Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dog

The Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized, short-coated dog. It has either brown or black hair distributed fairly evenly through a white coat, which gives the appearance of a red or blue dog. In both red and blue dogs the most common are masks over one or both eyes, a white tip to the tail, a solid spot at the base of the tail and solid spots on the body.

About Australian Cattle Dog in brief

Summary Australian Cattle DogThe Australian Cattle Dog is a medium-sized, short-coated dog that occurs in two main colour forms. It has either brown or black hair distributed fairly evenly through a white coat, which gives the appearance of a red or blue dog. It was originally bred to herd by biting, and is known to nip running children. In both red and blue dogs the most common are masks over one or both eyes, a white tip to the tail, a solid spot at the base of the tail and solid spots on the body. The most common health problems are deafness and progressive blindness and accidental injury; otherwise, it is a robust breed with a lifespan of 12 to 14 years. In the 19th century, New South Wales cattle farmer Thomas Hall crossed the dogs used by drovers in his parents’ home county, Northumberland, with dingoes he had tamed. The resulting dogs were known as Halls Heelers. After Hall’s death in 1870, the dogs became available beyond the Hall family and their associates. They were subsequently developed into two modern breeds: the Australian C cattle dog and the Australian Stumpy Tail Cattle dog. The Australian C cow dog is a sturdy, muscular, compact dog that gives the impression of agility and strength. It is easy to groom and maintain, requiring little more than brushing during the shedding period. The dog should be longer than tall, that is, the length of the body from breast bone to buttocks is greater than the height at the withers, in a ratio of 10 to 9.

There are two accepted coat colours, red andblue. Chocolate and cream are considered to be faults. Both red dogs andblue dogs are born white and the red hairs show 4-weeks of age as they grow and mature. The distinctive colour of black or white adult dogs is not merleation, but rather the result of the ticking, which is the presence of a number of genes that will modify the size, shape and density of the dog. In addition to the primary colouration, an AustralianCattle Dog displays some patches of solid or near-solid black or solid white patches on its body, though the overall effect depends on other genes that modify the shape, size, density and shape of the animal. The female Australian Cello Dog measures approximately 43–48 centimetres at thewithers,. and the male measures about 46–51 centimetre at the witherings. The neck and shoulders are strong and muscular; the forelegs are straight and parallel; and the feet round and arched, with small, sturdy toes and nails. The ears are pricked, small to medium in size and set wide apart, with a covering of hair on the inside. The eyes are oval and dark, with an alert, keen expression. The head has a broad skull that flattens to a definite stop between the eyes, with muscular cheeks and aMedium-length, deep, powerful muzzle.