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AUSTRALIAN
CATTLE DOG
Characteristics,
care, health & breeder listings below
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Quote
from an Owner
The
Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized, double-coated herding dog
developed in the late 1800s by ranchers in Australia who needed a dog
that could work on the wild herds of cattle in the Outback.
Temperature and terrain extremes necessitated a tough, intelligent, hardy dog. The origins of the breed began with
a cross between the
dingo (Australia's native wild dog) and a now-extinct British herding dog
called the Smithfield Collie. Fine tuning
desired
traits was done with crosses of Bull Terrier, Dalmatian, and a blue
merled smooth-coated herder related to today's Smooth Collie.
Today's Australian Cattle Dog is a natural herder, a droving dog that
can work in Outback conditions or stockyard pens, who can heel the
largest steer with a well-placed bite and has the agility to duck a
well-aimed kick by an irate cow.
Strong,
intelligent, brave and loving, the Australian Cattle Dog is all
these-and more.
~Carol Anne Kriesel |
| AKC
Height:
Ideally,
dogs 18" to 20" - bitches 17" to 19". Color: There
are only two recognized colors of Australian Cattle Dogs--blue (a
combination of gray, black, and silver/white) and red (a combination
of red, brown, and silver/white)--and both these colors must have an
overlay of silver or white guard hairs. Markings include half
and full masks (solid black on blue or solid red on red), the white
forehead or Bentley mark, speckling or mottling, and ringed or solid
tails. Eyes must be as dark brown as possible and full
dentition with a scissors bite is required. |
| Basic
Requirements: An
average-sized yard with room to run and play. A strong, 6' fence is
needed. Weekly brushing will help to control shedding.
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| Temperament:
Temperament
is aloof with strangers and instinctively protective of home and
family. The Australian Cattle Dog is adaptable to whomever
and whatever environment it encounters. This is NOT a breed
for everyone. Talking with reputable owners, breeders, and
exhibitors is a must if planning on acquiring a puppy of this
breed.
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| Health:
(Click here for Health
Dictionary) There are health
issues in this breed that some breeders are willing to discuss; hip
dysplasia, deafness, and PRA are the problems that are being worked
on. Some breeders will not discuss health issues or temperament
problems; it doesn't mean they don't have them. |
Australian
Cattle Dog Club of America www.acdca.org
Australian
Cattle Dog Social Club of North Queensland (Australia)
http://www.wolfweb.com.au/acd/
New
Puppy ebook you can read on your computer
Need
help buying a puppy?
Tips
from experts on choosing a breed and breeder,
picking
a healthy pup, care, feeding, training, more.
Photos:
left:
Ch Snow's Miami Vice, HIC
right:
Snow's Magnificent Maddie
owner:
Carol Anne Kriesel
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HOUSEBREAKING
PROBLEMS?
End
messes with absorbent belly bands.
Also
great for adult dogs.
~~~~~~~~~~
~~~~~~~~~~
 Australian
Cattle Dog New
Puppy Essentials
Follow
the link to find out what you'll need to have on hand before bringing
home your new puppy.
~~~~~~~~~~
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The listings below are from
Google, not Dog-breeds.net. Please research your breeder
carefully. Tips
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