Australian Cattle Dog Dogs and Puppies Canada
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Australian Cattle Dog Breed History:
In 1840, Queensland resident George Elliot began experimenting with crossing the native Dingo with Scottish blue merle Collie dogs, in hopes of breeding a skillful herding dog that was better-suited to the Australian terrain and environment. The resulting puppies, called the Hall's Heelers, quickly gained the notice of local cattle men and were purchased as working dogs, where they gained recognition for their natural herding skills. To date, it is the Australian Cattle Dog who is given credit for the booming beef trade in Australia; this unique and skillful dog providing ranchers the ability to handle large herds of cattle on open terrain.
Two brothers, Jack and Harry Bagurst, decided to try and improve upon the breed even further and, in an attempt to make them more compatible with horses, introduced the horse-loving Dalmation to the bloodline. This produced the desired results, though a great deal of the original type was lost with the cross. Determined to maintain the dingo-like body style, they then crossed the speckled puppies to the black-and-tan Kelpie, another breed that was known for his herding abilities and rugged body style. It would be these two crosses that would not only create the desired dingo-like body type, but would also produce the characteristic black masking and uniquely speckled coat that the Australian Cattle Dog possesses today.
Australian Cattle Dog Appearance:
The Australian Cattle Dog, not to be confused with the Australian Shepherd, is a unique breed, bearing a strong resemblance to their wild cousins, the Dingo. They are a hardy-looking breed, ideally suited for life in the bush and their dark eyes sparkle with a keen intelligence. The Australian Cattle dog stands an average of 17-20 inches high at the shoulder and is a lithely muscular canine with an average of about 30-50 pounds at adulthood.
The Queensland Heeler, as he is often known as in his home country, is a uniquely-colored dog, easily recognized by his prominently masked face and his coarse coat of mingled speckle and roaned hairs. They only come in two color varieties - the blue and the red, though the blue variety is most common.
Australian Cattle Dog Temperament:
The Australian Cattle Dog was bred specifically as a working breed and, as if he knew this, it seems that most of these dogs take their jobs very seriously. Very dedicated to their work and very athletic, the Australian Cattle Dog has a keen eye for detail and a strong tendency to 'work' when they aren't even on the job. Herding other pets and people seem to be a natural past-time and it's not uncommon for a Blue Heeler to start herding the kids around where he thinks they belong.
While very loyal to his owner, the Australian Cattle Dog is often very wary of other people and this wariness can give room to skittishness or the tendency to nip. Judging strongly frowns upon this and any show dog of this breed must display a good even temperament or risk disqualification. Buying from reputable and experienced breeders will help to ensure that you find a dog of quality temperament and good health. Avoid any animals that show extreme aggression or timidness.
Australian Cattle Dog Exercise Information:
The Australian Cattle Dog, or Queensland Heeler, is an athletic dog that was bred specifically as a working animal. His temperament is that of a worker and these dogs tend to have a get-up and go attitude. Rarely do you find a Blue Heeler that's content to laze around all day; if anything, you're more likely to find one that will keep you on the go, trying to keep up with him.
Because Australian Cattle Dogs are so athletic and highly intelligent, failing to meet their exercise needs can result in hyperactivity and destructive behavior. Resorting to anything from worrying the cat to destroying furniture, a bored Cattle Dog is not something many want to encounter. For this reason, it's recommended that your Australian Cattle Dog have access to a large fenced-in yard or frequent trips to the local dog park. Daily walks are seldom enough for these canine athletes, so be forewarned, should you be interested in such a breed.
Australian Cattle Dog Grooming Needs:
With a medium-length coat, the Australian Cattle Dog requires a weekly or bi-weekly brushing in order to remove any dead hairs or dander from his skin, but maintenance of these beautiful dogs is minimal. Provided they are fed a quality food and plenty of fresh water, the Queensland Heeler is a relatively low shedder and will usually do quite well with a monthly bath. A good healthy Heeler's coat will shine and require very little upkeep!
Regular checks of the Heeler's ears should be made, ensuring there is no buildup of excess wax, foul-smelling discharge, or redness present. Care should be made when cleaning the ears never to put anything down into the ear canal. A soft Q-tip may be used to clean dirt from the outer parts of the ear but care should be taken as many dogs dislike this tickling sensation.
Australian Cattle Dog Training
The Australian Cattle Dog is a highly intelligent dog, but can also be a very stubborn individual. Training these dogs can either be very easy or a definite difficulty, depending on your individual canine companion and your personal training methods. Persistence and patience are two words to keep in mind, when training a Queensland Blue Heeler.
Obedience courses work very well with these dogs and individuals who do not have the opportunity to live in a 'working' environment, like they were bred for, usually benefit from classes that will challenge them. When dealing with an Australian Cattle Dog, bear in mind that they can be somewhat timid and care should be taken never to strike or yell at your dog - doing so will only make him more uncooperative. Routine and positive reinforcement will work best when training these unique dogs.
