Australian Cattle Dog
A tough, quick-thinking cattle dog built for heat and hard work, loyal to its person and happiest when busy.
At a glance
- Size
- Medium
- Height at the withers
- Males 46–51 cm · Females 43–48 cm
- Weight
- Males 15–22 kg · Females 14–20 kg
- Life expectancy
- 12–16 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Double coat, short
- Colours
- Blue, Red
- Bred for
- Herding, Guarding
- Country of origin
- Australia
- FCI
- Group 1, no. 287 · Sheepdogs & cattle dogs
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 2/5 – Low |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 5/5 – Very high |
| Playfulness | 4/5 – High |
| Needs mental stimulation | 5/5 – Very high |
| Easy to train | 4/5 – High |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 4/5 – High |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- are very active and outdoorsy
- want a hardy dog for sport or farm work
- enjoy training a clever dog
Think twice if you …
- have small children who run and squeal
- want a laid-back companion
- can't provide daily mental work
Care
Temperament
Alert, determined and very loyal, often attaching most to one person. It tends to be cautious with strangers and can be bossy with other dogs. It has a strong instinct to nip at heels.
Exercise
Needs at least an hour or two of vigorous activity daily, plus mental work. Herding, agility, canicross, flyball and long hikes suit it well.
Grooming
Low-maintenance short coat: brush weekly, and more often during the seasonal shed when it loses its undercoat.
Training
Very capable but independent; it needs clear, consistent, reward-based training from the start. Redirect heel-nipping early and keep training interesting.
Health
Congenital deafness, progressive retinal atrophy, primary lens luxation and hip or elbow dysplasia are known in the breed. Ask the breeder for BAER hearing, eye, hip and elbow results and DNA test results for the parents.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Eye examination
- Hearing (BAER)
DNA tests
- PRA (prcd)
- PLL
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Australian Cattle Dog was developed in the 19th century to move half-wild cattle over long distances in the Australian bush. Breeders combined imported collie-type dogs with the dingo and later other breeds to get a dog that worked quietly, nipped at heels and coped with heat.
It is a hardy, compact dog with stamina to spare. At home it often bonds closely with one person and keeps an eye on everything that happens. It needs daily physical and mental work; under-used, it may herd children, chase bikes or find its own projects. For an active owner it is a loyal and capable partner.
Did you know?
An Australian Cattle Dog named Bluey, who died in 1939 at 29 years and 5 months, long held the Guinness record for the oldest dog.