Breed Characteristics

Read the Australian Cattle Dog Breed Standard via the Kennel Club

The Cooley's TBone & Flo (Warrigal Blue Jamberoo and Rosy Red Ruby), April 2009

Strengths

They are courageous, tough as nails and extremely intelligent. Also protective of property and a devoted family dog. They have great strength and endurance and are one of the most “natural” breeds of domesticated dog, with very little incidence of the common hereditary problems.They make an ideal house-dog as they need very little bathing and with regular grooming don’t have the usual “doggy” smell that other breeds suffer from.They have the intelligence, agility and ‘nose’ to successfully train for any of the obedience, agility and trailing hobbies.They are the longest lived dog on record – “Bluey” died in 1939 at the ripe old age of 29 years and 5 months. He worked cattle and sheep for 20 years before he retired.

Weaknesses

If not exercised enough, both mentally and physically, then this spells TROUBLE!!! They have been bred to bite for generations so don’t be surprised if you receive the odd nip in moments of excitement (or when your children run).Very territorial and can tend to be unsociable towards strange dogs – doesn’t care if it’s three times its size!! Can be stubborn and intractable if handled/trained wrongly. They are not the ideal dog for the first time dog owners. Needs someone who has had previous experience and knowledge of dogs – and knows what they are letting themselves in for!

Special Needs

They can live on the smell of an oily rag and will literally eat anything. Whatever quantity a dog food manufacturer recommends for this size of dog – half it!They make a great mate and companion and their only desire in life is to spend every minute of the day with their owner – do not make good outside dogs with no interaction.

Desired Environment

Not suited to a sedentary city life on a small section, or to being left at home for long periods, that is unless you don’t mind coming home to a house and it’s contents in turmoil, or the garden looking like a mine field. Most suited to a working home. If not on a farm working cattle, then one where it will be worked in other fields, such as obedience, agility, trailing, etc. Good with kids, but supervision a necessity while it’s a pup, as the working trait to nip at heels and bottoms when excited has to be controlled and curbed.