Australian Cattle dog

Today we will talk about the very alert and intelligent dog the Australian Cattle dog. This Australian originated breed of dog which is mostly blue is also known as blue heelers. These loyal companions are not aggressive and good for children. So, while having your morning or evening tea have a look and read this article.

Introduction

• The blue heelers is a breed of dog that is clever, active, and strong.
• They were created by Australian settlers to handle large herds of cattle on large farms, and they’re still employed as herding dogs today.
• They like having a task to complete and taking part in all of the activities of the household.

Second Name

The second name for Australian cattle dog is Blue Heelers.

History

• It was created when a cattle farmer from New South Wales named Thomas Hall crossed tamed dingoes with dogs employed as herders in Northumberland, possibly smooth coated collies.
• Halls Heelers was the name given to the dogs that came from this cross-breeding.

Characteristic

• Scientific Name: Canis lupus familiaris
• Origin: Australia
• Coat: Double coat with short and straight hairs
• Coat Color:  Blue and red, blue and tan
• Weight: 35 – 50 pounds
• Height: Males are 18- 20 inches in length, and females are 17-19 inches tall
• Lifespan: 13 -15 years
• Personality: Loyal, protective, and hardworking
• Intelligence: Extremely alert and intelligent
• Hypoallergenic: No

Behavior 

Sensitivity Level

• Like other dogs, they can easily catch skin infections.
• Bacterial and viral infections are common in them.

Kid-friendly

• These loyal companions are not aggressive and might be a wonderful match for families with children.
• They have a very low barking tendency.

Other pet friendly

• Australian Cattle dog gets along well with other dogs in the house, especially if he’s been raised with them since he was a puppy.
• Otherwise, you should have an eye on them.

Aggressive

• It is a non-aggressive breed.
• They are, however, brave and will defend them if necessary.

Care They Need

Food & Diet

• Their diet includes salmon and tuna, organ meats, and complex carbohydrates.
• For carbohydrates, you can use sweet potato, brown rice, barley, and quinoa.
• It is advised that you should meet the daily requirements of your pet. So, let me tell you feed your Australian cattle dog with 1.5 to 2.5 cups of high-quality dry food divided into two meals per day.

Exercise

• They are extremely active, and they frequently demand at least two hours of daily activity.
• Running is essential for the dog’s physical well-being. For most cattle dogs, a walk around the block — or even several blocks — is inadequate exercise.
• When you’re at home, fetch games (ball, Frisbee, etc.) are a great way to get some exercise.

Training

• Training is essential for your pet to become a nice family dog.
• An Australian Cattle Dog’s ease of training adds to his suitability as a family pet.
• They have distinct temperament characteristics to be mindful of as a result of their breed development.

Grooming

• Bathing and brushing play a very important part in grooming.
• To keep the coat clean and limit the dog odor, this determined dog can be bathed every other week up to no more than once every eight weeks.
• The foundation for achieving healthy skin and coat is the coat’s care and maintenance.

Read Also: American Water Spaniel- Description, History, and Care

Health Problems

Like all dogs breed they are also prone to many diseases. In this piece, we will find out some of the diseases from which they suffer. Continue reading to find out more.

• Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA)
• Canine hip dysplasia (CHD)
• Dysplasia
• Deafness
• Osteochondrosis (OCD)

Apart from these, lens luxation, cataract, con Willebrand’s Disease (vWD), and Persistent Pupillary Membrane (PPM) are some of the disorders that can be noticed in them on occasion. As a result, it’s a good idea to have frequent eye, hip, elbow, and ear tests.

List of Mix-breed Dogs

• Aussimo0
• Pit Heeler
• Staffy Heeler
• Kelpie Heeler
• Texas Heeler
• Bernese cattle Dog
• Catahoula Heeler

Hairstyle

They don’t require much grooming. Bathing and brushing should be done regularly to reduce shedding and keep the skin and coat clean. However, they don’t need any hairdo or hairstyle.

Speed

They have a top speed of 25 miles per hour. Cattle Dogs have been recorded running at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour.

Rank

• The Blue Heelers, like many working dogs, have a high level of energy, an active mind, and a sense of independence.
• In Stanley Coren’s The Intelligence of Dogs, the breed is placed 10th as one of the most intellectual dogs based on obedience command trainability.

Read Also: American Staffordshire terrier- Dog breed and their care

To Buy/Adopt 

• The cost of purchasing a blue heelers ranges from $250 to $3,000, depending on the breed.
• From the dog’s exact family history to the breeder’s location, a variety of factors might influence pricing.
• Adopting blue heelers is less expensive than buying one, but for the best results, look for a breed-specific rescue.

Babies

The Blue Heelers litter can have ranged from one to seven puppies. Their puppies need an adequate amount of protein and fats due to their growing age.

Price

A reputable breeder can expect to charge between $400 and $700 for a pet-quality Australian Cattle Dog puppy.

Overview

• It was bred to perform difficult duties and are exceptionally alert, clever, observant, and courageous.
• They are extremely trustworthy and dependable, with a strong feeling of responsibility.
• They are loyal to their owners and wary of outsiders, and when used as a watchdog, they are extremely protective, but they do not bark.

Good and Bad About Them

Good

• They are good loyal and trustworthy dogs.
• They are a good watchdog and are very protective of their families.
• Training them is an easy task for owners.

Bad

• When it comes to other dogs of the same sex, many Australian Cattle dogs are dominant or aggressive.
• They may become suspicious of everyone if they are not carefully socialized, which is extremely difficult to live with.

Fun Facts

• They are highly intelligent and alert. To utilize all much intelligence, they’ll need a lot of training and exercise.
• They have a water-resistant coat and this coat keeps them dry in the rain. They have an undercoat as well as an outercoat.
• You might be shocked to learn that heelers are born with an all-white coat. This characteristic is most likely inherited from their Dalmatian ancestors. Puppies get colorful quickly, and by six weeks, you can see their pattern.
• The term ‘heeler’ refers to a position that involves biting at cattle’s heels to drive them. Because cattle are rowdier and larger than sheep, attracting their attention— and respect—requires a unique kind of dog.

Reference Link

• https://g.co/kgs/t1VdAh

Australian cattle dog-FAQ’s