Australian Cattle Dog

Choosing an Australian Cattle Dog

AKA Blue Heeler, Red Heeler, Queensland Heeler

The Australian Cattle Dog was bred as a herding dog and
used for cattle droving in Australia. This lively dog breed makes a fantastic pet for the right household. As always, when choosing a dog breed it is important to understand breed characteristics to ensure your requirements match the dog’s character! Here is an overview of Australian Cattle Dog behaviour / characteristics, and pros and cons of choosing an Australian Cattle Dog as a pet:

Australian Cattle Dog behaviour / characteristics

• Intelligent
• Loyal
• Protective (of owner/family)
• Alert
• Mischievous (they can be, though training can help with this)

Australian Cattle Dogs as pets

Pros

• Extremely protective of family and very tough, they WILL protect you
• Australian Cattle Dogs do not suffer as much from hereditary health problems as other pure breeds
• Australian Cattle Dogs do not require much bathing as they do not emit a strong 'doggy smell' that other dog breeds are prone to
• Their intelligence makes them easy to train and great for agility and games
• The oldest dog ever was an Australian Cattle Dog, so expect yours to be in the family a long time

Cons

• Without enough exercise and mental stimulation, an Australian Cattle Dog will cause trouble, so they don't make good pets for very quiet households
• Australian Cattle Dogs have been bred to bite, so don't be surprised if you get a little nip now and again (therefore this breed is not ideal for households with small children)
  
• This dog breed is very territorial and will defend what's theirs, no matter how big the challenger is!
• Stubbornness can be a problem though again, with good training from an early age, this can be well managed

Australian Cattle Dog training

Whenever you're choosing a dog breed, it's important to consider training your pet. This benefits both owner and dog - if you're happy, your dog is happy and vice-versa. It is a good idea to consult an expert on Australian Cattle Dog behaviour and training before you take one on as a pet.

Australian Cattle Dogs can be wonderful pets, though this is up to the owner more than the dog - ensure that your household offers a suitable environment and that you can provide the time and commitment necessary to raise a well-behaved pet!

Australian Cattle Dog

Australian Cattle Dogs are a mysterious breed of dog. Mysterious in that their origins are not completely known.

They are said to have been seen as early as the late nineteenth century. Developed in Australia, Australian Cattle Dogs were bred from Dingos and also go by the names of Queensland Heeler, Blue Heeler, and Red Heeler.

These friendly, feisty, playful dogs make great pets. Their herding heritage means they love to play fetch and run around!

Australian Cattle Dogs are lively dogs. They are great companions and you’ll never be bored with one around.

Don’t forget the Australian Cattle Dog if you’re choosing a dog breed.