Australian Cattle Dog Health Information:
The Australian Cattle Dog is a relatively healthy and long-lived breed. With an average life expectancy of 12 to 15 years, with many dogs living well beyond that age, the longest-lived dog (as recorded in the Guinness Book of World Records) is an Australian Cattle Dog who reportedly lived to the ripe old age of 29 (in human years)!
No breed of dog, however, is without genetic defects or health concerns. Fortunately, the Australian Cattle Dog has relatively few threats to his general well-being. These include, but are not limited to:
Hip Dysplasia
Deafness
Juvenile Cataracts
Progressive Retinal Atrophy (PRA)
Is the Australian Cattle Dog The Right Breed For You:
The Australian Cattle Dog is a wonderful canine and cannot be beaten when it comes to the job he was specifically bred to do. Capable of driving large herds of cattle over open terrain, they are quick, athletic and highly intelligent canines. This does not, however, mean that the Queensland Heeler is the perfect dog for everyone.
Bred as a hardy working dog, the Australian Cattle Dog is ill-suited for apartment style living, nor does he take well to being a pampered house pet. He enjoys herding and being on the go - dogs who are deprived of this opportunity tend to show their frustrations by acting out in destructive manners and showing a strong tendency to be high strung and hyper active.
If you're considering a Blue Heeler for a pet, please realize that these unique dogs take a good amount of one-on-one time and attention in order to keep them happy. They require quite a bit of exercise and they have a tendency to be very wary or skittish around strangers. While they can make the perfect pet for the right person, careful thought should be given to whether or not the Australian Cattle Dog is the right breed for you.
Australian Cattle Dog Puppies
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If you are ready to make a lifelong commitment to that perfect Australian Cattle Dog puppy, your next step is to locate the most responsible and reputable Australian Cattle Dog dog breeder you can find. We sincerely hope that our Australian Cattle Dog dog breed profile will assist you in your search for your new puppy, and help you avoid acquiring a puppy from any source other than a responsible Australian Cattle Dog breeder. |
A Responsible Australian Cattle Dog Puppy Breeder:
- Is a die-hard dog lover who breeds out of a sincere desire to perpetuate and improve upon the Australian Cattle Dog dog breed.
- Is very well educated about the breed(s) they offer and the breed's traits, both desirable and undesirable.
- Adheres to a highly selective breeding program which focuses on health, temperament and conformation.
- Breeds only healthy, conformationally correct dogs with sound temperaments that are registered with the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) or, if from another country, with that country's authorative dog breed registry.
- Treats the dogs in their breeding home as members of the family, and does not constantly confine these dogs to crates, kennels or other pens.
- Has breeding dogs carefully screened for hereditary and other canine disorders prior to breeding.
- Whelps puppies indoors and ensures that puppies are well socialized, given proper nutrition and receive plenty of love and play.
- Offers and stands behind a reasonable health guarantee.
- Has a spay or neuter requirement on all puppies placed in pet homes.
- Is committed to each Australian Cattle Dog puppy for life, and will re-home or take back a puppy if you cannot fulfill your commitment for any reason.
- Is happy to answer any questions you may have about the Australian Cattle Dog dog breed or their dogs and puppies.
- Carefully screens potential puppy buyers to ensure that Australian Cattle Dog puppies are placed only in loving, responsible forever homes.
Avoid Buying Your Australian Cattle Dog Puppy From:
- A Pet Store.
- A Newspaper Ad.
- An online classifieds site.
- The side of the road.
- A parking lot.
- A friend or neighbour, unless they are an experienced and responsible Australian Cattle Dog dog breeder.
- Any breeder with whom you do not feel 100% comfortable; you will be in contact with this person for the life of your dog or puppy.
Canada, like the US and the UK, has more than it's share of puppy mills. If you do not know what a puppy mill is, then please click here to read about this inhumane industry where dogs are treated as livestock, and puppies as merchandise. In addition to supporting an industry that thrives on the cruel mistreatment of dogs and puppies, by buying a puppy from a pet store, newspaper ad or online classifieds site is setting yourself and your family up for a heap of heartache.
Puppy mill puppies are generally more expensive than puppies from a reputable breeder, and can have numerous health, temperament and behavioural problems as a result of the conditions in which they were conceived, born and raised. Usually this results in taking on a family member with health problems that will cause ongoing additional veterinary costs, behavioural problems that may pose a hazard to your family, friends and neighbours, and, at worst, you may fall in love with a sickly puppy that will eventually need to be humanely euthanized.
The Australian Cattle Dog dog breeders that are showcased on Dogs and Puppies Canada have undergone our own screening process, in an effort to ensure that we promote only highly reputable breeders, and keep puppy mills and backyard breeders from advertising with us. These breeders share our philosophy on what is a responsible breeder, and have agreed to abide by these guidelines for conduct.
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Responsible Canadian Australian Cattle Dog Dog Breeders
Additional Australian Cattle Dog Information Resources
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Australian Cattle Dog Dog Breeders:
