo are related by common ancestor!
Australian Cattle Dogs are born white
which led to the myth that they share a genetic connection with the Dalmatian. In a landmark study of dog genetics, it was found that the ACD shares the most common DNA with ancestors of the following three dogs breeds: Australian Kelpie, Border Collie and Bearded Collie.
Australian Cattle Dogs are
is short and muscular, up to about 20 inches high and weighing between 35-50 pounds. There are only two breed accepted colors: blue mottled and red speckle. While there may be other colors such as cream or dark brown, they are not accepted as breed standard. Puppies from the red and blue dogs are born white and develop their color as they grow.
Australian Cattle Dogs are
a very healthy, robust breed with a long lifespan of 12-15 years-but many live longer. In fact, an ACD named Bluey held the worlds record as the oldest living dog. Bluey lived to be almost 30 years old!
The “Bentley Star” is a group
white hairs on the forehead of an Australian Cattle Dog. It can amount to just a few hairs or a cluster of hairs. This white blaze is said to signify the dog is an ancestor of a legendary ACD owned by Tom Bentley. His dog was used widely as a stud dog to pass down his excellent characteristics and advance the breed.
Funny Blue Heeler Merme-ACD Humor!
In Studies of Canine Intelligence
the ACD ranks 10th out of 130 breeds according to Stanley Coren in his much respected book “The Intelligence of Dogs”. Essentially this means and ACD will learn new commands in fewer than 5 repetitions.
Australian Cattle Dog Temperament
The C-BARQ is a HUGE research study of canine temperament being conducted at the University of Pennsylvania. It comprises over 350 dog breeds and 60,000 individual dogs. In this study, the ACD ranks 16th out of 124 breeds in showing aggression towards strange or unfamiliar people. Aggression is defined as barking, growling, and baring of teeth and in the most extreme cases-snapping or biting.
The C-BARQ also reveals
the Australian Cattle Dog ranks VERY high in attention seeking behavior. This means they almost NEED to be your side and have your attention. They can get quite jealous if they see you giving attention an another dog or person. They rank 4th out of 124 breeds in this category.
The C-BARQ also ranks the
Australian Cattle Dog 7th out of 124 breeds in trainability. They are generally easily trained and learn and follow commands quickly. These are quick, energetic learners who need a job and have the physical and mental capacity to handle almost anything!
How Fast can an Australian Cattle Dog Run?
In AKC Fast Cat Racing Trials (100 yard dog races) the Australian Cattle Dog ran an average speed of 24 mph while the top speed recorded was by a dog named Rose Of Earl at 30.82 mph!
The ACD is generally a healthy breed.
As all dog breeds, hover, they do suffer from a few genetic health conditions. The following list was published on the The Australian Cattle Dog Club of America website. It represents the results of a 2007 survey completed by over 400 ACD breeders:
Orthopedic Issues: 338 (83%)
Hip Dysplasia: 299 (89.3%)
Elbow Dysplasia: 202 (60.3%)
Deafness: 315 (77.4%)
Bilateral Deafness: 282 (90.4%)
Unilateral Deafness: 255 (81.7%)
PRA: 305 (74.9%)
Cancer: 190 (46.7%)
Eye Disorders (other than-PRA): 128 (31.4%)
Check Your Australian Cattle Dog Facts and Take a Fun ACD Quiz!
Quick Facts About the Australian Cattle Dog Breed Infographic
Facts About Australian Cattle Dogs-Final Thoughts
Australian Cattle Dogs are intelligent dogs with high energy levels that require proper obedience training and mental stimulation. Their boundless energy makes them perfect companions for active families who can provide the necessary exercise and playtime. Early socialization is crucial to ensure that they become well-adjusted family members. Both the red heeler and blue heeler variations of the breed boast unique coats that add to their distinct appearance. Their thick double coats are prone to shedding and regular grooming and brushing is essential. With lots of training, Australian Cattle Dogs can thrive in any environment that meets their high activity level and need to “work”.
