Australian Cattle Dog
Pic - Australian Cattle Dog. If looking for one of these brilliant dogs, do contact a Breed Rescue first. They have a wealth of knowledge on the breed and can pair the right dog with the right home. link below and if not near you, please do a search for one that is. https://www.acdra.org/
General
Back in the 19th centuary a NSW cattle farmer called Thomas Hall, from Northumberland, crossed the dogs used by drovers, with dingos he had tamed. The resuling offspring were knows as Halls Heelers. After Hall passed in 1870 the became more wildely available. They were subsequently developed into two modern breeds, being the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumbp Tail Cattle Dog.
Depending on their colour, they have been knicknamed Red or Blue Heelers - due to the colouring and how they will nip the cattle to get them to go where they want them. The Blue Heelers are also often know as the Queensland Heelers.
As with many of the working dogs, the Aussie has very high energy levels and is extremely clever. According to Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs the breed ranks as one of the most intelligent breeds and gained 10th place in his research.
Back in the 19th centuary a NSW cattle farmer called Thomas Hall, from Northumberland, crossed the dogs used by drovers, with dingos he had tamed. The resuling offspring were knows as Halls Heelers. After Hall passed in 1870 the became more wildely available. They were subsequently developed into two modern breeds, being the Australian Cattle Dog and the Australian Stumbp Tail Cattle Dog.
Depending on their colour, they have been knicknamed Red or Blue Heelers - due to the colouring and how they will nip the cattle to get them to go where they want them. The Blue Heelers are also often know as the Queensland Heelers.
As with many of the working dogs, the Aussie has very high energy levels and is extremely clever. According to Stanley Coren's The Intelligence of Dogs the breed ranks as one of the most intelligent breeds and gained 10th place in his research.
Is this the right dog for you?
If you are a couch potato or looking for a companion to snuggle up to on the couch, then this breed not for you. They require daily exercise and not just physical - due to its intelligence this breed loves solving problems and puzzles, so behaviour games, tricks, working trials etc, would help to stimulate it as well as various scent trails that can be placed around the garden.
This dog needs obedience work and any owner must be prepared to take the dog to both Puppy Socializing and also further obedience classes - socialization must be kept up and to satisfy the high levels and the intelligence of the dog, activities such as herding, trials and agility are also recommended.
The Australian Cattle Dog can be the friendliest of companions although it has been known to respond to danger, without the owner requesting, and protect them from a perceived threat.
This breed was taught to nip the heels of reluctant cattle, and it may do this is not treated correctly, or if herding the children in the home.
This dog can be aggressive if not correctly socialized and trained. Surveys of US breed club members showed that both dog and stranger directed aggression were higher in the ACD than the average breeds studied.
Should you have 2 of the same, or 2 pups together?
On average the Border Terrier does not tend to be aggressive to other dogs, however you must make sure that your dog has been well socialized so that it will accept another dog into the home.
When it comes to which sex get on better, your best bet is one male and one female (both sterilized), or 2 males together. Never two females. The vast majority of the time two females will get on well until about 8 - 9 months of age and thenm fighting for position tends to occur. When males have the odd altercation, it tends to be over quickly, but with females, it just intensifies and often the only solution is for one of the females to be rehomes. This is not just for this breed, but in general.
Having two pups from same litter is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family.Your pup should be at least 5 months old, before you consider bringing in another pup. This allows the pups to grow to their full potential and not become over dependent on one another. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
On average the Border Terrier does not tend to be aggressive to other dogs, however you must make sure that your dog has been well socialized so that it will accept another dog into the home.
When it comes to which sex get on better, your best bet is one male and one female (both sterilized), or 2 males together. Never two females. The vast majority of the time two females will get on well until about 8 - 9 months of age and thenm fighting for position tends to occur. When males have the odd altercation, it tends to be over quickly, but with females, it just intensifies and often the only solution is for one of the females to be rehomes. This is not just for this breed, but in general.
Having two pups from same litter is not a good idea. Most people think that the pups will be happier with a playmate and won’t fight if they are family.Your pup should be at least 5 months old, before you consider bringing in another pup. This allows the pups to grow to their full potential and not become over dependent on one another. The truth of the matter is that your two pups are likely to:
Bond with each other to the exclusion of you
- Will stress without the other dog being around
- Fight with each other
- Be more destructive and boisterous
- Two pups together often leads to one being more assertive and the other more submissive. This could well end up in a situation where the more submissive dog will never develop its full potential.
- Mature later
Do they get on with other dogs?
They can do if they were raised with other dogs from being a pup and the necessary socialization done. However, as with the Bullie breeds, this dog does better as an only dog, especilly as it is so close to its owner that resource guarding could occur, resulting in squabbles or fights.
Do they get on with other dogs?
They can do if they were raised with other dogs from being a pup and the necessary socialization done. However, as with the Bullie breeds, this dog does better as an only dog, especilly as it is so close to its owner that resource guarding could occur, resulting in squabbles or fights.
Do they get on with other animals?
When the ACD is raised with ohter small animals such as cats, it can learn to live with them, however it does have a very high prey drive, and especially is another animal runs, it may give chase.
When the ACD is raised with ohter small animals such as cats, it can learn to live with them, however it does have a very high prey drive, and especially is another animal runs, it may give chase.
Are they good with children?
As a herding dog, there will always be the chance that the dog will try to herd and chase children and may even nip them on their heels. When brought up with children, he can be very good with them, although best suited to a family with older children.
As a herding dog, there will always be the chance that the dog will try to herd and chase children and may even nip them on their heels. When brought up with children, he can be very good with them, although best suited to a family with older children.
Health
The Aussie is prone to hereditary deafness, which is believed to be because the breed carries a recessive piebald gene, which often leads to deafness.
Other diseases they are prone to are PRA (Progessive Reginal Atrophy) which can lead to blindness. HD (Hip Dysplasia) is seen, but not often and breeders are very careful with breeding programs in order not to carry this forward.
Other conditions are Spondyloses, elbow dysplasia, arthritis and reproductive concers such as pyometra.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
The Aussie is prone to hereditary deafness, which is believed to be because the breed carries a recessive piebald gene, which often leads to deafness.
Other diseases they are prone to are PRA (Progessive Reginal Atrophy) which can lead to blindness. HD (Hip Dysplasia) is seen, but not often and breeders are very careful with breeding programs in order not to carry this forward.
Other conditions are Spondyloses, elbow dysplasia, arthritis and reproductive concers such as pyometra.
“In today’s age, with the rising cost of veterinary care, it really is a wise decision to consider medical insurance for your pets. Depending on the plan you choose, you can ensure that if your pet does develop one of the health issues the breed is prone too, that you will be covered –additionally, just knowing that any accident your pet may have will be covered, will out-weigh the monthly insurance fee for most pet owners. Our own personal choice is Genricpet as they have a ‘no limit’ policy and their rates are comparable to the rest of the industry. To find out the questions and things to look for in a Medical Insurance, please just follow this link”
Do’s and Dont’s
Do’s
Don’t
Do’s
- Do get your pup from a KUSA registered breeder and do read the articles on Breeders and also choosing a pup
- Sterilize at approximately 6 months of age.
- Do take your pup for socialization - pups should start at 8 weeks of age and this should not be missed - lays the foundation for future social interactions.
- Do continue the socialiazation - keeps solid social skills in place
- Give daily, regular exercise which this breed really needs it
- Supply chew toys and mental stimulation when left alone.
- Allow your dog to be part of the family
- Give regular brushing and annual vacs.
- Supply mental games such as behaviour games, scenting games etc in the garden to mentally stimulate this breed.
- Take your dog for basic training and keep simple house rules in place
Don’t
- Don't use aversive training methods.
- Leave this breed outside alone – behaviour problems will develop